Anna Parkman's Book Review
Disclosure: This descriptive book review is not an endorsement, but a review of the authors metaphorically adaptive style. Use of the authors' own comments from the book are in italics to depict the sophistication and depth of her thoughts and feelings.
Sometimes the right book can be the magic formula that can help change the course of a child's life, and to act as an aide in the repair of childhood traumas that can be the root cause of many troubles, misfortunes, and illnesses.
In Apocalyptin, the author daringly spearheads new and powerful psychological techniques and tools spun into a metaphorical tale to help a young teenage boy overcome an emotionally neglectful past. Through a mixture of graphic images and intense dialogue such as, "My father is a monster," Apocalyptin presents a dramatically charged narrative to help release the power of healing from within.
Thirteen-year-old, Odi, has been a victim of his severely dysfunctional family since he was a toddler of two. He lives in the constant fear, shame, and stress associated with the cruelty of his reality — physical and mental abuse by the very people who should love and protect him. His whole life has been filled with darkness, misery – and hopelessness. His close friend, Dina, is also a victim of domestic abuse…including rape, and is trapped in a miserable life such as he.
Through this mystical fairytale called Apocalyptin, Odi meets several magical heroes including an angel, one of Santa's elves, a golden griffin (dragon), and a metaphoric, whimsical fairy who speaks from the heart. Using this type of communication from the fairy's point of view helps the author speak in a less authoritative manner as to not intimidate the reader.
Apocalyptin is designed to help victims of child abuse realize that, with clinical help, their reality could be a life filled with love, laughter, and abundance. Here, the author effectively explains that, understanding is essential to developing the critical thinking skills necessary to discover a new reality and educate them that suffering is a choice; negative or positive — and that these choices can impact their lives forever.
Apocalyptins' author sets a philosophy that, in order for someone to have a chance at life's opportunities and accomplish great things, they need to abandon the dark path of anger, revenge resentment, hatred, and violence. Odi soon learns that many people get stuck in negative situations; "life always has some sort of pain," the fairy said. "But to hold onto negative feelings and deep beliefs about oneself in a world created by the mind of a young, traumatized child – is a sign of total defeat."
Среди символических инструментов, которые автор выбрала для своей истории, есть волшебный фонарик, позволяющий Оди увидеть внутреннего ребёнка своих обидчиков. Когда фея показывает маленького плачущего ребёнка в коробке внутри его отчима (метафорически, коробка защищает внутреннего ребёнка, чтобы он смог пережить травматические события), Оди испытывает смешанные чувства. Однако, зная, что это тот самый монстр, который оскорблял, бил и высмеивал его на протяжении десяти лет, Оди сначала отказывается участвовать в этом эксперименте: «Никто не пытался спасти меня!»
Through the fairy, the author introduces Odi to a new truth to discover – the power of empathy. The fairy said, "To realize another's pain and to show compassion for the inner child of an abusive offender – is a sign of tremendous strength. But returning to hate, fear, fury, and resentment, hiding in a box within oneself — therein is where the true weakness lies."
The fairy could sense Odi's pain and said, "Nothing since the day you were born has ever been your fault. In most cases, abused children become adults with a traumatized psyche. Therefore, children who were abused or were hurt in the past grew up and started hurting others."
The fairy then revealed Odi's own inner-child to him; it was time to help set him free. She stated, "Now…please…come over to this little you. Give him a big hug…" By focusing on the child within, and using self-psychology, the author demonstrates Odi's ability to exhibit the love, support, and compassion that he'd never received from others. He didn't have a loving mother and father to hug or love him, but the fairy reveals his own inner child to love. "Come to him now, please," the fairy said. "Come to yourself and give your all to heal yourself with love! It is never too late to give love and support to your little one…to yourself." A very powerful revelation transpires when Odi rushes towards the little one (his inner self), and hugs him tightly as he had always dreamed of being hugged by someone who loved him. The author stated, He sobbed like a wounded wolf. He cried out all his soul's pain and the bodily injuries he had received in his 13-years – no longer feeling disgraced by his tears. Very powerful.
Big Odi snuggled Little Odi. "I love you; I love you, kid. I'm gonna give you the love that you didn't have…that I didn't have." By going through this transformation of his own consciousness, Odi is able to shift his perception to help change his mindset – and begins the process of healing. But to do so, Odi must first rid himself of his own demons (negative emotions), change his response to events, and show love and empathy – even to people who try to hurt him. Only then can he help save his friend Dina and the others from their wrongdoers.
Odi finally finds Dina after a vicious beating by her mother, and she is very angry. Together, he and the fairy work with Dina to help drive her personal demons away. The fairy said, "Now that you fully understand the way it works, you will take care of your emotions, thoughts, feelings, and words. If you allow yourself to spread the rotten slime of resentment, anger, blame… the demons will be right there waiting."
To conclude, Odi and Dina have learned that in choosing negative or positive manifestations of yourself, you can either add a deposit to the account of your dream life or withdraw in favor of your old life. The fairy said, "Live with love and gratitude. Be grateful for everything around you…" They chose to rid themselves of resentment and revenge focusing their attention on building a prosperous and happy future.
С уважением представлен,
Беверли Меласи-Хааг
Первый бывший президент Ассоциации писателей Южной Флориды
Инновационная психология
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