Clandestine Confessions is a book that is way overdue. It recounts the story of an eighteen-year-old girl who is raped, and her courage and determination to struggle through. This first-person narrative, based on the true experiences of the author, clearly and honestly describes what a victim goes through, revealing her most intimate thoughts and feelings. Nina Holden’s compelling account takes a reader through the complete personality change that takes place in the protagonist, how it affects her family and how she begins and eventually manages to leave an abusive relationship after continually having blamed herself, her thoughts and judgment being clouded by the trauma.
In Clandestine Confessions I read the words that I’ve been afraid to speak and therefore unable to say to close ones to express my feelings because of shame.
Nina Holden is able to put her shame aside and to share her true thoughts, feelings and pain, that are also mine. After reading this book I felt less alone, less guilty, less filthy and also hopeful. I strongly recommend it, especially to young women who have been sexually assaulted and anyone trying to understand and help them because the book enables the reader to take a look right inside the mind and heart of a rape survivor. It will also be invaluable to women who are in relationships (especially those who have been victims of assault or abuse), who are not sure if what is going on in the relationship is normal, and who wonder if they are really the ones that are to blame.
Full Title: Clandestine Confessions
Author: Nina Holden
Publisher: Gavta Publishing (May, 2005)
ISBN: 9090194223
