Beneath The Bruises by Dwayne D. Birch – ISBN13:978-1-59309-208-5 ISBN10:1-59309-208-3 – 242 pages – published by Strebor Books – Paperback – Reviewed by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant; Literary Wonders (www.literarywonders.com) September 7, 2009 – 5 Stars
Beneath The Bruises tackles the taboo topic of domestic violence and the affect that it has on many families. In Beneath the Bruises, Dwayne D. Birch introduces us to Syreeta Colette Taylor. Syreeta is the typical suburban mother and doting wife to Randall “Randy” Michael Taylor III. And like many women across the world, across color lines, across social economical statuses, Syreeta is secretly, the victim of domestic violence.
Mr. Birch takes you into the emotional turmoil of one woman’s story of entrapment, insecurities, helplessness, hopelessness and her duty to her children; no matter what the price may be.
Randy’s years of constant verbal and physical abuse have taken its toll on Syreeta and her five children. She is constantly walking around on eggshells, knowing that Randy could explode at any moment. Can she afford to continue to pretend that the name calling, the de-programming and the black eyes aren’t real?
Surprisingly, not significant to most abusers, Randy allows Syreeta to see a psychologist, sure that the counselor would side with him in convincing Syreeta that she is the reason for the abuse; that she is the problem.
Through her sessions with Dr. Curtis, Syreeta finally begins to see that she is not at fault for her husband’s abuse. He helps her see it is not her problem to deal with, but Randy’s and Randy’s only.
Syreeta begins to see the light and slowly but surely starts to stand up for herself, but will it be at a cost? Will it cost her children? Will it cost her lifestyle? Or will it cost her life? It isn’t until one night after being beaten nearly within an inch of her life that Syreena says enough is enough. But is it too late?
Any reader of this fiction but true to life novel, is sure to experience emotions of disbelief and disdain one way or another. Dwayne D. Birch clearly delivers a message that states domestic violence is unacceptable in any situation, whether it be physical, emotional or verbal.
Cheers to this author, Dwayne D. Birch, for Beneath The Bruises, who relays the message to women that regardless of their circumstances they don’t have to become one of the women who die annually at the hand of their abusers. It shows that they can make it out, they just have to let go of their fear and want to get out. This is an awesome story and needed to be told. I’m so glad that it was told by a man!
The author can be reached at bshatteredsouls@cs.com and http://www.freewebs.com/dywanebirch/reviews.htm
1 Response to "Review of "Beneath The Bruises" by Dwayne D. Birch"
What page does the therapist ask her "what does Syreeta want from Syreeta?