Reviews from

Shaking the Family Tree

Viewing comments for Prologue "Shaking the Family Tree "
Excerpts from addition to recovery.

9 total reviews 
Comment from Spitfire
Excellent
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Whether addicted or not the prologue entices the reader to continue.
But the most damaging thread that weaves all of our fabric into a shared tapestry is a three syllable word: Denial. It is the blindfold that we wear to our own execution.

A scary metaphor with damaging, blindfold and own execution.

 Comment Written 31-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 06-Apr-2018
    Thanks for the great review. Thank you for the great review
    The last chapter is out there called The Unveiling. Thanks for following. Will try and post once a week.
Comment from Sharon Haiste
Excellent
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I look forward to your writings.
I grew up in a family of alcoholics and believed that drinking was the only way of life. I scorned those who didn't drink.
It's only in the last few years that I have changed my way of thinking and my habits. I look back on my wasted years with sadness.
Sharon

 Comment Written 30-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Look forward. The rearview mirror is for glancing back only so we don"t make the same mistakes. I will be posting random excerpts from my book.
Comment from Joan E.
Excellent
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I admire your courage to share this memoir and your focus on "denial". Your "blindfold" metaphor is very effective. Although I have not had personal experience with addiction, I am sure your offering will be compelling reading. Warm regards- Joan

 Comment Written 30-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Thanks, Joan.
Comment from Debbie Pope
Excellent
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What a powerful introduction to your book. Up front you tell readers who question their addicted status that they are in denial. To me, the only solution for those genetically predisposed is to avoid the substance to start with. Easier said than done. Readers will already be hooked and looking for strength to overcome. Your book sounds like it holds much potential. Best of luck with it. Hope it helps even one person.

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Thanks for your very astute observations. I will be making random posts from the book.n
Comment from karenina
Excellent
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Thank you so much for generously sharing your work here on site...can there be a more urgent and topical social conundrum than addiction? I think not. I am a rare breed who has not been personally affected (myself, family or friends) by addiction. But for years, as an RN I saw more than I could stomach of lives cut short in pursuit of a high. I hope your book inspires and turns around just one life....If so, it will be worth all your effort.

Karenina

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Thanks for your detailed.review
    Will be posting random excerpts from my book.
Comment from Susan Burger
Excellent
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Very nice excerpt.
I liked that you covered the different ways we can be addicted, and it isn't what or how we use, but That we use.
It's obvious you have first hand knowledge, have researched this issue and are hoping to help others with your book.
I like the analogy of the tapestry, and can relate to the family member riding that elevator down in silence.
Best of luck with your book, I hope it is a god send to many.

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Thank you for the detailed review.
Comment from robina1978
Excellent
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I am pleased to catch you in the prologue. Addiction ran in my husband's and my family. So I will be able to relate. I am so pleased you recovered. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Thank you for reviewing.
Comment from rama devi
Excellent
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It's a great title, by the way!

Powerful theme...highly relevant in today's world.

It is well voiced. While I feel it needs trimming and tightening, many readers would not notice that room for improvement, so I am giving five stars in spite of feeling this can definitely be improved (minor edits, noted below).

I'm glad to see you're writing this book.

NOTES

*
This book is dedicated to anyone out there who thinks that they may be suffering from alcohol or drug addiction.


Good opening line. Consider trimming out THAT.



This book is dedicated to anyone out there who thinks they may be suffering from alcohol or drug addiction.


* Suggest making this one sentence:

Be it huffed, puffed, snorted, injected, popped or ingested. It is a thief that will take away all of your hopes, your dreams, and perhaps, even your life.


Be it huffed, puffed, snorted, injected, popped or ingested, it is a thief that will take away all of your hopes, your dreams, and perhaps, even your life.


Well voiced metaphor:

Your friends, family, and all of your relationships will suffer, often in silence, as they ride that elevator down with you, to your bottom.


Powerfully voiced:
But the most damaging thread that weaves all of our fabric into a shared tapestry is a three syllable word: Denial.


But I have two suggestions. 1) no cap on denial after the colon, 2) it's a bit wordy., Consider tightening. Example edit:


But the most damaging thread weaving our fabric into a shared tapestry is a three syllable word: denial.

*
It is the blindfold that we wear to our own execution.

Great closing note, but wordy. Suggest trimming. Example:


It is the blindfold we wear to our execution.


Or, perhaps merging it with the previous sentence:


But the most damaging thread weaving our fabric into a shared tapestry is a three syllable word: denial--the blindfold we wear to our execution.


Delete random symbol:

â??

Overall, this is a very good prologue! Sums it up succinctly.

Warmly, rd

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Thank you rd for the input.
reply by rama devi on 30-Mar-2018
    Welcome :)
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
Excellent
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A very well-written introduction to the book Shaking the Family Tree. I think many of us know someone who have an addiction problem and we cannot understand why would they do it to themselves.

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018
    Thank you for reviewing.