Scarred: A Memoir

George Molho
iUniverse (2010)
ISBN 9781440195136
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (1/11)


“Scarred: A Memoir” is a book that that reads like fiction but is all too real. It is disturbing and inspirational at the same time. It echoes the emotions of all those who have experienced the trauma of mental and physical abuse. Most importantly, it effectively encourages those who are ready to move forward to begin the process through self-reflection and empowerment.

In 1978, seven-year-old George Molho was kidnapped by his own father. For a year, he survived mental and physical abuse to the point of torture. Mr. Molho eventually escaped, but as his story documents, surviving the aftermath proved to be much more difficult than the author, now in his early thirties, could have imagined.

His struggle to set himself free of the memories of his hellish ordeal is expressed early on by the author when he is recalling his first visit to a therapist.  “My face, my body, my grin, my teeth – all of me screamed, ‘Why don’t you believe me? Why don’t you believe me, Mom?’ He (the therapist) completely disavowed my story. After that, I did not speak again.” But for many years, George Molho spoke to himself inside his head as he began his own journey forward. His self-reflections and the strong-willed, unwavering support of his beloved grandmother are lovingly shared throughout the story.

The author’s reflections of his life and family are richly detailed portraits and his writing style draws the reader into the family circle effortlessly, although I sometimes found the broken English dialogue a bit of a distraction. Despite the inhuman behavior of his father, the support he is blanketed with from other family members makes an undeniable case for family value.

“Scarred: A Memoir” is an unlikely, but true story. Some might contend that the author’s reactions and actions in response to his ordeal are unlikely, that they are simply too positive to comprehend. But that is the point that I believe George Molho is trying to make. No matter how unlikely the experience, the power of positive thinking and the embracement of empowerment will prevail and propel you forward.

Mr. Molho concludes his story with the unidentified quote “As long as I breathe I hope, as long as I hope I breathe.” Throughout “Scarred: A Memoir” his story and words inspire.

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