Mary Smith

Child of Sorrow, Child of Joy Mary Smith

Publisher Marketing: This book chronicles the poignant, true life journey of a woman who endured horrendous abuse as a child. The victim of a mentally ill mother, and an angry, violent older brother, she survived several attempts of murder, as well as severe physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. For several years she was forced to live in a dark closet whenever her father wasn't home. Emerging into adulthood as a shattered young woman, with only rudimentary social skills and knowing only how to be a victim, she collided with a world she was thoroughly unprepared for. After many years of agonizing struggle and travail she grew stronger, overcoming the deficits from her past. Her abusers were outraged that she didn't remain a good little victim once she grew up. Despite threats, shunning, and a firestorm of slander, she chose to break their code of silence and speak the truth so other victims could be set free. Amidst their hostility, she learned to forgive even the unforgivable, and learned to love even her enemies. Through forgiveness and love she found the startling and profound secret to triumphing over the abuse that had devastated her life, and grew to achieve a sense of worth and belonging. Thought provoking and insightful, this book is, above all, about hope, success, and the triumph of the human spirit. Contributor Bio:  Smith, Mary Mary Sanders Smith born in Illinois divides her time between Grosse Pointe, Michigan, New York City, and northern Wisconsin and is the author of two previous collections of fiction. Her work has received many honors, including an award for fiction from PEN, Detroit Free Press and Detroit Public Library. Her fiction has been published in Arizona Quarterly, University of Michigan Literary Review, Lintel, Trimax Productions, National PBS, and her poetry in Calyx Press. Mary Sanders Smith runs the Classics Books Lecture Series for the Grosse Pointe Public Library.