Stacy Kingsley
  • Home
  • The Books
  • Oh The Horror!
  • Bio
  • Contact

Book Review - THE ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD by Maude Julien

2/10/2020

0 Comments

 
The Only Girl in the World by Maude Julien is the non-fiction tale of her upbringing. She was raised by a controlling father and an absent, self-righteous mother. Throughout her telling of her childhood she goes into detail how her mother treated her, and how her father used every thing in his power to assert control over her. Maude grew up alone, in a large house, with no friends except a few animals, and sometimes, her mother.

This story does have some hard parts to read. There are a few detailed descriptions of sexual abuse, physiological abuse, and mental abuse. Maude's mother continually tells her that she hates her, and is jealous of the concern her husband has for Maude. She constantly tells Maude that she is trying too hard to get her father's attention, but she also laughs at times with Maude. The mother/daughter relationship is awkward and unloving, although it seems as though the mother does have feelings for her daughter, because of her own upbringing she doesn't know how to show or be appropriate to her daughter. Maude's mother was raised by Maude's father is a sort of incestuous grooming relationship.

The father seems to be the main abuser in this story, but throughout most of it, it seems as though he is a sad old man who is controlling because he has nothing better to do. There are several uncomfortable scenes, but throughout the mother seems to be crueler than the father. Included in the abusive, imprisoned upbringing, there are several instances of animal abuse. These instances are used to teach Maude and the animal, which further separates her and causes her to be depressed, self-abusive, and so very alone.

After saying all of this about the book, I do have to say that I didn't think it was as well written as it could have been. For a story of an abusive upbringing I felt that the author distanced herself too far from the situation, and this made the book a little flat. Yes, there were horrifying moments, but they didn't resonate as hard as they could have if there was some emotion behind them. I understand why the author has distanced herself, but this created a book that I didn't feel I could connect with, or feel for. There were few moments that I felt upset by what was happening, but most of these moments were things that happened to animals, so obviously the author has a strong connection with the animals.

I can't say I would or would not recommend this book. I think some people may be more disturbed by it than I was. I wanted to feel more, and some might not want to feel what the author was going through. However, that being said, it is an interesting look into a controlling, abusive, and dysfunctional family.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Stacy Kingsley

    Stacy has a lot on her mind, so sharing helps. She also has a great love of movies and books, so she decided to blog about it. Get her reviews here! 

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.