Tell me of Brave Women
Tell me of Brave Women: Review
*I received a copy of this book from Hay House Publishers for review*
According to the World Health Organization, statistics show that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
35%.
Any violence is too much.
This is is the subject of Tell me of Brave Women by first-time novelist, Laura Riley.
In her book, Riley covers stories of several women and one man from around the world. Evangelina has been made into a sex slave for a drug lord in South America; Thelma witnesses a woman being abused in her bar in the United States; Hassad is a chief investigator in the Middle east who believes it is the right of men to control their wives; while Samara travels the world as a storyteller trying to empower women.
These stories are all interwoven – mostly through a connection with a charitable organization called Secret Sisters that shelters abused women and has homes all around the world.
This book is beautifully written. The characters are all distinct, and even though there are many characters and plots happening at the same time, it is not confusing. Because the book is 500 pages, it looks daunting, and why it took me so long to pick it up. However, it is a very quick read – because of the story line, and also because the author doesn’t get bogged down in details and descriptions. I like that.
The author, Laura Reiley is a psychotherapist, lecturer and aid to battered women. She has studied the status of women in 89 countries and personally believes that abuse will only end when women unite against it. Through her writing she tries to encourage women to come together and demand justice and equality.
Therefore, the novel is a piece to motivate people action.
It acts almost as a utopia – or a guide to utopia where life for women should be and is better.
Tell me of Brave Women includes female characters who have experienced almost every kind of abuse or injustice to women. Many of the issues also wrap up with neat little bows. And, wouldn’t it be nice to have a shelter for battered women in every country and every city with enough funding and a wealthy benefactress to keep them all going?
Although, this may not be possible or realistic, the book paints the picture of how things should be and could be when we start treating women equally.
One thing is for sure; it certainly made me take an even greater interest in my local women’s shelter. You will be inspired after reading this book to do what you can to help women – by not turning a blind eye, by making a financial or tangible donation to a shelter, or by being a good friend to someone who might need you.
I recommend picking up a copy of Tell me of Brave Women by Laura Reiley.
