Tags
Child Abuse, Memoirs, Sexual Abuse, Straight Inc., Substance Abuse, Tough Love Programs, YA Non-Fiction
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
288 Pages
Synopsis: For readers of Girl Interrupted and Tweak, Cyndy Etler’s gripping memoir gives readers a glimpse into the harrowing reality of her sixteen months in the notorious “tough love” program the ACLU called “a concentration camp for throwaway kids.”
I never was a badass. Or a slut, a junkie, a stoner, like they told me I was. I was just a kid looking for something good, something that felt like love. I was a wannabe in a Levi’s jean jacket. Anybody could see that. Except my mother. And the professionals at Straight.
From the outside, Straight Inc. was a drug rehab. But on the inside it was…well, it was something else.
All Cyndy wanted was to be loved and accepted/ By age fourteen, she had escaped from her violent home, only to be reported as a runaway and sent to a “drug rehabilitation” facility that changed her world.
To the public, Straight Inc. was a place of recovery. But behind closed doors, the program used bizarre and intimidating methods to “treat” its patients. In her raw and fearless memoir, Cyndy Etler recounts her sixteen months in the living nightmare that Straight Inc. considered “healing.”
I’ve decided not to rate this book because honestly, how do you give a rating to such a dark and personal memoir? It’s also not a story that I’d apply the word enjoyable to, but it’s compelling and inspirational, and I think it’s an important one that people should read. Even before Straight Inc. got their hands on her, Cynde Etler’s childhood was not a happy one. Molested by her stepfather, neglected and ignored by her mother, by the time she’s fourteen, Cyndy is experimenting with alcohol and pot, making questionable relationship choices, and constantly running away and sleeping over at friends’ houses. After being placed in a nice foster care home for a brief time, she’s told by her family that she’s being sent to this wonderful boarding school, but instead is delivered into the hands of one of the most bizarre and abusive “tough love” programs that I’ve ever heard of. Cyndy relates what happened in the voice of the young teen she was, which gives the story even more of a raw, emotional narrative. The fact that she was trapped in this nightmare of abuse and brainwashing for over a year, is heartbreaking. I found myself having to take breaks from reading this because there were so many difficult moments. Yet at the same time I just had to keep reading because I wanted to–no needed to, know she persevered. My only criticism is that at the end of the book Cyndy winds up returning to her old high school, but it cuts off rather abruptly and I was left wanting more. However, the sequel, We Can’t Be Friends, is coming out in October so perhaps this is why. In the end while The Dead Inside is a tough read, it’s one I highly recommend for older teens and adults. While Straight Inc. was finally forced to shut its doors in 1993 after being supported by both the Reagan and Bush administrations, and was even visited by Princess Diana, there are still some programs in the troubled teen industry that use similar abusive practices. The only way to to affect permanent and positive change is through education and listening to courageous survivors like Cyndy Etler.
beetleypete said:
There seems to be a trend in YA ficion for dealing with all kinds of abuse. I tend to think that’s a good thing, but I haven’t read the books.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
What makes this so powerful Pete is that it’s not fiction. The events described in the book actually happened to the author.
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beetleypete said:
Good to hear, Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s unfathomable that there are still programs using similar tactics.😡
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Joelendil said:
In my experience as a pastor who does a fair bit of counseling, people who advocate “tough love” (in whatever form they think that takes) usually leave behind them a trail of hurt, disillusioned people. They may occasionally produce the kind of behavior that they want through purely behaviorist training, but that has nothing to do with love, compassion, or genuine heart change.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Well said! Just the term raises my hackles.😒
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Books, Vertigo and Tea said:
Wonderful review! I can certainly understand why such a heavy and emotional read would be hard to rate. You covered this perfectly!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Danielle! I just didn’t feel like I had the right to rate Cynde’s story if that makes sense?
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Books, Vertigo and Tea said:
It made perfect sense for me and I actually appreciated that you chose not to honestly.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Danielle!
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Jay said:
Ooof, tough read.Tough can be okay sometimes though.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It definitely was Jay. But her story is so important especially since abuse is still part of some teen rehab programs even today.
