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Book Review: Denial: A Memoir of Terror #100Books

July 25, 2013 by Kenna Griffin

Jessica Stern will “feel about this later.”

Denial: A Memoir of TerrorShe used the personal motto as a reminder to compartmentalize her feelings about traumatic events in her life. She put her rape, her mother’s death, failed relationships, and an assortment of other life happenings on a shelf, purportedly to deal with later.

The avoidance gave Jessica the courage to come face-to-face with terrorists in a host of intimidating and dangerous situations in her job as a social psychologist and terrorism expert. She ignored her personal issues while her posttraumatic stress disorder became a “normal” part of her life, dictating her response to most situations.

When police reopen her more than 30-year-old rape case, Jessica could no longer shelve her demons.

Denial: A Memoir of Terror is about Jessica’s investigation into the serial rapist who attacked her 15-year-old self and her 14-year-old sister. She wanted to understand the man who raped her and her sister and was thought to be responsible for at least 44 other rapes in just a few years.

While she really never understands what happened to her rapist to make him the demon he became, Jessica learns a lot about herself during the research. She shares with the reader how much she missed or failed to experience while waiting to “feel about that later.”

Denial: A Memoir is a powerful and honest look at the life of a multiple trauma survivor, suffering from the mental illness that results. The book is difficult to read at times, but it’s worth the struggle.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above (typically those to books) may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I promise that I only recommend products or services I use personally and think will provide you value. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Prof KRG

Prof KRG aims to create an ongoing educational dialogue among media professionals, students and educators.

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About Kenna Griffin

I am a mass communications professor, journalist and collegiate media adviser. I teach classes including those on writing, reporting, media law, media ethics, social media marketing, and public relations. I am married, have two children and live in Oklahoma. More about this site's purpose

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