Review of Remarkably Intact

[Faith - Benny Any]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Remarkably Intact" by Celia Belt.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Remarkably Intact is a non-fiction book by Celia Belt that was written from her personal experiences. She grew up in a very abusive environment. Stuck up with thoughts of her dad constantly abusing her mother physically at a very tender age, she assures herself that she will protect her. At 21 months of age, Celia got involved in a fire incident caused by her father's usual outbursts. The fire that badly burned her left her in a near-fatal state. She, however, underwent several surgeries in an attempt to get her normal skin back. Along the line, after many years, her father left them. Things became tough for her, her mum, and her younger siblings. She, however, picked up her broken pieces and struggled to do lots of jobs to put food on their table. As the journey proceeded, she discovered that she wasn't lucky with relationships. However, in the end, she was able to build her career and find true love.

I became emotional after I found out that the author started experiencing physical and sexual abuse by her father at a very young age. It must have felt like a horror movie to her; it must have instilled fear in her and it must have had a negative impact on her health. Hence, this book taught me that an abusive home is not a healthy place for children to be raised because its outcome on them is always negative. Such outcomes might include low self-esteem and the inability to love and trust people again. The writer's passion to succeed and her determination to be comfortable in her skin endeared me more to her story. It teaches us that we should be confident in our skin, and not try to change it into another person's own to gain acceptance from society.

I also admired the fact that the author used her life experiences to open a foundation that offers emotional and financial assistance to burn survivors and their family members. This has reduced their burdens, lowered their fears, and made them feel loved. Burn survivors are also humans; remember that they once had normal skin. We must all show them that we care. This book was also educative; I learned that burnt skin exposes the body to more cold compared to unburnt skin. Furthermore, despite all odds, she scaled through; this intrigued me.

Considering that I didn't dislike any aspect of this book and that it had soul-lifting content, it would have deserved a full star rating from me, but I found several errors, which would have been absent with more thorough editing. This made me change my initial decision. Hence, I then gave it a rating of three out of four stars.

I specifically recommend this book to burn survivors, their family members, and people experiencing physical and sexual abuse, because it will serve as a healing guide for them.

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Remarkably Intact
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Clare Jose]

I too reviewed this book and greatly enjoyed it. I totally agree with you in saying that the book contained soul-lifting content.
Great review!

[Amy Luman]

I don’t think this is for me. Sexual abuse, especially of children, is something I can’t even read about. Ms. Belt deserves points just for surviving. Thanks for the review!

[Umesh Bhatt]

The book seems to have a good story line. Thank you for the nice review.

[Georg Kelb]

I do not want to imagine how many horrors the author had to go through. Writing a book about your pain is really inspiring and I am sure it will help a lot. Great review!

[Faith - Benny Any]

I too reviewed this book and greatly enjoyed it. I totally agree with you in saying that the book contained soul-lifting content.
Great review!

Thanks for agreeing to that; indeed its content is soul-lifting.

[Faith - Benny Any]

I don’t think this is for me. Sexual abuse, especially of children, is something I can’t even read about. Ms. Belt deserves points just for surviving. Thanks for the review!

Thanks for engaging. She indeed deserves accolades.

[Faith - Benny Any]

The book seems to have a good story line. Thank you for the nice review.

Its storyline is intriguing. Thanks for engaging.

[Faith - Benny Any]

I do not want to imagine how many horrors the author had to go through. Writing a book about your pain is really inspiring and I am sure it will help a lot. Great review!

The author must have had a thick skin for him to have put down all those memories. Thanks for engaging.

[Joyce Nwaogazie]

Nice review, but I'll pass on this one, sexual abuse is not something I can relate to.