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Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 14 Feb 2018, 03:18
by Rosemary Okoko
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Christian Home" by Jody Lynn Rutherford.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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The author, Jody Lynn Rutherford, gives us her real-life experience in her book, His Special Little Girl- Incest in a Christian Home. Jody was sexually abused by none other than her biological father, a man she loved and trusted. Her father kept reminding her that she was his special little girl whenever he abused her. Having undergone abuse from the tender age of three years, she believed that it was normal until she was much older. She learned at school that it was not only abnormal, but sinful. Her parents became active church members, and this confused her even more because her father did not stop the abuse. This became a well-kept secret till her father did the same to her eight year old niece, and later to a neighbor’s eight year old daughter. These little girls disclosed to their parents what Jody’s father did, and they decided to have the law take its course. Jody’s father emotionally abused his wife into a depression, and physically abused his sons by beating them so badly that they bled. Jody’s younger sister, Tammy, was not spared the sexual abuse.

This book is written with a narrative writing style in the first person perspective. It has about 200 pages. The author starts by narrating her real-life experience, and then shares with us letters written by her family members regarding their individual real-life experience with her father. They express their love for him, but have some dark moments too.

What I like most about this book is that Jody confidently opens up and gives us details of what she went through, not forgetting to tell us how she got affected by the acts. She gives hope to the sexually abused and provides contacts in case of need. I learned that this type of abuse at an early age has the consequence of affecting the health of the victim in later years. Jody, in this case, suffered from colonic inertia and pelvic flood dyssynergia, as an adult.

What I did not like about this book was the way I was left wondering why Jody allowed her daughter, Dawnie, as a child, to go for night rides with her grandfather, Jody’s father, after all the sexual abuse she had been subjected to by him as a child. Luckily, nothing bad happened to Dawnie and she expresses her gratitude and some guilt because some little girls were not as lucky. I was disturbed by the fact that when Jody moved out of her home, she did not inquire from her younger sister, Tammy, if their father was abusing her.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I cannot rate it lower because even though I came across some minor errors, this book was still an easy read for me. The formatting is well done and the narration flows. Apart from giving us websites and contacts in case help is to be sought, the author gives us her email address for direct contact and assures us of privacy.

I recommend this book to all. Children could undergo abuse without knowing where and how to get help. Adults need to know how to detect cases of sexual abuse and learn how to help the victims.

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His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Christian Home
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Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 20 Feb 2018, 20:57
by KFree_Reads
Very thorough review! Sexual abuse is never an easy topic to discuss. I truly admire the author's bravery. This is not an exciting topic to read about but one we must become aware of. For that reason I will be adding this book to my shelves. I truly liked the way you wrote your review. Your tone was so appropriate for the nature of the book.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 21 Feb 2018, 03:46
by Rosemary Okoko
I agree with you KFree_Reads that it is not easy to discuss sexual abuse. I congratulate the author for making the decision to write this book and doing it very well. Thank you KFree_Reads for your comments!

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 22 Feb 2018, 23:00
by DathanReeves
Given the subtitle, does faith play a part in the theme and story, or is it mostly there for shock? I have not read the book yet, so I only have your synopsis to go off of. Seeing how faith plays a great part in many peoples lives (my own included) I wondered if there was any significance outside the devastating irony.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 23 Feb 2018, 00:32
by Rosemary Okoko
Hi DathanReeves, faith does play a part in the theme. The author's family is very religious and they handled the situation the best way expected of them. Love and forgiveness are the main themes in this book.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 23 Feb 2018, 09:50
by kandscreeley
It's such a tragedy when things like this happen. Glad the author was able to share her story. Thanks for the review.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 23 Feb 2018, 10:15
by Rosemary Okoko
Thanks kandscreeley. I agree with your comments. It's unfortunate that it cannot be erased from the victim's mind.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 24 Feb 2018, 14:38
by CommMayo
This sounds like quite the memoir. I just read a memoir with a similar aim of trying to help others by sharing the messy story of one's past. It must take a lot of courage to put yourself out there in an attempt to help others who might be going through the same tragic things the author experienced.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 25 Feb 2018, 06:53
by Rosemary Okoko
That's true CommMayo. It's not easy to write such a book but very beneficial to those who have undergone the same tragedy. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 25 Feb 2018, 07:18
by Samy Lax
Finally an easy read! Would love to try this one out. Thank you for that wonderful review!

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 25 Feb 2018, 07:24
by Rosemary Okoko
It sure is an easy read Samy Lax. I believe you will appreciate the author's decision to help other victims. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 25 Feb 2018, 20:23
by Kat Berg
I am very glad that the book gives help resources as part of what is offered up. This is such a difficult subject, and the church has such a tragic and poor history around abuse in general, child sexual abuse in particular. I am very glad that they did not try to handle it "in-house", but a part of me is not at all surprised that she would let her daughter spend time in her father's company. To me, it is a misunderstanding of what it means to forgive, but not everyone sees it that way.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 26 Feb 2018, 00:17
by Rosemary Okoko
Hi Kat Berg, i agree with you when it comes to church history on child sexual abuse. It's been going on. Indeed this is a difficult subject to discuss and I'm glad that the author shared with us. Thank you for your comments.

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 14 May 2018, 06:35
by gali
A memoir revolving around sexual abuse and real-life experience sounds intense. That she was sexually abused by her biological father is horrible. Well done to her for sharing her story and trying to help others. It is good that the book was an easy read despite the minor errors. Thank you for the review!

Re: Official Review: His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Ch...

Posted: 14 May 2018, 06:52
by Mercy idowu
It not easy to put a story together. qudos! to you