#BookReview: P S I Love You: A Broken Legacy by D G Kaye @pokercubster
Hi everyone. Good news: my long awaited chest x-Ray shows my lungs are clear! Yay! 😁🎉. The issues seem to be down to an overactive immune system, which the new tablets are helping with, plus all the inhalers, lols. I appreciate all of your well wishes and support over these many months.
I owe an apology for not being around online much this last week or so. My first COVID vaccine has hit me hard and left me tired and with headaches. I’m well on the mend, though, and glad I’ve had the first dose.
Today, I have a book review for an author I’ve known and admired for a long time, Debby Kaye. Her honesty and bravery shine through in this book of non-fiction, and I feel it’s one everybody should read >>>
About the Book:
Confronted with resurfacing feelings of guilt, D.G. Kaye is tormented by her decision to remain estranged from her dying emotionally abusive mother after resolving to banish her years ago, an event she has shared in her book Conflicted Hearts.
In P.S. I Forgive You, Kaye takes us on a compelling heartfelt journey as she seeks to understand the roots of her mother’s narcissism, let go of past hurts, and find forgiveness for both her mother and herself.
After struggling for decades to break free, Kaye has severed the unhealthy ties that bound her to her dominating mother—but now Kaye battles new confliction, as the guilt she harbors over her decision only increases as the end of her mother’s life draws near.
Kaye once again struggles with her conscience and her feelings of being obligated to return to a painful past she thought she left behind.
My Review:
As soon as I saw what this book was about, I had to read it, and I am so pleased I did.
Because of the difficult subject matter, and my own history, I had to take a deep breath before I plunged in. Not only has this writer’s honesty and bravery helped me to understand my parents a little better, it has also shown me precisely what my sister has become. I’d missed that, and this explains so very much.
It is a sad fact of life that, all too often, the victim becomes the perpertrator, unless we have the insight and strength to do something about it. I have long joked that I’m the reverse ‘black sheep’ of my family, and it seems to me that Debby is too. For all our successes, and the miracle of growing into well-adjusted adults in spite of it all, we will never be accepted by a parent who demands that we live their lies, manipulations, and abuses. The same with any sibling who demands the same.
Some lines that resonated with me in particular:
‘A narcissistic mother doesn’t have to be in one’s presence. She can still demand and demean no matter how far away.’
and
‘It is my decision to banish my mother from my life and a resolution to find peace within myself with my decision.’
and
‘[…] if we’re lucky enough to realize the bad, we have the opportunity to steer ourselves in a better direction.’
For a while now, I have struggled to think of what I will do when one or the other of my parents dies. I’m not even sure they would let me know, at this stage. And reading this honest and brave account from D G Kaye has helped me immensely. It has also helped to explain the till-now inexplicable behaviour of my twin sister. She has grown up with emotional neglect, as did I, and has now become a narcissist. This book has helped me to identify why she lives and behaves the way she does.
From my own life, I know how hard it is to go against the grain to become your own person despite your upbringing. It takes work, day by day, to resist some of those unhealthy habits instilled in us as children and to trust our judgements and motives. It takes courage to not give in to the insidious lack of self-esteem with which such adults are often left. The author has overcome much, and I admire her deeply both for her acheivements and for putting her journey into words so that others of us can also be helped.
PS I Forgive You: A Broken Legacy gets a solid and resounding 5 stars from me. A difficult read, but a book everybody should read.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
<3 Hugs Harmony.
Good to hear you are feeling better, Harmony. It is a beautiful review, especially because you explain how personal the book is to you and how much it speaks to your own experiences. Thanks for sharing those and for recommending Kaye’s work. She is a source of insight to many. Stay safe.
Thanks so much, Olga. Debby sure is a great source of insight and inspiration 🙂
Thank you Olga. <3 x
So happy you have some positive news on the health issues. Hoping you feel better each day. 💗 Wonderful review and glad it helped you figure some things out and gave you much-needed insight.
Thanks so much, Sarah 💕🙂
Beautiful sentiments behind this review, Harmony! It truly was hard for you reading about something that touches so close to home. It’s wonderful that you have come full circle as did Debby in handling similar situations in your life. I commend you. Go girl! I wish you much good things in life and much love. Keep going forward.
