Matt McAvoy Book Review

Before you start this book, there are a few things you need to be very clear about.  Firstly, it is an exercise book, so you will find pages which are created to take notes and keep records, etc.  This is not a coffee-table/bedside read.  If you invest the time and motivation required to carry out this cathartic self-healing process, you will need to approach it as a course.  So don’t expect that you will sit there and read from cover to cover, because it isn’t that type of self-help book.  Get yourself a pad and pencil, make some free time for yourself, then join Rebecca on this journey.  The second thing you should know is that she is a tremendous author, unquestionably qualified to be presenting her method.  As a survivor of horrific sexual abuse and trauma, and then as a student of profound psychological and therapeutic healing methods, she also knows what she is talking about, and is qualified in that respect, too.  The fact that she is also incredibly articulate and intelligent a writer makes her even more credible a guide.  But she is humble and realistic, too.  Whilst much of this book encourages you to participate in its exercise, equally as much is her sharing her own experiences under the heading of “Advice” – and, of course, isn’t that the best type?  Rebecca makes no claims to be an expert, and she cannot guarantee the results of joining her, for this whole exercise is a learning process for both writer and reader; you do feel that writing it is as much about ordering the process in her own mind and sharing it with fellow trauma survivors.  It is a dynamic, organic system, and author and reader alike are genuinely plotting its progress together; she makes no bones about this.

Probably unlike you, I did read the book from cover to cover, of course being sent an ARC by the author for this purpose.  Whilst I comment primarily on the quality of the book (which is superb, I should say), I confess that I haven’t participated in the method myself to vouch for its validity.  That said, I fully intend to very quickly; from what I read, it presented to me as a process I would absolutely like to take part in in earnest, for personal reasons beyond the capacity of reviewing the book, and will do so shortly.  I have, however, had the privilege of reading Rebecca’s harrowing yet inspiring memoir, and for that reason I have no doubt that what she shares in this book is worth knowing.  I would therefore have no hesitation, even having not yet practised the method, in recommending this book for any and every reader who wishes to take steps toward addressing their trauma.  I wish it was a little bit longer, but Rebecca knows better than I the margins and limitations of the course’s therapeutic value.  I truly believe that this book will help you.  If you start reading, and decide not to participate, that’s fine too.  But I think most will.