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Felicia Denise said:
Hard to believe the policing of these “facilities and programs” is so lenient or non-existent. I’ve come across a couple over the years as a volunteer with the foster care system. All too often when children try to tell someone or bring attention to what’s being done to them, they’re discounted and/or ignored because they’re considered incorrigible.
Will definitely read this one. Thanks for an insightful review, Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s truly frightening Felicia!
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realthog said:
It defeats me why dehumanizing, child-abusing organizations like this are not only permitted to exist but all too often encouraged by our social and religious leaders.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Sigh. I don’t know. Power…Greed…Fanaticism…
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Carrie said:
As usual I had that moment of I don’t remember this on Netgalley then I see who the publisher is and remember it’s my selective memory for them happening. LOL
I do understand what you mean about rating a memoir though, feels a bit like you are giving a rating to someone’s life. But I suppose there are some that are written better than others though but this sounds like one that while not enjoyable it would be compelling to read.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ha! I have many selective memory moments Carrie! This is really well written.
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Trang (Bookidote) said:
Omg this sounds like a memoir I’d love to read :O Therapy and reinsertion always fascinate me in a way because I was VERY sceptic about the therapies we learn in psychology
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I really can’t recommend this enough Trang!
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ignitedmoth said:
Great review. Added it to my TBR list. It sounds like one that would be hard to put down.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks! It’s definitely one you won’t soon forget.
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vinnieh said:
I think it’s only right literature as well as movies deal with complex and difficult issues. Mainly because things like abuse do happen every day and need to be brought to attention.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Well said Vinnie.
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vinnieh said:
And it can help people going through those things seek help.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Definitely. Especially when it’s written by a survivor like Etler who’s gone on to do great things.
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vinnieh said:
That’s inspiring on it’s own.
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KrystiYAandWine said:
I spent some time searching for your rating before I read that opening paragraph. LOL. I know I’ve told you this before, but I love that you read so widely. It really makes your blog a great resource. I have actually NEVER read a memoir, which is borderline ridiculous. I don’t know if this is the one for me. It sounds a little heavy, but I do want to try one. Any recommendations?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Krysti! I can’t tell you how much that means to me! Memoirs can be tough reads. I think the first one I read was A Child Called It, by Dave Pelzer, which left me emotionally devastated. May I suggest Carrie Fisher’s Wishful Drinking, Shockaholic, and The Princess Diarist? The first two have their dark moments, but they’re balanced by Carrie’s hilarious sense of humor. And The Princess Diarist is her hysterical recollections of life while making the Star War movies.
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KrystiYAandWine said:
Oh, that is a fantastic suggestion. I have mad respect for that woman, so I think that is the perfect place to start. Thank you so much!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
My pleasure! Would you let me know what you think?😊
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KrystiYAandWine said:
Of course! ☺️☺️☺️
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
Wow, this sounds really dark and eye-opening. This tough love program highly intrigues me. Have you heard of such a thing before checking out this memoir? Brilliant honest review, Kim. 100% understand the lack of necessity of giving it a star rating.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Lashaan. Unfortunately, while this was the first time I’d heard of Straight Inc. I have heard of similar programs.
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Kayode Crown said:
A revetting review. But what is eARC?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you! an ARC is an advance readers copy of a forthcoming book. In this case, the “e” means it was in e-book formatting.
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alexraphael said:
Sounds challenging but rewarding.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Definitely. Although the way it ended definitely has me itching for the sequel.😊
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Natasha said:
Sounds like a harrowing story.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I knew a little about various tough love and rehab programs before reading this, but by sharing her story Etler really gives you a personal inside look at one of the worst.
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Diana said:
I didn’t know it was a memoir when reading the book.Just thought it sounded scary.Shocked that it’s based on real events.I can understand why you say its a tough read.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Knowing this actually happened to the author makes it so much more frightening. I definitely want to read the sequel.
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Sophie @ Blame Chocolate said:
This one sounds like a harsh read indeed, but I’m glad you made the choice to read it and tell us how important it is. Great review, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Sophie! Sometimes you just have to read a book and talk about it even if it wasn’t exactly an enjoyable read.
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Sophie @ Blame Chocolate said:
Absolutely! Especially if said book has a powerful and thought-provoking message to be shared and discussed 🙂
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