Title: Vienna’s Will
Author: Mark McCullough
Publisher: CreateSpace
ASIN: 978-1496012777
Pages: 254
Genre: Non-Fiction/Self-Improvement/Psychology
Reviewed by: Debbie L. Sklar
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Pacific Book Review
From the first page to the last page, “Vienna’s Will” is a book that grabbed me and had me so interested with its topics on depression, addiction, and sexual abuse, that it totally changed my view on the genre. When I opened the 251-page book, with its austere navy blue cover, white lettering and barbwire designs above and below its masthead, I couldn’t put it down; in fact, I finished it in two sittings.McCullough takes readers on a journey – not just any journey – his personal journey from the time he was a young boy to a grown man. In an autobiographical storytelling voice, he tackled sexual abuse from several people close to him that he trusted; had many bouts with drug and alcohol abuse; contemplated suicide more than once; and finally, he committed a crime that landed him in a federal prison.
Not just a tell-all memoir, McCullough seemingly wrote his story with ease and fluidity, although I am sure it was painful for him to relive much of it. His style skillfully draws in the reader immediately, revealing information at the right times, and pacing the story to retain a heightened level of intrigue.
This first-time author shares with us what it was like growing up in a normal and loving home with his father who he looked up to. His father was a therapist and a church deacon, and his mother who “Could never do anything wrong,” in her son’s eyes. He also had siblings, but very few friends. The friends that he did have weren’t really friends; they used and abused him – literally.
McCullough led a rollercoaster journey through his years in college. He was selling drugs, became homeless for a period which all led to his getting caught up in a robbery. The way he describes all of this, with the suspense of the robbery, created heart-pounding reading. Rather than looking at him as someone who got on the wrong track, I found myself rooting for him to get well and sober up.
He writes firsthand and reflects about his time in prison. With a stint of solitary confinement, plus having to meet with clinical psychiatrists in prison, the system is described from behind the bars in a fascination vantage point. In prison he was nearly raped, beaten, while all throughout his journey it would be described that he clearly was “Wearing his heart on his sleeve.” Throughout Vienna’s Will, I found myself truly feeling sorry for him and his many horrific circumstances, uniquely an opposing feeling based on his social characterization. This personified his character and is what I attribute his skillful writing produced; quite outstanding once again for a debut book.
Without giving away too much, McCullough continued his story after he married, gained a daughter, lost his parents to illness, and eventually found himself losing control of his own health quite unexpectedly.
When I read the last page and the epilogue that followed, I was deeply moved and found myself feeling proud of McCullough for bearing his soul and telling us his story. I would recommend Vienna’s Will as therapeutic insight to anyone who might be feeling bad about their lives — be it depression, sexual abuse, drug abuse, or whatever. It will make you see your own life in a different light and perhaps give you a new outlook on important things that matter, but just as insightfully, show the things that really don’t matter in the grand scheme of life.
Vienna’s Will is a real, raw, open, story by the author. The subject matter is sensitive and this is taken into consideration with each page. It shows you that you are not alone, and is a true story that others will be able to relate to. Even if you have not been a victim of sexual abuse this is a great eye opener to your heart. This is a good first step to recovery and building a new future after the darkness.
