Happiful October 2019
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For victims of gaslighting and<br />
emotional abuse, it can feel<br />
like there is nowhere to turn<br />
her struggle to become<br />
a version of herself that<br />
can be seen as more<br />
acceptable, is truly<br />
painful to read; how<br />
often do you secondguess<br />
yourself before<br />
speaking up? Have you<br />
ever given in, in the<br />
hopes that it will help<br />
you fit in more? That<br />
if you can just say the<br />
right words, it will all be<br />
alright?<br />
Lex’s struggle to<br />
balance her own<br />
feelings and the<br />
expectations of those<br />
around her act as an<br />
unexpected reflection<br />
of what many of us may<br />
have subconsciously<br />
experienced, forcing<br />
us to question our own<br />
actions and motivations<br />
under a new light.<br />
Should I read it?<br />
Yes. Yes. 100% yes.<br />
This year, I’ve read<br />
books that have made<br />
me laugh, cry, and feel<br />
inspired, but Furious<br />
Thing has been the<br />
one book that has<br />
truly made me angry.<br />
Sharing uncomfortable<br />
but vital issues around<br />
emotional abuse,<br />
maternal depression,<br />
misdiagnosis, emotional<br />
control, and so much<br />
more – within the<br />
first few chapters, you<br />
will be left wanting to<br />
hug Lex and tell her<br />
everything is going to<br />
be OK.<br />
In some ways,<br />
physical abuse is<br />
easier to prove– there’s<br />
something tangible<br />
that others can witness.<br />
When it comes to<br />
emotional abuse,<br />
things can be so much<br />
more insidious. Often<br />
hidden behind closed<br />
doors, abusers may<br />
show one face to the<br />
outside world, then<br />
another to those who<br />
know (or suspect) their<br />
secrets. For victims<br />
of gaslighting and<br />
emotional abuse, it<br />
can feel like there is<br />
nowhere to turn: who<br />
will believe them?<br />
Where is the proof?<br />
Lex’s journey is an<br />
emotional one. It<br />
shows how we all have<br />
the power to protect<br />
ourselves, to stand<br />
together, to stand up<br />
for what’s right – if we<br />
embrace our anger and<br />
fury, and refuse to let<br />
despair and sadness<br />
win.<br />
If you liked this, you’ll love...<br />
Must<br />
Reads<br />
Furious Thing by<br />
Jenny Downham<br />
Out 3 <strong>October</strong> <strong>2019</strong><br />
(David Fickling<br />
Books, £12.99)<br />
Shrill: Notes from<br />
a Loud Woman<br />
by Lindy West<br />
The Power by<br />
Naomi Alderman<br />
The Girl With<br />
All The Gifts<br />
by MR Carey<br />
GREAT FOR...<br />
• Fans of young adult<br />
fiction<br />
Book covers | amazon.co.uk<br />
Women are told, from birth,<br />
that it’s our job to be small.<br />
Lindy West seeks to obliterate<br />
that expectation, sharing her<br />
journey from crippling shyness<br />
to becoming one of the loudest,<br />
most fearless feminists online.<br />
All over the world, women<br />
are discovering they have the<br />
power. Suddenly, every man<br />
on the planet finds they’ve lost<br />
control. The day of the girls<br />
has arrived – but where will<br />
it end?<br />
Every morning, Melanie<br />
waits in her cell to be<br />
collected for class. They<br />
keep their guns pointed<br />
while strapping her into the<br />
wheelchair. Melanie is a very<br />
special girl.<br />
• Readers interested<br />
in complex topics<br />
• Those who enjoy<br />
strong female-lead<br />
novels
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