I’ll Raise You Ten, by Denise O’Donnell Adams

A friend of mine recommended this book. I don’t usually read memoirs, but it sounded interesting so I downloaded it. The recount of Denise O’Donnell Adams’s life reads like a fiction novel—not because I don’t believe it, but because the way she writes captures the attention of the reader and doesn’t let them go. She invites you behind the darkest screens of her life as she confronts the monsters from her early years. There were times when I laughed, covered my mouth in surprise, cringed and felt my stomach fall in sympathy and horror.

The 1950-70s were a different time to raise kids, and raising ten had to be a challenge. In this modern era, where parents are held accountable for so much, it’s amazing that previous parent generations were held accountable for so little. I commend this author for telling her story and drawing awareness to topics such as neglect, alcoholism, sexual abuse, drug abuse, mental disorders and questionable love. My only complaint was how it wrapped up so quickly. I wanted to read more. Maybe another book in the future about surviving abuse and finding success will come next. Looking forward to reading more from this heartfelt author.