Title: A Soul Less Broken
Author: Helen Laibach
Publisher: Wheatmark
ISBN: 9781604944662
Pages: 178, Paperback
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Reviewed by: Beth Adams, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
Helen Laibach writes her first novel titled, A Soul Less Broken, a tale about a young woman victimized by a man. Laibach has written a brilliant novel that brings this theme to a terrifying pinnacle in a story about rape, healing, friendships, and the power of love.Catherine Wilcox was awarded a full scholarship to law school. Her father wasn’t supportive of her going to school to further her education. In fact, he was both apathetic and distant to Catherine and her mother over the years. Unfortunately, Catherine’s mother was in extremely poor health; being a chronic smoker, emphysema had gotten the best of her. On her deathbed, Cathy’s mother explained that her dad was never faithful and had many affairs throughout their marriage. Furthermore, he was unhappy when Catherine’s mother became pregnant, and resented Catherine; feeling he didn’t want any part of the marriage, nor any parental responsibility. Her mother passed away shortly thereafter, leaving Catherine determined to pursue her dreams.
Catherine was studying late at the university library one evening and while she was walking to her car she was brutally attacked and severely beaten. In the hospital, the emergency room physician, Dr. Peterson, worked vigorously trying to save her life. He immediately felt a very strong connection to Catherine; a feeling that she was his soul mate. Dr. Peterson never experienced those feelings before, and didn’t understand why he felt that way to a complete stranger. These feelings would eventually become mutual.
After being released from the hospital, Catherine suffered severe and often chronic episodes of psychological depression from being victimized. Catherine would never be able to have children as a result of her being raped. She was so devastated that she wished she had died instead of surviving the attack and tired to commit suicide; ending up back in the hospital. When Dr. Peterson was informed of the latest events he wanted to do everything in his power to protect and help Catherine get better. He called Madeline Jessups who is an “intuitive counselor” to help Catherine. Madeline was a personal friend to Dr. Peterson and considered to be one of the best in her field. Initially, Catherine was resistant to therapy. Madeline eventually explained to Catherine she too was a rape victim and has a child by the name of Samantha from the attack. This is when real work of healing started, forming a friendship as trust was established between the two women.
Dr. Peterson and Catherine started dating briefly, although their feelings for each other were mutual, Catherine was still struggling with her Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of the attack. She decided to terminate the relationship based on her own fears and feelings of worthlessness.
With intensive therapy, Catherine slowly was able to gain control over her life, learning to trust and love again. She becomes more free and mentally at ease while legally trying to put the man that raped her behind bars. But truly disturbing things arise when Catherine’s attacker is on the witness stand, in front of her and Madeline. There are various disarming twists throughout the story that will shock the reader. Catherine wants justice, fighting hard to help other women struggling with the same issues. She becomes a victim’s advocate; going on talk shows, news shows, getting her message out about abuse against women. Her case was making news both locally and nationally. Justice was eventually served.
This victory is short lived when Madeline is diagnosed with a brain tumor that is classified as a grade IV, Glioblastoma Multiforme. This type of cancer is one of the most deadly and malignant types one can get. Dr. Peterson tries everything he can to save her life. Read how Catherine copes with her close friend’s illness, and how this makes her a stronger person. The final goodbye letter Madeline writes to her friend really helps Catherine to come full circle in her life.
Dr. Peterson has always been Catherine’s biggest fan throughout this moving story, never giving up that one day he would reunite with Catherine. Catherine transformed before his very eyes; from a timid, battered victim, into a woman whose strength knew no boundaries. Catherine and Dr. Peterson finally reunite, and Catherine is able to love and be loved.
This book is well written and the characters are convincingly portrayed. The darkness and poignancy of this story enthralled me from beginning to end. What makes this story most frightening is that rape victims can be, and often are, tormented by these same scenarios. In Laibachs’ skillful hands, the psychological impacts are brought home in a frightening way. I wanted the perpetrator to pay for what he did more than anything — that’s an excellent indication the story and its characters will touch readers in a deep level. Yes, this book is also a love story, but certainly not in the conventional sense. It will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
