Last wow of the year will be no less than wowing a great author, John Emil Augustine! I recently read his book, From the Abyss, and I have to say I was impressed. It was quite far from my normal reads but I’m so, so happy I gave it a try.
About John:
John Emil Augustine grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and toured in his twenties and early thirties with local and national acts; writing, arranging, and performing with notable jazz, blues, gospel, reggae, post funk, prog rock, and folk groups. John has also been a landscaper, mail carrier, English professor, and forklift operator. He currently lives in Minneapolis with his wife and four boys.
About John’s book:
24-year-old John Augustine is looking for a lasting, loving relationship and finds one hidden where he least expects it. Knowing that no relationship is perfect, he walks in with eyes wide open but is unable to see the future swirling with hell and heartache. Amidst the struggles of a new marriage, John begins to realize his wife is far different than the woman he thought he married. Her mental illness soon drags the new family past the point of no return. As a man, John struggles to be strong and tackle their problems single-handedly, though the marital foundation is eroding before his eyes. But once his wife files for divorce, he finds himself in a free-fall.
You can find out more about John here:
Links:
http://www.johnemilaugustine.com
https://www.facebook.com/johnemilaugustineauthor
https://twitter.com/JohnEmilAugust
And here’s my review of From the Abyss!
5 *****
I received an ARC copy of From the Abyss in exchange for an honest review.
Being difficult and abusing someone mentally are two very different things. When John met Cindi he didn’t know the difference. Sure, signs were all around that something was not quite right but it took a lot before he understood what kind of an unhealthy relationship he was living in. And then…well, then there was more at stake than just the two of them.
John wanted to be a good father, to put his own needs on hold and try to be with Cindy. He really did. But there is a limit for everything. So when he met Kim, he finally felt like coming home and getting on his feet again. But is it possible to heal something so broken? To put Cindi and their son aside and just live happily ever after with someone else? Especially when Cindi didn’t want him to go and started calling after him?
From the Abyss is based on the real story. It’s quite heavy reading and realistically describes the downsides of life, the difficulty of getting out of bad marriage. Yet, there is this silver lining along the way. John’s hope that his wife is capable of changing and his willingness of trying to get things sorted out between them. And the realization no matter what happens you do not need to be anyone’s punching bag forever.
Heartbreaking at parts, full of life, in its best and worse, and a promise of a better tomorrow. Would definitely recommend for adult readers and especially to people in a crossroads, trying to decide whether to stay or leave.
Man can be abused as well as a woman. Abusing is bullying and bullies are so not cool!
Cheers,
Jen
