Wayne : An Abused Child's Story of Courage, Survival, and Hope [Hardcover]

Leslie Alan Horvitz (Adapter), Wayne Theodore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2003

This book is a story that sends the reader careening through episodes of childhood abuse, teenage drug addiction, and as an adult the compulsion to repeat the sins of his father.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Theodore, now middle-aged, grew up with 11 siblings, an incredibly abusive father, and a meek mother. In this powerful memoir, he recalls a long history of abuse and neglect that he and his siblings managed to sublimate to the point that none of them acknowledged it until they were adults. He begins his memoir with a recollection of his father trying to kill him when he was six years old and then systematically terrorizing the family. As a teenager, he runs away and begins a life on his own. He recounts dropping out of high school, dabbling in drugs, drifting from one low-skill job to another, suffering violent tendencies of his own. A brother's inquiries prompt Wayne's memories, and he goes in search of documents to substantiate what he remembers. Reading his family's case files sets him on a recovery course that ends with a nationally televised confrontation with his parents. This is an inspiring look at surviving child abuse that may, nonetheless, be too graphic and disturbing for some readers. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harbor Press, Inc.; Autobiography of Wayne Theodore edition (March 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936197455
• ISBN-13: 978-0936197456
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #797,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Touching and Inspirational Story!, June 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Wayne : An Abused Child's Story of Courage, Survival, and Hope (Hardcover)

Wayne's story touched my heart deeply and made me realize how life-altering and psychologically destructive child abuse is. We are never really free from the pain of abuse although, as in Wayne's case we can rise above the pain and reach out to others. He determined to share his story with the world and he has done so in beautiful prose and with a striking humility and gentleness of spirit. What a Hero! God bless you Wayne for telling your story.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RIVETING, March 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Wayne : An Abused Child's Story of Courage, Survival, and Hope (Hardcover)

I hate to start with a cliche like, "You won't be able to put it down", but from its very first words,this book kept my eyes riveted to the page. Fortunately, you can easily read it in one or two sittings. From the time he was born until he ran away from home as a teenager, Wayne Theodore's life was nightmare of unimaginable abuse and neglect at the hands of his violent father. But this story isn't a downer. Wayne's courage and will to survive make his book an inspiring and uplifting read. In its dramatic climax, sparks fly when Wayne and his siblings confront their mother and father on the Sally Jessy Raphael TV show. At the end of the book, Wayne breaks the cycle of abuse and makes a success of his life, but continues to struggle with the emotional scars. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a dramatically charged and inspiring story, especially if you care about children. It has special meaning and insight for anyone who has ever struggled with issues of self-esteem.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars truly inspiring, March 21, 2006

By 

Nancy Pineda "avid reader" (alhambra, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wayne : An Abused Child's Story of Courage, Survival, and Hope (Hardcover)

It takes a lot of courage to face your fear, and in this book Wayne faces and confronts his hideous past. Bringing to light his repressed memories of his upbringing. I think the way he rises above everything to be the person he is today, is a lesson to us all. This book is a good read, i could not put it down. I read the whole book all in one sitting.