I read this heart wrenching book too and enjoyed it. I did not have parents like that but I did have a difficult marriage with a controlling spouse. Take care and stay strong! Hugs x
Thanks for your lovely words. You take good care too. Thanks, Janice. Hugs x
Thank you Janice xx
Hugs Janice. <3
Congratulations Debby on Harmony’s wonderful review. I also enjoyed P.S. I Love you too.
Thanks, Marjorie 🙂
Thank you Marje xx
Fantastic review, Harmony. I’m sorry both you and Debby had to go through such an ordeal. You are proof people don’t have to be a victim of their circumstances.
So happy to hear your lungs are clear. I know that’s a huge relief.
A huge relief. For sure, we do have a choice, even if it’s not an obvious or easy one. Thanks, Joan 🙂
An excellent review of Debby’s book. I think it will help many people like yourself. Debby was very brave to write it.
She sure was. Thanks, Darlene 🙂
A fabulous review, Harmony. This one is waiting for me and your review made me want to hurry it up! Thank you for sharing! And good news on the lung x-ray!! Here’s to feeling better soon!
Thanks so much, Jan. I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of this read 🙂
Wonderful to know you’re feeling better, Harmony. You’ve been through so much. Thanks for sharing this powerful, personal review with us. Bravo to Debby! Her words are healing hearts. That’s an absolute gift. Take great care. xo
Thanks so much, Natalie 🙂 You take care too xx
Blow me away with a feather Harmony. I am truly humbled and elated that you got so much from my book. I’m also sorry you shared a similar upbringing – blacksheep, narcissists, sounding only too familiar. I’m thrilled this book helped you find some semblance of ‘aha’ and put some things in perspective from your own life. I’m sorry that your sister got caught up in the narcissism. As you know, we either become a product of our environment, or end up the total opposite. I’m happy you chose the higher road, although I know it couldn’t have been easy. Thank you again, and I’m happy to hear your lungs are fine and you got the jab! <3
A great book and one many could benefit from reading. Thanks, Debby 🙂❤️
Thanks again Harmony. Hugs xo
This sounds like a powerful yet emotional read. I’m sorry both you and Debby have had to experience such dreadful aspects with parents and siblings, but I’m glad you’ve both moved on to recognize and overcome the pitfalls from childhood. What an excellent review, Harmony! And I’m so glad to hear your lungs are clear and your health is on the mend. Fingers crossed that the vaccine side effects disappear quickly!
It certainly is a powerful read. Glad you liked the review. Thanks for your lovely comments, Mae 🙂
Glad you finally have some answers on the health front. This sounds like a much needed book for many people.
Thanks, Craig. Sadly, I agree a lot of people would benefit from this book 🙂
Thrilled you’re feeling better on all fronts, Harmony.
Your review sure made me think, though in my case, the manipulative one was one of our daughters and I still have no idea why.
I’m sorry to hear that, Sarah. Wishing you all the best and thanks for your comments 🙂
So pleased your x-rays were clear Harmony and it must be a huge relief.. A wonderful review for Debby’s book, and I agree wholeheartedly… Will share in the weekly news on 14th..
Hubby and I are so releived. The share will be a wonderful extra boost. Thanks so much, Sally 🙂
What an insightful review, Harmony. It is a book on my TBR list, and I can see the benefits in reading it! It’s a gift when a book can touch you like it did. Xo
It sure is. Thanks, Denise 🙂
HI Harmony, thank you for this lovely review and I am very glad to know it helped you understand you own past and relationships.
It gave a new insight into some dark corners. Thanks, Robbie 🙂
I’m sure it was an emotional read for you. Thanks for sharing your review. I’m glad to hear your lungs are clear and that the meds are helping!
It sure was, but so inspiring. Thanks, Priscilla 🙂
This was a heart-felt review, Harmony. I am so sorry you did not have the kind of relationship with your parents that all kids deserve. I’m glad Debby’s book helped with that. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you got the first jab and that you are on the mend.
Thanks for your kind words and support, John 🙂