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Courage in Patience: A Story of Hope for Those Who Have Endured Abuse

Courage in Patience: A Story of Hope for Those Who Have Endured Abuse

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Courage in Patience: A Story of Hope for Those Who Have Endured Abuse

Author(s)

Beth Fehlbaum

Genre(s)

General Fiction

Age Range

12+

Release Date

September 01, 2008

ISBN

9781601641564

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After six years of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from her stepfather, 14-year-old Ashley finally finds the courage to reveal the painful details of her experiences with her mother, who refuses to acknowledge the problem and turns her back on her daughter. After confiding in her teacher—the only adult whom Ashley can trust—she is removed from her home and sent to live with her father and his second wife, Beverly, an English teacher. Nurtured by Beverly, an extraordinarily positive influence in her life, Ashley and a summer school class of troubled teens learn to face their fears and discover who they really are.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Ashley’s story is a powerful, gripping tale of survival in the face of abuse

September 05, 2016

Overall rating

4.3

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Ashley has suffered in silence for six years. Terrorized by her stepfather and living with the knowledge that her mother doesn’t believe her, Ashley succumbs her breaking point when the abuse reaches an all time high. When child protective services places her with her biological father, whom she’s never even met, she begins a long road to recovery and healing.
This trilogy has been on my TBR for a while and I’ll be honest, it wasn’t high on my list. I’m guilty of judging a book by its cover, and this one just didn’t appeal to me. That was my mistake. I finished the first book in one day. It was that good. Something about Ashley’s story pulled me in from the very first page and I was compelled to follow and understand her journey to healing. I’ve been rooting for her the whole way.
So many wonderful things about Ashley’s story resonate with absolute authenticity. You always hear the adage, “write what you know.” Clearly, this author has had experience dealing with abuse and recovery. Her passion for the victims of such tragic experiences oozes from the page.
However, some of the sub-plots explored just don't have that same level of authenticity as Ashley’s personal story. I appreciate the author’s attempt to address other social issues such as racism and equality—and it is done well—but it pales in comparison to the central story of Ashley’s journey. I found myself wishing the author would stay focused on Ashley. Specifically, the racial issues addressed come across as the stereotypical struggles one would think of happening in the southern United States during the Civil Rights movement fifty years ago, and not the more contemporary issues going on in the US today. The differences between the two paths of the story just don’t mesh quite as well as they could have.
Despite the minor issues mentioned, I still couldn’t put it down. Courage in Patience took me by surprise and I am eager to continue with Ashley’s struggle in book two, Hope in Patience.
This story is a must read for any young reader. The message of hope and perseverance in the face of an unimaginable hell will inspire all ages. Whether the reader is a victim of abuse or knows someone who is a victim, Courage in Patience will speak to them and show them that everyone is going through something and no one is alone.

Melissa A. Craven, Indie Manager Top 50 Reviewer 111 reviews

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2 reviews

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5.0

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A must read.

September 20, 2008

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by Hope.

I'm not even sure about where to begin about this book. It was wonderful, marvelous, excellent, outstanding, plus any more of these kinds of words you can think of. I've never read a book quite like this one: it explores many ideas, with the abuse being the major part of it, and the racism close behind it. When I was reading the back of the book when I received it, I was wondered whether this book would be any good, because it deals with all those areas that are listed. It turned out wonderfully. Beth Fehlbaum uses just the right amount of each of the issues and makes a wonderful book.

This book had me hooked from the first chapter. Beth's writing is really easy to read and it didn't seem forced at all. It is 347 pages of wonderful-ness that will make you not want to put the book down once while you're reading it.

This story really is a story of hope - for all people. Even if you have not been abused or suffered from racism, there are things you will be able to relate to - no matter who you are or where you live.

When you're at the bookstore or the library and see Courage in Patience, make sure to pick it up. It is an amazing story that will have you laughing out loud at some parts, crying at others, and will make you really think about things.

Guest #1 Reviewer

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A Story of Hope

September 05, 2008

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Since she was only nine years old, Ashley Asher has been sexually abused by her stepfather Charlie. Not knowing what to do about it and ashamed shes somehow responsible, Ash keeps this a secret until she can finally no longer keep it in, six years later. However, when Ash finally confronts her mom with the details of how her husband hurt her, her mother denies it, not willing to believe the man she loves could do such a horrible thing. The only people who offer any type of support are her best friend Lisa and her caring teacher Mrs. Chapman, who, as an adult working for the school, is legally obligated to report Ashs case to Child Protective Services. This is how Ash comes to live with her biological father David, a man she has had no contact with since she was three months old. Courage in Patience is a powerful and moving story about how one girl fought an internal struggle to overcome the emotional scars of abuse.

Courage in Patience is one of the best debut novels I have ever read. Ashleys story is such a sad and touching one. I was immediately sucked into Ashs story, about how she was abused by her stepfather and how that affected everything else in her life, especially her ability to trust. I became very attached to Ash, because she was such a real person; it made me feel so sad when she felt the effects of her abuse. I used quite a bit of tissues while reading this book, because it is just such a horrible thing that parents could betray their children in the way that Ashs mother and stepfather betrayed her. Yet, at the same time, there was David and his wife Beverly who were there to support Ash the whole way, which gave hope to Ashs character and the reader. But Ashleys story isnt the only one there is in this book. Through the summer school English class Bev teaches, Ash is able to interact with other teens that also happen to have problems, bringing up issues such as prejudice against race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. Sometimes it was a little distracting to have all those other small stories woven into Ashs journey, but in the end, it all came down to this: no matter who you are or what situation you are in, there is always hope and someone who can help you. The only part of this story that I felt was slightly out of place was Bevs secret from Ash about her past, because it was just so surprising; however, at the same time, it works perfectly to help Ash heal.

Ashs story is an unforgettable one, and a story that should be read by everyone. Its one of pain, hope, and the beauty of healing. Fehlbaums writing is authentic and raw and confronts important issues that arent addressed in most other novels. Courage in Patience appeals to teens as well as adults and is a story that can give everyone hope.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com

Guest #1 Reviewer