Courage in Patience: A Story of Hope for Those Who Have Endured Abuse (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fehlbaum's debut novel, set in a small Texas town, is overloaded with thorny issues and hindered by a very special episode tone, but features a genuine and empathetic lead. After enduring six years of sexual abuse from her step-father, 14-year-old Ashley Asher finally gathers the courage to confide in her mother; predictably, mom sides with step-dad. Soon, Ashley is sent to live with her estranged birth father, David, and his new wife and son. Though he's now a kind man who's put his life-long anger issues behind him, Ashley still struggles to trust her father. His wife, Bev, a high school English teacher, brings Ashley into her extended family of summer school students; a controversial reading assignment, Ironman by Chris Crutcher, provides the novel's other hot-button issues—racism, censorship, homophobia and religious extremism. An over-the-top scandal is followed by Bev's hokey, message-laden testimonial before the local school board. Throughout, Ashley's self-destructive tendencies, conflicted feelings and struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder read authentically; had Fehlbaum focused more on her recovery, rather than a raft of societal woes, this story would have been more powerful. (Sept.)
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From Booklist

Nine-year-old Ashley Asher was pleased when her mother started a relationship with Charlie Baker. Charlie, Ashley thought, would be the father she never had. She was 9 then; now 15, she recounts the story of how her dream life soon turned to nightmare, commencing with the first time Charlie touched her inappropriately. For years she tolerated it—not only the sexual abuse but also the emotional manipulation her stepfather inflicted on her—until one day she confronted both Charlie and her mother. To Ashley’s horror, her mother sided with Charlie, leaving the teenager to find her own way, prompting her to reestablish a connection with her biological father. Though the subject matter is undeniably dark, Fehlbaum manages to keep the tone surprisingly light and hopeful. This hard-hitting but readable story about an infinitely troubling subject will resonate with all readers but especially with other survivors of abuse or with those who work with those survivors. --Mary Frances Wilkens

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kunati Inc.; 1st edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601641567
• ISBN-13: 978-1601641564
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #924,553 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC, August 15, 2008

By	A. Moore (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A GREAT READ! WITHOUT A DOUBT BETH WILL CONTINUE TO BRING FORTH WORKS THAT ARE A PLEASURE TO READ AND AN INSPIRATION FOR MANY OF US! A MUST READ FOR ANYONE AND A GREAT BOOK FOR VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, PASTORS, TEENS, PARENTS, EDUCATORS, COUNSELORS ...

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strength in adversity, September 13, 2008

By	Amanda Richards "Modest to the extreme" (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Rather than the famous West Texas town of El Paso (although that town is briefly referred to in the story), this emotionally draining debut novel is set in the tiny East Texas town of Patience.

Ashley, the young protagonist tells the heartbreaking tale of the six years of abuse she endures at the hands of her step-father, and the betrayal she experiences when her own mother and maternal grandparents refuse to believe her story, even when faced with irrefutable evidence.

Her mother and her biological father had parted on bad terms, having eloped as teenagers when her mother was pregnant with Ashley, and except for the occasional card and the child support payments, he is a complete stranger. Having heard of his uncontrollable bad temper, Ashley is more than a little afraid when he swoops in and whisks her back to his home in Patience to live with his new family, against the wishes of her mother.

As if this weren't enough, the small town soon becomes embroiled in a moral brouhaha when Ashley's step-mother Bev chooses a controversial novel for summer school reading, revealing the bigotry of some elements of the supposedly religious and tightly knit community.

With love and a lot of support from her father and step-mother, Ashley slowly begins to work her way out of her self-constructed armor, but fails to make meaningful progress until she gains the self-confidence to face her nightmares head on.

Based in part on the author's real-life experiences, this book tackles abuse, racism, intolerance and cruelty, tempered by love, compassion and friendship, and is recommended for ages 14 and up. Genuine characters, believable dialogue and a heartbreaking story make for an absorbing and compelling read.


Rated: 4.5 stars



Amanda Richards, September 13, 2008

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely, lively thoughtful teen-age ensemble piece, August 15, 2008

By	Lynn Hoffman, author:The Short Course in Beer (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

You probably know that this is a story about surviving sexual abuse and living one's way through the alienation and loss that goes along with it. You should also know that this is one of those books about group of teens and that the healing that takes place is partly mediated by the dynamics of the group. This dimension gives the story some extra power that all kids need to have: we get well with the help of those around us.
Nicely written and with a compforing message for anyone who needs to get over it and get on with it.