Author: Susanna Barlow

Publisher: iUniverse

ISBN: 978-0-595-40777-4

Susanna Barlow was born into a family who believed in the religious sect “Work”. There were two other sects called “Gentile” and “Apostate”.

Susanna’s family would tell her repeatedly how lucky she was to have been born as a “Work”. It seems they took this very seriously and made sure everyone wore clothes that from their arms to their feet they were covered completely.

Barlow hated feeling different from anyone else so this was a difficult time for her when her only hope of communicating with the outside world was through the screened front door of the big house.

Violence was also a problem in the household. Mother Kay, the main leader, expected children to do as she wanted but when Barlow’s “twin” Tom is caught stealing from the sugar jar Barlow is absolutely terrified he will face a beating with the “white stick”.

Mother Kay seems to think that every wrong, or even right, should be dealt with, with a good whipping.

I had to admit reading the abuse these children suffered is horrendous. I cannot believe this actually happened and that Mother Kay saw no wrong in her actions. She even used to lock children in a dark room without food if they did something “wrong”.

Descriptions in here are about the day Mother Kay saw a cat. She hates cats and tells Barlow “I poured boiling water on the damn thing. I got it square in the face; it took off like crazy.”

Ugh - what an ugly, disgusting person Mother Kay is. Where are her morals? It made me think why worship God and practise “goodwill” in the name of God if all she does is abuse people and defenceless animals?  Never mind locking children up - a locking up in prison would have done her the world of good.

There is shock in store for Barlow when her father tells her a man has come forward and offered his hand in marriage. This would be alright for Barlow except this is the ugly, aged, giant-like Brother Potter. She is disgusted at the very idea and shouts her resentment. What will come of this?

The later actions of Mother Kay are really shocking to me. She drags Barlow’s brothers and sisters with her and ties their hands around their backs in tight knots and covers their poor heads completely in cotton diapers.

Barlow discovers Mother Kay’s brutal actions and discusses what it appeared like to her. One line stuck with me when Barlow was describing their facial features: “like the muted features of a ghost”.

When does this stupid woman realize the extent of her crimes? It was hard to read on to be honest and I felt a lot of emotion.

However for Barlow the end was in sight and I shall not give away what happens as you really need to read this for yourself. It IS an absolutely brilliant memoir and I haven’t come across one as emotionally stirring and yet also entertaining in a long time.

 If you choose to read this you really can’t go wrong but you do have to be made of strong stuff. Reading what these children suffered upset me and made me quite angry. Thank goodness these days society does not tolerate the likes of these people and especially this woman or should I say monster’s behaviour.

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