Narcissistic Predicaments: A Biblical Guide to Navigating the Schemes, Snares, and No-Win Situations Unique to Abusive Families

Sister Renee Pittelli
Outskirts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781432750442
Reviewed by Marissa Libbit for Reader Views (11/10)

“Narcissistic Predicaments” by Sister Renee Pittelli is a how-to guide to help victims of family abuse to navigate family relationships with Biblical principles as a guide.  The book really begins when the victim has already left the abusive situation.  Such issues that are covered are how to deal with holidays, whether or not to allow estranged relatives to visit your children, and how to handle the rituals involved when an estranged relative dies.  There are many explanations that help a victim to deal with possible contradictory feelings vs. what the Bible says.  For example, the Bible telling people to honor their fathers and mothers is explained in this way:  “In the Bible, ‘father’ and ‘mother’ do not mean ‘sperm donor’ and ‘egg donor.’  It takes far more than that to qualify as a ‘father’ or a ‘mother’ by Biblical standards.”  Other topics include forgiveness and reconciliation, both of which Sister Pittelli explains in such a way as to give victims the right to not forgive if the abuser has not repented or to reconcile or not.

“Narcissistic Predicaments” is written by a woman who is a victim’s advocate.  I applaud her desire to help Christian victims to interpret the Bible in terms that help them to deal with their relationships with family abusers.  There are many, many quotes from scripture highlighted.  It is often difficult for one to escape from her family when that is the very thing that needs to be done.  I find it sad that family members can inflict such abuse on their own loved ones, and the effects of the abuse seem to linger when family is involved.  The book will help those entrenched in such abuse even after distancing themselves from the abuser.  The only qualm I had about the book is that Sister Pittelli spent a great deal of time specifically emphasizing her own family difficulties.  I am sensitive to Sister Pittelli’s experiences and do not doubt them, but sometimes the book came across as a vehicle to bash her family rather than give support for victims.  Examples are important to helping others feel like they aren’t alone, but examples from a variety of victims (although a few others were shared) might have been more helpful.

Make comment on weblog

FTC Disclosure