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Stephanie Thornton Plymale

American Daughter: A Memoir of Intergenerational Trauma, a Mother’s Dark Secrets, and a Daughter’s Quest for Redemption Paperback – February 3, 2020

by Stephanie Thornton Plymale (Author), Elissa Wald (Author)

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"American Daughter–in the tradition of classics like The Glass Castle, LA Diaries and White Oleander–explores in unsparing details the complex interplay between intimate family ties, generational abuse and cataclysmic losses." – Gina Frangello, Author of ‘Every Kind of Wanting’ and ‘A Life in Men’ Editor of The Coachella Review

For 50 years, Stephanie Thornton Plymale kept her past a fiercely guarded secret.

No one outside her immediate family would ever have guessed that her childhood was fraught with every imaginable hardship: a mentally ill mother who was in and out of jails and psych wards throughout Stephanie's formative years, neglect, hunger, poverty, homelessness, truancy, foster homes, a harrowing lack of medical care, and ongoing sexual abuse.

Stephanie, in turn, knew very little about the past of her mother, from whom she remained estranged during most of her adult life. All this changed with a phone call that set a journey of discovery in motion, leading to a series of shocking revelations that forced Stephanie to revise the meaning of almost every aspect of her very compromised childhood.

American Daughter is at once the deeply moving memoir of a troubled mother-daughter relationship and a meditation on trauma, resilience, transcendence, and redemption. Stephanie's story is unique but its messages are universal, offering insight into what it means to survive, to rise above, to heal, and to forgive.

Print length

296 pages
Language

English
Publication date

February 3, 2020
Dimensions

6 x 0.74 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1632992523
ISBN-13

978-1632992529
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephanie Thornton Plymale is the CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design and the founder of the Heritage Home Foundation, a non-profit serving families transitioning from homelessness. Stephanie calls Portland, Oregon, her home&;a word imbued with much meaning, as she grew up without one. From living in a car on the beach with her five siblings to being isolated in the Dependent Unit of the State of California to a horribly abusive foster home, Stephanie never experienced a feeling of family during her childhood. Married at 19 to her high school sweetheart, Stephanie&;s desire for family roots helped her create a stable, loving marriage and a home for her two biological sons and adopted daughter. It also drove her to uncover the astonishing family secrets revealed in this memoir, American Daughter, which laid bare the soul of her family and resulted in the unlikeliest and most healing of reconciliations.

Today, Stephanie balances her family life with promoting Heritage and the success of its students, team, growing community, and ever-widening philanthropic efforts.

Product details

Publisher : River Grove Books (February 3, 2020)
Language : English
Paperback : 296 pages
ISBN-10 : 1632992523
ISBN-13 : 978-1632992529
Item Weight : 15.4 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.74 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #395,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #529 in Child Abuse (Books)
- #6,012 in Women's Biographies
- #17,333 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
231 ratings

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SeattleSuzuki

Incredible! Definitely could become an Oscar-nominated film! Powerful, must read!

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020

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This book was INCREDIBLE, I finished it in 2 days. Written in such a powerful, raw and emotional manner - it had me in tears followed by waves of inspiration, hope and so much empathy for this author. Page by page, you're experiencing every emotion and so much pain for this author - one page I was crying, the next page I was angry, the next page left me with utter shock and disbelief. She has QUITE the story to share with the world and one that will hopefully leave the readers with the very important message and lessons that I took away from it. Incredible. A must read for everyone. Thank you for sharing your story so boldly and vulnerably, Stephanie Thornton Plymale.

23 people found this helpful

Helpful

Eastonworks

Riveting and Inspirational

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2020

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The author’s tragic and staggeringly beautiful life story is told with dignity and grace. Her story is compelling, but more so is the outcome. Rising above all she endured, Plymale not only created a life of beauty for herself and her family, but she also brought healing to those who harmed her or weren’t there for her throughout her life. Her words in this book are a gift to those who are downtrodden and seek to rise above their circumstances. And they are a gift to those who have the means to reach out and help others in need. This book is both gut-wrenching and inspirational. It is a page-turner and I couldn't put it down. I highly highly recommend it.

