Time to Stop Pretending: A Mother's Story of Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Poverty-and Escape [Paperback]

Stephanie Rodriguez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

In the passion of this story resounds the brave voice of one woman who harnessed her courage and creativity to overcome seemingly insurmountable misfortunes: domestic violence, poverty, religious dependency, and homelessness. It is a dramatic story—her own account—of quitting school when she was 16 years old to get married, rearing eight children, enduring her husband’s abusive treatment, and being homeless with kids in New York City. Although the circumstances and people in this story are unique to one woman, they speak about society as a whole.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephanie Rodriguez works as a domestic violence specialist at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Paul S. Eriksson; 2nd edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0839780613
• ISBN-13: 978-0839780618
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Battering: well-written, original autobiog, no pop psych, August 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Time to Stop Pretending (Hardcover)

One of the first books to tell us something new about the process of battering since Lenore Walker's classic twenty years ago. Rodriguez's autobiography is a beautifully written, stark, reflective memoir of her parents' abusive marriage as well as her own life with a battering husband and the effects on their eight children. No easy answers here, no excuses, no pop psychobabble, no sentimentality Ultimately a victory of the author's humanity. This book was begun in writing classes when the author, in mid-life, started college in an urban university. Thought- and discussion-provoking for those interested in autobiography, in American personal essays, in women's issues.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading., December 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Time to Stop Pretending: A Mother's Story of Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Poverty-and Escape (Paperback)

I could not put this book down until I was finished. It is a very powerful and touching story that not only deals with the vicious cycle of domestic violence but also conveys the hopelessness of poverty and the dynamics of religious dependencies. The author's writing style is very personal and easy to read, almost as if she were right there telling you the story herself. Time to Stop pretending should be required reading for anyone considering a career in social work, law enforcement or related fields. Time to Stop Pretending is an excellent book.

5.0 out of 5 stars remarkable story, December 30, 2011

By 

Wicker Man (Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time to Stop Pretending: A Mother's Story of Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Poverty-and Escape (Paperback)

A stirring read of impressive proportions. It is not merely a triumphant story of the rise from poverty but also an in-depth guide on how to pursue happiness. A very entertaining book, it has certainly succeeded in capturing my atention.