What If I Tell is about the memoir of a young girl who after 30 years of fear and shame finally tells her important story to the world.
When Gina was a young girl she suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her Uncle - “Oncle Louis”.Those times she used to hide under her bed covers, dreading the feelings of Louis’s wandering hands.
The story goes on to tell of how Gina met Doug and they decide to get married…only problem is her mum wants Louis to attend the wedding too. Gina feels sick as memories come flooding back - the way he used to call her “ma petite blonde”.
When she tells her mum she hates her Uncle and does not want him to be there to ruin her day, her mum asks why she doesn’t like him. I would have thought it was pretty obvious if your daughter was being abused….I can only wonder why a mother would not notice the signs?I certainly would but then again, each to their own.
There is more depth to this tale if you read on - parts of history are revealed and it is clear to me how Gina felt and how this awful part of her life affects her even now.
I just find it hard to believe that despite everything, a family cannot notice the effects of child abuse on their little girl and how other members almost despise Gina for hating her Uncle, even when they find out what he had done. Are her other family members just as sick as her Uncle was?
Later her Uncle does say he wants her forgiveness - does Gina forgive him? Again something I would find impossible to do. An Uncle should be someone who makes you laugh, who treats you and when you are placed in his care, makes sure you are well looked after. A shame that Louis was not the kind of Uncle he should have been.
This subject is certainly one that is daunting and horrendous but I found the story to be different altogether. Instead of focusing on those awful times as a child, Gina has done the opposite and focused more on the growing up and becoming brave than dwelling too much on the past.Her feelings on child sex abuse are still strongly spoken throughout but the book is more cheerful then you might think!
Read this for an intimate insight on abuse and be moved.
The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts:Jessica is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews CLICK HERE
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