Title: The Darkest Place
Author: Helen Walters
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 9781543404616
Pages: 224
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Krista Schnee
Pacific Book Review
For Hannah, life was a small world, limited by the constraints of her husband. Married right out of high school, she had once welcomed the tasks of taking care of their apartment. Sean worked and provided for their needs; she, in turn, ensured that warm meals and a clean home awaited his return. The limits on her life, however, isolated her and created an environment where he could abuse her freely. Hannah had vowed to love him until death parted them, but she feared that death would come for her soon.
Reading and visiting the market were her only means to escape Sean’s influence on her life. Shopping for baked goods one morning, a handsome man caught her eye. Ryan was clearly attracted to her, and Hannah enjoyed the attention. She was beginning to form a life of her own, something that she needed badly. Sean had destroyed her self- worth, and so even small steps helped her climb out of that darkness. For a moment, she felt beautiful.
Walking to the library later that week, she noticed a “Help Wanted” sign in the window of a small cafe. She stopped in and was quickly hired. Hannah worked at the cafe while Sean was away each day; she gained confidence and began to form friendships with her coworkers and the man from the market, Ryan. Enjoying her new life away from Sean, Hannah wondered if she could leave him completely. Familiar with his rages, she worried that she could never be safe.
In The Darkest Place, Helen Walters writes the story of a woman who desires a life away from her abusive husband. Hannah’s struggles will probably be familiar to many readers. She believes in marriage and her commitments, and this devotion has endangered her life. Walters relates the story with a passion that most likely entails a personal understanding of abuse. Although the characters are not fully developed, the portrayal of an abused wife and her steps toward independence is unique and valuable. Hannah’s story is one that will ultimately bring hope to those experiencing similar circumstances.
Helen Walters’ The Darkest Place is a tale of love and suffering. Adult female readers who are living through their own difficult marriages will find inspiration in Hannah’s attempts to form a positive life for herself. Still any reader wanting to read for solely entertainment will also enjoy Walters’ book. The Darkest Place is an easy and yet thought-provoking read. Walters has added Hannah’s story to others that portray abusive marriages. Whether they are seeking hope, diversion, or entertainment, readers will enjoy Helen Walters’ The Darkest Place.
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