Set in 1960s and ’70s Australia, “The Blood on My Hands” is the dramatic tale of Shannon O’Leary’s childhood years. O’Leary grew up under the shadow of horrific domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, and serial murder. Her story is one of courageous resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors.
The responses of those whom O’Leary and her immediate family reach out to for help are almost as disturbing as the crimes of her violent father. Relatives are afraid to bring disgrace to the family’s good name, nuns condemn the child’s objections as disobedience and noncompliance, and laws at the time prevent the police from interfering unless someone is killed.
“The Blood on My Hands” is a heartbreaking-yet riveting-narrative of a childhood spent in pain and terror, betrayed by the people who are supposed to provide safety and understanding, and the strength and courage it takes, not just to survive and escape, but to flourish and thrive.
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Sexual Content - 5/5
5/5
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Violence - 5/5
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Language - 2/5
2/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 4/5
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Summary
This autobiography is like seeing a bad road accident - you don't want to look, but you do. This disturbing book tells of the author growing up in Australia in the 1960s. She comes from a poor family who live out in the bush. She has a very abusive father who constantly beats her mother and also sexually abuses the young girl. She tells of his personality traits where he dresses up in women's clothing and pretends to be her grandmother. He appears to have several personalities and is obviously a psychopathic person. Shannon witnesses her father abusing other girls and also believes that he has killed both humans and animals, though that has never been proved. Shannon and her mother try to report the abuse, but the police say they cannot be involved in domestic violence and the nuns at school think the girl is making up stories and do nothing.
The abuse depicted in the book is very graphic and one wonders how this child survived. Her childhood must have been horrific and is difficult to imagine.
I just wish that as an adult, she could have proved some of the things she said her father had done, as bringing him to justice would have given some closure. Not for the faint of heart, but an interesting book that gives some insight into how some people were forced to live.