Today as a change I am reviewing a True Crime non-fiction book. This is an autobiography by Shannon O’Leary set in the Outbacks of Australia in the 1960/70’s. It is not for the faint-hearted it makes for a difficult read in places but this is a true story and for that reason I kept reading. It is a very eye opening story that I am pleased to have had the opportunity to read.
The Blood on My Hands: An Autobiography by Shannon O’Leary
Available from AMAZON
Goodreads link
Set in 1960s and ’70s Australia, “The Blood on My Hands” is the dramatic tale of Shannon O’Leary’s childhood years. O’Leary grew up under the shadow of horrific domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, and serial murder. Her story is one of courageous resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors.
The responses of those whom O’Leary and her immediate family reach out to for help are almost as disturbing as the crimes of her violent father. Relatives are afraid to bring disgrace to the family’s good name, nuns condemn the child’s objections as disobedience and noncompliance, and laws at the time prevent the police from interfering unless someone is killed.
“The Blood on My Hands” is a heartbreaking-yet riveting-narrative of a childhood spent in pain and terror, betrayed by the people who are supposed to provide safety and understanding, and the strength and courage it takes, not just to survive and escape, but to flourish and thrive.
My Review
This is an autobiography based in the outbacks of Australia and tells the story of the life of Shannon O’Leary.
Shannon had a traumatic life living in poverty with a father who had a severe personality disorder she sees and suffers things that no child should. The main thing that stands out is Shannon’s love for her mother and that is reciprocated in full. The females support each other through thick and thin.
I am not familiar with the Australian culture so in part I found some of the book very hard to accept. However, I think we have to consider the vastness of the Australian Outbacks. How can these things happen and continue to happen while nobody takes any action didn’t sit well with me but this is a true story. A heart-breaking one.
What does come accross very successfully is a person’s determination to survive. The constant hope that one day things will get better. Shannon’s coping mechanisms make for very engaging reading it is eye opening how, even at a young age, she managed to find ways to focus her mind away from what was happening to her.
A very good read that opened my mind to the possibility that if this was going on in Australia 50-60 years ago then maybe it was happening here too – maybe it still is.
Thank you to Book Publicity Services and the author for the digital copy of this book. This is my unbiased review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
