Audrey S. (auddiemae) - reviewed on 7/27/2012 + 63 more book reviews

Maybe I expected too much from the title: however, overall it was a disappointment to me, and I did not learn a lot about the religion itself from the book. I felt the abuse was more from the dysfunctional family than the religion itself.

The abuse Joy discusses is physical abuse inflicted from her step-father, both towards her mother, her brother and herself. Because of her strick belief system in the Jehovah's Witnesses church, her mother does not feel that she can leave the marriage, and the church is not helpful because he is a "leader" both in church, and as head of the family.

Joy's father, whom she loved, just left one day with another women. He remainded in the church, but was ex-communicated when he was found smoking cigarettes. However, her step-father was not condemmed although there was a lot of evidence of wife beating (bruses, etc.) Much of Joy's pain came from a father who abdononed them, and a step-mother who clearly made it known that she didn't like children.

Joy's mother slapped her and was distant at times, which was common in the 1960's. She did force her to go door-to-door to "earn" her way to heaven, and didn't allow her to participate in school celebrations such as birthday parties, christmas parties, etc.

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