Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: When Angels Fly

Subtitle:

Author: S Jackson and A Raymond

Genre: memoir

Part of a series? No

Order in series: N/A

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39721092-when-angels-fly

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This book tells the story of the life of Sarah, a young woman. Physically and mentally abused by her mother in childhood, the mental abuse from her mother continued during her adult life.

Hoping to escape the abusive home life and dreaming of a loving husband and children, she falls into a loveless marriage with a violent and alcoholic husband.

Life appears to take a turn to the better when Sarah finds herself pregnant with their first child, a son she desperately longs for but is stillborn.

The abuse from her mother and husband continues, and after giving birth to two more sons and being forced to undergo a sterilisation, she finally gathers the strength and courage to leave her husband when he turns his violence towards the boys.

Now life really seems to look more positive. At least, until her youngest son falls ill and another harrowing time starts within her life. With only help from close friends and the difficult situation seen as an opportunity to take away all she loves from her by her husband and family, she struggles and fights to ensure the best lives possible for her sons.

And what a brave little boy Eli was. Even at the age of five he already tried to protect his mother and hung up the phone on his dad when he became abusive. An astounding maturity for a five-year-old, which unfortunately is too often seen by children who suffer with serious illnesses.

What I liked about the book:

I particularly liked how Sarah managed to keep positive throughout the many trials sent her way. She kept going and never gave in. Where many people would be crippled and paralysed by what was thrown in her path, she kept fighting for her sons and her own future.

Even when Eli was terminally ill she did all in her power to give him as normal a life as possible under the circumstances.

The book also made me realise how lucky I have been in life and how much of a doddle it has been in comparison. The trials and tribulations taking place in my own life paled in comparison and it made me realise I should count my blessings rather than complain about some, in comparison minor, things that happened to me.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I enjoyed reading the book, if that is the correct term, and felt pride in this courageous woman. Her pain was palpable, not only in the words, but also in the way she had distanced herself somewhat from the story while writing. It was obvious the scars are still very raw and fresh and the only way she was able to put pen to paper was to approach the book in a near clinical way. This also showed in the many technical/medical terms she used throughout the book. Sarah kept her real emotions closely under wrap and I am certain it would have overpowered her if she hadn’t.

There was nothing I did not like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved where Sarah was able to see the happiness in all the little things she could do for her son and how she even found happiness in the darkest of times. The way she was able to show that adversity does not equal never finding happiness will be an inspiration to many others. It was obvious her love for her sons gave her the strength to never give up and keep fighting for their happiness and safety, and to do the very best she could in a nearly impossible situation.

My least favourite bits in the book:

It was impossible to have any good feelings towards the abusive mother, husband and brother. The obviously dysfunctional family Sarah had originated from continued to put hurdles in her way and feelings of ‘get a life’ and ‘do you have no common sense/decency?’ frequently surfaced while reading what they put Sarah and her children through. Hat off to Sarah to keep fighting and in gaining a happy life for her kids in as far as she was able to under extremely difficult circumstances.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I understand this author has written several other books with her author husband. This, however, was a memoir, relating real life trials and tribulations.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book reminded me of other memoirs, although it is in a league of its own. It is easy to see why it has won several awards.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Maybe

Adult Yes

If you like memoirs this book could be the book for you. It is a book which will pull on your heartstrings, but is well worth the read. Although it contains many medical terms, these are all explained well and I expect they will not form any problem for readers without medical knowledge.

If you are looking to read a book where the lead character faces many hardships and still comes out a strong individual, this is definitely the place to go.

Well done to the author. It is obvious from how she distanced herself from her emotions her scars still run very deep, are very raw and fresh. And that is only to be expected. No one should have to lose a child. Even when you know they will now be in a better place, you still miss them and it will feel like a part of you was ripped out and a massive, gaping hole has been left behind. Life goes on, but it will never be the same.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.