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The Monster I Loved: The true story of a young girl and her father's betrayal. Paperback – December 15, 2019
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length229 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateDecember 15, 2019
- Dimensions5 x 0.58 x 8 inches
- ISBN-101916321216
- ISBN-13978-1916321212
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Product details
- Publisher : Fortis Publishing Services Ltd. (December 15, 2019)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 229 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1916321216
- ISBN-13 : 978-1916321212
- Item Weight : 9.9 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 0.58 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,269,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,015 in Child Abuse (Books)
- #1,640 in Divorce (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Shannon Clifton has waived her right to anonymity in this highly acclaimed, dark but deeply inspiring book. Raped by her father from age six and pregnant at eleven and again at thirteen, he kidnapped her and went on the run as the net eventually closed in around him.Shannon's story is not an easy read; she goes into graphic detail about her sexual, physical and mental abuse, which included being burned with an iron, hit with a hammer and even stabbed. Her father told her "it was something all fathers do with their daughters," and for a time she believed him. Shannon wrote this book to start making sense of her childhood and is currently studying towards a degree in Forensic Psychology to help understand what makes people evil."It was a painful journey," she explains, “but it was worth it because I want to help others who have been through similar experiences."
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the young woman's strength and courage. However, opinions differ on the book's readability - some find it easy to understand and quick, while others consider it difficult or too much to read at times.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the author's strength and courage. They describe her as a bright young woman who is a survivor.
"...it, but blown away by how strong Shannon's spirit is and how incredibly courageous she has been. People can be so unbelievably cruel...." Read more
"...She's a very strong young lady and I hope her story helps others to survive their horrific nightmares." Read more
"...She is a survivor and a bright young woman." Read more
"Shannon is such a strong individual! She gives so much hope to this world and young women. Hope everyone reads this" Read more
Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it well-written and a quick read, while others find it difficult to read at times, especially when the author details her childhood horrors.
"Well written. She is an inspiration to all those who are going through or suffered abuse. She is a survivor and a bright young woman." Read more
"This was a quick read...." Read more
"Terrific read but the horrible abuse this girl suffered is unimaginable." Read more
"I couldn't put this book down. I felt nauseous reading it, but blown away by how strong Shannon's spirit is and how incredibly courageous she has..." Read more
Reviews with images
I loved it !
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020I couldn't put this book down. I felt nauseous reading it, but blown away by how strong Shannon's spirit is and how incredibly courageous she has been. People can be so unbelievably cruel. Perhaps the most terrifying thing, however, is how many people turn a blind eye to it. I wish I could give this book the review it deserves, but words fall short. Absolutely everyone should read this.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2022As someone who, too, suffered abuse, though not nearly so severe, I feel a connection with the author. It's a bit like a sisterhood none of us wanted to be members of. Thank you for bearing your heart for it touched my soul.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020Man o man. This book was unlike any other I have read. It was emotional, heart-wrenching and traumatic.. I waited for the book to release and bought it as soon as it was available on Amazon. However, I had to put the book down for a bit because it became too emotionally saddening to me. I admire Shannon for many things. She has been through so much yet she was determined to be heard. I love how realistic she was. She didn’t sugarcoat anything and even if she felt hopeless, she admitted it! Its a real feeling and she normalized it! She even said that she was told to end the book on an inspirational note and that itself was hard for her. I absolutely love it!
I felt for Shannon and respected her so much for her choice to give her son up for adoption and a better future. She knew her limits and she knew that she was going to do WHATEVER she had to in order for her son to be in the safe, loving environment that she never had. I told my sister about this book and sure enough, she will be ordering it.
Man o man. This book was unlike any other I have read. It was emotional, heart-wrenching and traumatic.. I waited for the book to release and bought it as soon as it was available on Amazon. However, I had to put the book down for a bit because it became too emotionally saddening to me. I admire Shannon for many things. She has been through so much yet she was determined to be heard. I love how realistic she was. She didn’t sugarcoat anything and even if she felt hopeless, she admitted it! Its a real feeling and she normalized it! She even said that she was told to end the book on an inspirational note and that itself was hard for her. I absolutely love it!