13 people found this helpful

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Wayne Vandekraak

A Must Read

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020

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American Daughter is a raw and riveting story of hardship, injustice, and generational redemption. From the first till the last page I was captivated and spellbound and could not put the book down. The life-story of the author, Stephanie Thornton Plymale, is the story of America – the real and unvarnished America. A little girl who is the casualty of her mother’s trauma and yet refuses to succumb to be a victim herself. The author’s life allows us to see, as through a dark glass clearly, the reflection of our own country. A country with rough and raw edges, gritty and dark, yet dogged and determined. American Daughter, however, is ultimately about the deep-seated human longing to be found and to be known for who we truly are. American Daughter is a must read.

10 people found this helpful

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J. Nieman

Success is about love, hard work and choices!

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020

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An absolute must read!! This was so well written, this young woman conquered more in her life than most of us can even imagine. Her story is inspirational and encouraging. Well done!!! Loved it!

9 people found this helpful

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Andi K.

Fantastic Read!

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2020

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From the moment I read the first few sentences in the prologue I was wrangled in!
I don’t know even where to begin to explain how much I love this book! What an amazing, gut wrenching story that is filled with so much heart and soul. The writer(s)
give such a great visual from the very beginning. I immediately could see this as a movie, even imagining certain songs for different scenes! It is far more than a story of rags to riches or overcoming a traumatic childhood. Ms Plymale leads us by example of the true human spirit. She not only is a survivor, suffering the unimaginable, or person defined by her obstacles, she is a woman with soul, who shows us how to love and forgive even when others seemingly don’t deserve it. It is after all, the love and empathy that opens the doors, answers the long awaited questions that have plagued her life. The reveal of what Ms. Plymale finds out about her past will have you in disbelief, thinking this only happens in movies. That’s what makes this such a great story, because it is real and despite all the hardship and pain, she over comes it all. Without giving the the whole story away, it’s obvious the longing and acceptance of her broken relationship with her mother is restored, but what I also really appreciate is her taking this knowledge to the next level and bringing more awareness to mental illness. Understanding her mother’s past gave her the empathy to forgive. Bravo, Stephanie Thornton Plymale, your story has the power to change lives! I cried and cheered many tears for you. Thank you for reminding us that everyone has a story to tell, that many have and are still, fighting very hard battles. It is compassion and understanding that can be first steps in healing. Thank you for showing us how to look deeper at others problems, rather than us just be a victim. I try to imagine if you never conducted those “interviews”, what you would never have found, and more importantly how you and your mother’s story would end. God bless you for your courage, I can’t wait to hear and read more!

5 people found this helpful

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Mike Carroll

Choosing to Thrive

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020

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American Daughter is a memoir that ties adversity with strength and secrets with enlightenment. It is the
real story of how love can illuminate and transform a woman’s life but also how violence can damage and change it forever. How does the daughter of a deeply troubled mother escape the limitations and trauma she has experienced and make something so beautiful of her life? The timing couldn’t be more perfect for this fascinating and true coming of age story of being a woman in today’s America.

5 people found this helpful

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Laura

Best book I've read in a long time

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020

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American Daughter is an extremely powerful story that is impossible to put down. Stephanie’s journey is an epic one filled with inspiration in her triumph of overcoming an inconceivable upbringing that bares light on the realities of living with mental illness and the foster care system. Her unending quest for understanding her heritage is magical, and her determination and perseverance to bring meaning and hope to others leaves you in awe. It is one of the most heartfelt stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and recommend it highly.

5 people found this helpful

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Tracy M.

A must read!

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020

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A must read! This book had me hooked from beginning to end. Stephanie’s entire life is scribed openly in the pages of this book and it is captivating. It’s full of deep, dark secrets, corruption, trauma and extreme abuse. Despite these hardships, she also experiences love and compassion. Her lense on life is unique and inspiring. You will be a changed person after reading American Daughter.

7 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Cynthia Barlow

A raw, real, and remarkable read

Reviewed in Canada on May 3, 2020

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Beautifully written, I couldn't put this book down once I began. The story--of abuse and childhood horrors--is raw yet full of grace. The fact that Stephanie was able to write such a loving memoir with such clear-eyed honesty is a testament to both her talent as well as her will to survive and make sense of her history. I cannot recommend American Daughter highly enough. It is an amazing story and Stephanie Plymale is one amazing writer.

Michelle L. M.

Inspiring

Reviewed in Canada on April 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

So inspirational! What a journey, thank you for sharing your story. It must of been so emotional but very healing at the same time!

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