Title: Houston Has A Problem!: The Shocking Real-Life Story of A Sexually Abused Child
Author: Saint Andrews
Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
ISBN/ASIN: 978-1665590037
Pages: 278
Genre: LGBTQ+ Biographies / Motivational Self-Help
Reviewed by: Christina Avina
Pacific Book Review
There are many horrors and shocking actions that people take in this world against one another. Murder, kidnapping, parental abuse, and so much more pollute our society, yet only by speaking up against it and fighting to take control away from those who would instill pain and fear in us all can we hope to overcome these monstrous acts. None may be more shocking and heartbreaking than sexual assault, especially against a child. The pain that an event like that causes a person is overwhelming to hear, but the need to show the path for those who have endured it which will allow them to take control of their lives again is so important and crucial to our world.
In author Saint Andrews’s Houston Has A Problem!: The Shocking Real-Life Story of A Sexually Abused Child, the author explores his own struggles with childhood abuse (both physical and sexual), and the cascading series of events that followed throughout his life. Taking readers through the formative years of his childhood and the harrowing experiences that defined it, the author explores how he joined the US Army, went on a spiritual journey, came to terms with his sexuality, overcame substance abuse and found success first as a music executive and later as a writer, all while motivating readers with the means to overcome trauma.
This was a truly moving and emotional read. First and foremost, readers should know this book comes with a trigger warning, as there are very descriptive memories of the author’s abuse and childhood trauma that could trigger anyone who may have experienced that for themselves. However, the writing itself was so powerful and invoked such tearful reactions out of this reader. The events that the author had to deal with and the confusion and pain he had to overcome as he came to terms with these events was heartbreaking to say the least. The author found the perfect balance of memoir-style narrative work with motivational lessons embedded in the struggles and work that went into his life as a result of that trauma, and what really shined in this book was how the author used these events to fuel his journey of finding success and strength within himself.
A book like this is meant for those who are fully engaged in memoir and biography style writing, especially those that delve into LGBTQ+ style themes, themes of racism and history, and overcoming sexual abuse and trauma. A strong advocate for these themes, I as a reader found myself emotionally invested in the authors story, and was moved by the honesty and emotion for which he wrote of his struggle and moments of personal strength overall.