I felt for Shannon and respected her so much for her choice to give her son up for adoption and a better future. She knew her limits and she knew that she was going to do WHATEVER she had to in order for her son to be in the safe, loving environment that she never had. I told my sister about this book and sure enough, she will be ordering it.
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023Trigger alert: physical, psychological/mental, and sexual abuse of a child.
It’s a brutal read. So many people and authorities that should have been there for her weren’t. She was let down by so many people. I hope Shannon truly realizes that she has absolutely no accountability for what her father and others *chose* to do to her. None of us who’ve been abused do, no matter the severity. While I hope she finds the answers she wants, sometimes we have to deal with not knowing the reason why or receiving a true apology. I figure the reason we can’t wrap our minds around why someone can prey upon the innocent is because we’re not wired like they are…thank goodness!
My reason for four instead of five stars has more to with editing than Shannon’s actual story. The beginning of the book is a bit choppy, but Shannon seems to find her voice as the book progresses. I hope she continues to write because what she has to say is important.
Thank you, Shannon, for wanting to help others by telling your story.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021Shannan’s story was at times hard to read when she told of the horrors of her young life. To feel like no one loved you, cared about you, or didn’t try to help you to get away from the true monster who called himself her father had to have been the worst and hardest thing to live through. He has no right to that title because a father loves, protects and nurturers you from the time you’re born. This man should never see the light of day again. Her mother wasn’t a mother either so she also has no right to that title. This girl is her own hero and is the only person she could truly count on. I hope she writes another book about the second chapter of her life because I’d love to know how she prevails.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2020This is a very sad story. Shannon has been through the worst nightmare imaginable, and I look up to her for standing up and telling her story. She's a very strong young lady and I hope her story helps others to survive their horrific nightmares.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2022Well written. She is an inspiration to all those who are going through or suffered abuse. She is a survivor and a bright young woman.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2020Thank you for sharing your story. It saddens me that noone protected you. This proves how people choose to ignore children being abused and living in hell every day.
I commend you for getting through all those years of terror and hope you can find fulfilment and happiness out there that you greatly deserve.
My heart went out to you reading this book and i was able to connect with you on some of what you went through by a father who was supposed to love and protect.
Their are monsters out there everywhere and sadly some are fathers. God bless.
Top reviews from other countries
- HayleySReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
This book really touched me and on several occasions while reading I found myself in tears. What Shannon went through is horrific and her strength and courage to record it all in a book for others to read shows what an incredible young woman she has grown into. I just want to give her a hug. I would recommend this book to others but be prepared and have tissues ready
- Charlotte King-HarrisReviewed in Canada on January 12, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly brave author
I am a child and youth trauma counsellor and am always interested in reading first person accounts of childhood trauma as it helps me gain insight and understanding into the experiences of my clients. This book could definitely be considered difficult to read by some, and those who have experienced their own trauma would do well to ensure they have adequate support in place before reading this book. That being said, this book is incredibly real, insightful and compelling. The author does an excellent job of bringing the reader into her world while also drawing crucial attention to the grave failings of the child welfare system that left her to suffer for so long. I really appreciate the author's willingness to share her story.
- Clare .HReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars warrior
So inspirational! Tough read , but what a survivor she is ! Wish her all the best in the future
- Beth RudgeReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 6, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
I read this in less than 24 hours... I couldn't put it down, I stayed up until 2am reading and took it everywhere with me! It's written so so well, and although it's an absolutely horrific story, it's written by an incredible person! I truly hope she goes on to write more books, she has such a way with words and seems as though she has since she was younger the way she writes her statement in Court. Very talented and manages to grab the audience and somehow make it seem like you know her personally without ever meeting her. Thank you.
- Lauren xReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars What a girl! ❤️
Reading this book I felt disgusted at that monster and had a heavy heart for Shannon, she's so strong amazing and an inspiration. Well done Shannon keep on writing you have gained my following