Customer Reviews

Bobby and His Cat

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had no expectations reading this book-It was a well written, articulate, courageous form of artistic self expression...

When I read Bobby & his cat for the first time, I did not know the author, who he was, or what had happened during his childhood... I was blown away by how Rob could write so well - about something so moving... When I read Bobby & his cat a second time, I truly understood pain & how it relates to each one of us- no matter what path we have traveled.

Rob Weinstein writes a childs story For Adults... He writes For Therapists to better understand Trauma, for Friends to better understand themselves and for Survivors to know that every day is a battle they can win!

I've read and re-read Bobby and his Cat and I must say, this is a story that needs to be told. Rob had written a book that fully captures the essence of childhood sexual abuse, his own incredible struggle and ultimate triumph. If you have ever been abused or know anyone who has ever been abused (I think that's every man, woman and child), then please read this book. It's a childrens book for grown ups.

This book inspired me by its raw confrontation with one of the most painful experiences a human being can endure. I deeply respect Rob Weinstein for his courage to talk about sexual abuse and the lifelong inner trauma and pain it causes, as well as the moment-to-moment continual excruciating effort to challenge spontaneously occurring flashbacks. Also, despite the pain clearly conveyed in the story, Rob somehow manages to intersperse it with the humor that has so often saved him from his suffering. The book is well written in a style uniquely appropriate for the content. I recommend this book to people who want to be inspired by human courage, who want a friend in healing, who want a deeper understanding of how they might overcome their own pain. --Kali Saposnick

This is a remarkable book! What a gem...

Any sexual abuse survivor can relate to this true, honest, and in many ways, universal story of one boy's experience of incest. Through the voice of "Bobby", the author honestly and frankly takes the reader into the mind of a child experiencing the "unthinkable" and frequently "unspeakable" horror of incest. The reader can "feel" the insidious destruction of Bobby's heart, soul, and humanity, as well as the sense of helplessness and loneliness he feels, as his parents secretly and systematically terrorize him. The fact that no one believes Bobby leads him into a even deeper sense of despair.

Weinstein's story does not overwhelm the reader with an overabundance of unnecessary details. He is able to powerfully and realistically convey the essence of the effects of the far too common terrorization of children by those whom supposedly "love" them (and whom they should be able to trust). The author also describes the inevitable heart, soul and mind destruction that results. Bobby is incredulous that no one will believe him or help him (a sane child in an insane world).

This book clearly and succintly protrays the inhumanity, cruelty, and "evilness" of the perpetrators, the retraumatization of the child by society's collective denial and long-standing "blaming the victim" mentality, and the intensely, long, and often agonizing, process of recovery.

The author also touches on, by the nature of Bobby's gender, how child abuse of boys is not unusual and probably far more common that expected. Any child is a potential victim. Any person could be a potential perpetrator. Perpetrators can not be identified by their "public appearance" or persona. In fact, perpetators are often people who "appear" to be "fine, up-standing" members of society.

Most importantly, without being preachy, Weinstein courageously asserts that we, as individuals and as a society, must stop this rampant epidemic of child sexual abuse. He tells us to encourage children to TELL THEIR SECRETS, listen to them and believe them when they tell, protect them from further abuse, and make sure the perpetrators face appropriate and sufficient consequences for their actions.

He also touches on how ill-equipped we are, as a society, to help these most precious victims. Resources regarding incest are surprisingly sparse and difficult to come by. This book is a gift for which I am grateful to have "stumbled upon." I hope that many, many people purchase this gem, read it, and pass the word on to others.

I've have the extreme pleasure of knowing Rob Weinstein, and was with him through the whole time he tried to get this vital book published. Thankfully, with perseverance he succeeded. Being an abuse survivor myself, I've read nearly all the books designed to help us heal. None of which tell it like it is, as Rob does, so bravely and simply. Having read his manuscripts time and again, I was truly unprepared to read the book in it's final form. It somehow took on the reality of how horrible our childhoods were.

Rob is the bravest survivor I know. It's about time someone told "our" story in the truest form. He is a gifted writer who dared to expose the most painful experience someone could possibly endure. His time has come. I believe his work will help thousand. Spread the word!

The language of this book are simplistic, but the concept is anything but. It is hard to find words to express feelings so deep, but Mr. Weinstein has done it so thoroughly, and movingly, that I was moved to tears.

This book allows the reader to experience the pain and despair of a subject that is all to difficult to discuss in most families-incest. the writing is so very detailed we can't help but emphatisize with what little Bobby has experienced. For those who have no idea what it is like to be a victim of child abuse this book courageously delves into that area. The are so few books which can display the complexity of what a child experiences the way this author has. This author should be commended on tackling a subject that needs to be discussed not just with adults, but more importantly with children. The beauty of this book is that everyone can read it! I recommend it very highly!

What can I say, that has not already been said about this amazingly encouraging book. Rob Weinstein is great.
It is a sublime piece of poetry. I know Rob Weinstein as a comedian.To realize that the comedy and the horror are both part of the same man blew me away.
Congratulations Rob!

Anyone who has survived childhood trauma knows the daily battle of facing the often overwhelming emothions of sadness, self hate, worthlessness...to name a few. I thought this book was remarkable in the way it entered that dark battleground that exists in the heart of every 'adult child' and rallied a victorious cry! I felt like I was at once 'there' in that little boy's soul and also fighting with heart of lion as the adult pushed through to the other side. That anyone should go through this is heartbreaking, but to overcome it with such poetry, bravery and beauty is a testament to the human spirit and encouragement to anyone dealing with childhood wounds...

One of the scariest and harrowing true accounts of a childhood one could ever imagine. Rob Weinstein's childhood is a cavern of darkness filled with devils performing acts of unspeakable terror. This is an astounding journey of a little boy living in the midst of monsters -- his mother and father! In your worst imaginings, you could not conjure what this little boy endured, for years!

The writing is elegant and spartan, just enough to convey what it was like. But really, who could possibly know what it was really like except for, Rob Weinstein. Reading, "Bobby & His Cat" is harrowing. My admiration for Rob Weinstein abounds. How a human not only survives such travails, but works to heal others is extraordinary!

Rob Weinstein's light douses the bonfire of real demons. To think that Rob Weinstein has travelled from a place so deep in hell to a life that can shed light for others is a spectacular triumph of the soul.