Customer Reviews

Beneath the Bruises

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beneath the Bruises by Dywane Birch is the type of fiction that mirrors reality so much it is hard to believe it is not true. Syreeta, wife and mother of five, struggles to maintain her sanity as she walks on eggshells in her own home. Attempting to live the façade of a perfect life, she denies her needs and wants, and supplements them with whatever her abusive husband desires. But how long can Syreeta live without her own identity? And how long will she accept black eyes and insults as a part of love? When she meets her counselor, Dr. Curtis, a journey away from abuse toward self-discovery is opened. But will Syreeta be strong enough to overcome the obstacles that have kept her shackled?

Birch wove a beautiful, pain-filled story. He leads you into Syreeta's mind so that you feel the turmoil, guilt, and shame of her abusive relationship and it definitely takes you beyond your comfort zone as she is confronted, exposed, and fragile right before your eyes. Birch's harmonic writing really sweeps you up and carries you along Syreeta's journey. At times, it felt as if she was whispering her story to me. I recommend Beneath the Bruises to people who enjoy emotional reads, those affected, directly or indirectly, by domestic violence, and of course, Dywane Birch fans.


Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub

As I Sat & Read This Story About Abuse It Really Got To Me. Because There Are So Women Living Like This Every Day! What I Really Enjoyed About This Story, Was How Syretta Found The Strength To Stand Up For Herself & Not To Allow Herself To Be Abuse At The Hands Of Her Husband Any More. She Had, Enough! She Ended Up Be A Very Very Strong Sister After All That She Had Endured From Her Abusive Husband. There Are So Many Women, Who Stay In Bad Marriages & Abusive Relationships, For What Ever Reasons. To All Women Who May Find Themselves in A Situation Such As What This Character In This Book Went Through, Theres Help Out There For You... Find Your Strength & Do What Ever You Need To Do. Cause Love Should Never Hurt.

"Beneath the Bruises" is the latest from author Dywane Birch. It is both heart-rending and compelling. We witness blatant manipulation. We witness purposeful bullying. We witness abuse.

Birch shows once again that he can handle a wide range of emotion as he chronicles the journey of one woman as she changes with the loss and recapture of self. Syreeta Taylor is a mere shell of her former self. Years of victimization and abuse at the hands of her husband has taken its toll on her. With the help of Dr. Curtis, a psychologist, she sees that freedom is within reach.

There were vast stretches of overly long narrative. Whether this is a good or bad thing will depend on the taste of the individual reader. For me, I'd have preferred a little more story and a little less emotional narrative. At times, it felt like I was reading someone's diary instead of a book.

Ultimately, "Beneath the Bruises" is a moving novel, with strong elements. Despite its dark content, it is a bright beacon.

Reviewed by: Toni

I could not wait for Dwayne Birch new book to finally release, I was somewhat disppointed especially from reading your previous books, don't get me wrong this book had a great message, and was quite touching, I just felt like this was a self help, from reading the other books normally funny, and page turning...but you are still a great author

Beneath the Bruises was an eye opener. My heart went out to Syreeta and her sons. I recommend this book to anyone who is a victim of abuse and even to those who are not victims. We never know what we may do if we are put in a certain situation. It is easy for one to suggest what a person should or should not do when they have never walked a mile in their shoes. Beneath the Bruises was a powerful and educational read and I highly recommend it. Keep up the good work Mr. Birch.

One of the best self healing stories that I've ever read. Although the story was written by a man, he spoke through this woman so strongly revealing her thoughts, fears, feelings of guilt for loving, excusing and staying with her abuser and the little joys with her boys that she experienced. Syreeta and Randy were in an 11yr old marriage when he beats her one night so bad for disobeying him that she crawls to the phone and reports him and he's arrested. From here, she begins her healing with the help of her counselor, sister and MIL because she didn't have the support of her mother. I really liked how Syreeta was able to find her voice and the woman that she buried to let Randy shine. Great, great story because in the end, the author didn't leave them happily ever after but steadily growing and maturing.

Syreeta is married to to Randall Taylor, a successful investment banker. She is also the mother of five well-adjusted boys. From the outside, the Taylor's lives seems picture perfect. But the true family portrait is terribly flawed.

Through most of the novel, Syreeta suffers in silence at the hands of her monstrously abusive husband. Randy is verbally abusive, demanding, impatient, irrational, and the physical cruelty he doles out ranges from rape to choking and stomping sessions.

With the help of her therapist Syreeta finds the inner strength to stand up for herself and kicks Randy out of the house. But when Randy apologizes, begs to come home, and promises to change, Syreeta's resolve is shaky at best. Will she give in to his empty promises and return to the abusive lifestyle she once accepted as normal or will she demand a permanent change and end the cycle of abuse for herself and for the sake of her sons?

Author Dywane D. Birch has delivered another masterful novel that held me captivated from the preface to the end.

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 ([...]) 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!

Dywane...is an awesome writer...and Beneath the Bruises awakes you the reality of domestic violence.. I strongly recommend this be added to every book lovers library.

To friends and family, Syreeta has it all. She has a successful husband, beautiful children, and a comfortable life to be envied. However, author Dwayne Birch reminds us that the grass is not always greener on the other side. "Beneath the Bruises" tells the tale of years of physical and emotional abuse that Syreeta endures at the hands of her husband. This fictional story captures the main character's fight to find her voice and break the cycle of domestic violence. As the story unfolds, the reader is privy to Syreeta's struggles to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life. The characters are so well written that their growth is inspiring.

Diva Reviewer - Gea Foster
www.divasread2.com