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Quite likely the most heartbreaking memoir this reader has encountered, and without a doubt, the most hopeful.

A present-day top-tier Hollywood stunt-woman, as a child, Kimberly Shannon Murphy endured pain and trauma no child should ever encounter. Left vulnerable and entirely unprotected by her parents, Kimberly was targeted by an evil predator, a horrific repeat abuser within the close ranks of her own family.

As the adult Kimberly tells her story, – her desperation to rise above the horror of her childhood and not only survive but thrive – it is outlined here with such candor, courage and extraordinary authenticity that it’s impossible for the reader to not only feel compassion but awe for her healing journey, and the hope it so clearly inspires.

As teenage Kimberley slowly begins to remember portions of her childhood, (previously suppressed due to the associated level of trauma), fighting her inner demons becomes a chaotic jumble of eating disorders, self-harm, flashbacks and other dissociative behavior she is unable to understand the relevance of, or therefore control.

Healing, Kimberly finds, is a long and laborious process, aided early on by a tentative compassionate connection with her mother, and a strong emotional bond with her quietly heroic Aunt Pat. As Kimberley’s discovered passion for dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, martial arts and other physicalities begin to factor in her healing journey, she gradually uncovers the supports that will allow her to set emotional boundaries and re-connect with her broken inner child.

“Know yourself
Know your worth
Know where you’re going“

I loved this book, the brutality it reveals tempered by the conviction that we can heal – all of us – no matter the details of our individual story. If we can just find, and hang on to, our own flickering, glimmering lifeline to our own inner truth.