Official Review: Boundaries by Leslie Daniels

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any non-fiction books such as autobiographies or political commentary books.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
e-tasana-williams
Posts: 358
Joined: 13 May 2016, 18:50
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 141
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-e-tasana-williams.html
Latest Review: Monkey Mind Madness by Sharon Dorival
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Official Review: Boundaries by Leslie Daniels

Post by e-tasana-williams »

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Boundaries" by Leslie Daniels.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


By now, stories of sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy are not news. We are familiar with the numerous allegations brought against churches worldwide. In Boundaries by Leslie Daniels, readers are brought into the confidence of one of the victims as she describes the years of systematic violation she endured at the hands of a cleric in her Anglican church.

Set in Canada in the 1960s, this autobiography depicts her five years of childhood sexual abuse by Reverend Talbot, starting at age thirteen and continuing through high school. Ms. Daniels is made to believe she is in a romantic relationship with the reverend, and suffers all the guilty feelings that go along with that dysfunction. On the occasions when she tries to defend herself, the rector treats her as an accomplice and to blame for her own demise. She writes "I still saw the rector as my savior, but now also as my nemesis. I was afraid of him, but I needed him." (P.63)

More than just a tale of the actual violations, Boundaries also details the author's life story and how her destructive childhood affects her adulthood, even fifty years later. Each chapter opens with a short piece of prose related to Ms. Daniels' ongoing abuse and increasingly complex double life. Raised by neglectful parents and taught to keep her body's development secret, she does not feel she can go to anyone with the information of her violations. She comes to feel that Reverend Talbot is all-powerful, and that no one will help her even if she has the courage to tell. She writes "With every thought, it became clear that his word was law, the truth." (P.43)

Boundaries is emotionally difficult to read. The prolonged abuse endured by Ms. Daniels is appalling, even though it is not unique. What I had not read about before is the guilt felt by the victims due to their own body's natural responses to touch, even though the victim is afraid and not complicit. The author expertly depicts this added layer of humiliation and shame.

As I read the autobiography I was astounded by Reverend Talbot's boldness and lack of shame. I found myself wondering if there was a network of clerics committing the same crimes against children nationwide, since there are so many stories similar to Ms. Daniels' experience. Did they give each other advice on how to lure children into their sadistic web? How could prolonged, systematic abuse happen on such a grand scale? It is not news, but the content of the book still enraged me.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The editing is superb and the story, although disturbing, is enthralling. Readers who like autobiographies of abuse survivors will appreciate this book. Beware, though, the author describes her repeated victimizations in detail. You may need to read this book in small parts, as the depictions can be overwhelming. Kudos to Ms. Daniels for her bravery and perseverance through an ordeal that could have destroyed her completely, and for sharing her story.

******
Boundaries
View: on Bookshelves

Like e-tasana-williams's review? Post a comment saying so!
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free ~ Frederick Douglas
User avatar
Kdonegan91
Posts: 443
Joined: 17 Sep 2016, 14:04
Favorite Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 202">Never Cry Again</a>
Currently Reading: Ironbark Hill
Bookshelf Size: 75
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kdonegan91.html
Latest Review: "A Matter of Faith" by Duke Woodrick
Reading Device: 1400699169
fav_author_id: 19883

Post by Kdonegan91 »

First off, congrats to the author for such an excellent score and for having the courage and strength to write about such a tough time in her life. Being religious myself, this makes me sick to my stomach that such a religiously powerful man could take advantage of such an innocent young girl. I enjoyed reading your review but I'm going to pass on the book since the incidents are so detailed.
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. - Wayne Dyer
Latest Review: "A Matter of Faith" by Duke Woodrick
User avatar
greenstripedgiraffe
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 836
Joined: 22 Oct 2015, 10:47
Currently Reading: The New Strong-Willed Child
Bookshelf Size: 274
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-greenstripedgiraffe.html
Latest Review: Swarm by Guy Morris

Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

Thank you for the review. I, too, find this very disturbing. I know that these things occur, and I try diligently to protect my children from having them happen to them personally. But, I don't think I could handle this book. Good job on the review!
"no one down here" --- Up the Down Staircase
Latest Review: Swarm by Guy Morris
User avatar
Scott
Site Admin
Posts: 4068
Joined: 31 Jul 2006, 23:00
Favorite Author: Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
Currently Reading: The Unbound Soul
Bookshelf Size: 340
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-scott.html
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 960
fav_author_id: 248825

Post by Scott »

Great review @e-tasana-williams!

And congrats to the author, Leslie Daniels, on earning a perfect 4/4 rating! :)

Speaking of the author, I know she has said from her perspective that the abuse was a small percentage of the book. I know she sees the larger thrust of her book as being her dealings with the church, which she wrote with the intent to help others going through this same type of investigation.

I have't read the book, though. Not yet at least :)

e-tasana-williams, I am wondering if you agree that the abuse is actually small percentage of the book? Needless to say, I would not be surprised at all if the author has a different view than the reader on how the book feels to a reader. Well, actually even two readers often have very different reactions to the same book. I'm just curious about your thoughts on the matter since you read the book.
"That virtue we appreciate is as much ours as another's. We see so much only as we possess." - Henry David Thoreau

"Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco." Virgil, The Aeneid
User avatar
Insightsintobooks
Posts: 299
Joined: 29 Oct 2016, 10:44
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-insightsintobooks.html
Latest Review: "Gates to Tangier" by Mois Benarroch
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by Insightsintobooks »

I think this book sounds interesting. I'm not sure if be able to read it however due to my own history. I think that it could be helpful to survivors to see that they aren't alone. Thank you for the review. I'm glad to learn about this book.
Latest Review: "Gates to Tangier" by Mois Benarroch
User avatar
e-tasana-williams
Posts: 358
Joined: 13 May 2016, 18:50
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 141
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-e-tasana-williams.html
Latest Review: Monkey Mind Madness by Sharon Dorival
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by e-tasana-williams »

e-tasana-williams, I am wondering if you agree that the abuse is actually small percentage of the book? Needless to say, I would not be surprised at all if the author has a different view than the reader on how the book feels to a reader. Well, actually even two readers often have very different reactions to the same book. I'm just curious about your thoughts on the matter since you read the book.
Thanks for your comments!

I would say the actual abuse comprises 1/3 to 1/2 of the book. Even though the rest of the book isn't directly about abuse, it frequently refers back to it, and its effect on every aspect of her life.
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free ~ Frederick Douglas
Post Reply

Return to “Non-Fiction Books”