COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 11, 2009 — While the title sounds idyllic, “The Girl From Gladden Street” (published by iUniverse), by Jeannette McDonald, takes the reader through the author’s painful childhood and scarred past with personal short stories detailing her shattered rite of passage into a continuing quest for peace.
The subject matter of the abusive house where McDonald grew up is as painful and personal as it gets. McDonald shares her memories openly and simply, with a deft touch that draws the reader right into the drama. The young girl’s dreary world in a West Virginia town in the 1950s comes to life and captivates, even as it breaks the heart. Several family photos accompany the text to enhance the images in the reader’s mind.
Having watched her father abuse her mother, McDonald is devastated to later witness the mental breakdown of her mother. The fear, shame and grief is palpable as she recounts the day her mother was carried out of the family’s home in a straitjacket — a day that would haunt her for years to come. Death and darkness seem to envelop the beautiful little round-face girl on the misnamed street.
The stories move along with McDonald to later in her life, where as a wife and mother, she continues to struggle with and work through the problems borne of her upbringing. There are different challenges along the way, but McDonald shares them honestly with a tinge of humor. Out of her broken dreams, she is able to find joy in the fulfillment of childhood wishes and the love of family.
It is with this sense of hope that McDonald decided to pen the book. Memories came flooding back to her as she sat down to put it onto paper and she is hoping by sharing with others, those who can relate will let the stories resonate with them and carry them through their difficulties. “The Girl From Gladden Street” may be all grown up, but that little girl is still there, waiting to be discovered and loved.
About the Author:
Jeannette McDonald married her husband, Monte, when he was on leave from the Air Force while serving in Paris. She and her husband traveled all over the United States — from Alaska to Hawaii. Jeannette now lives in Columbus, Ohio. This is her first book.
iUniverse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit www.iuniverse.com.
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