Mark Johnson II

David –

I finished the whole book, and I do read a lot. I’m a discerning reader. It’s a very good story and that’s a good endorsement. If it weren’t a good book I wouldn’t have read or finished it. I found some parts of it very disturbing. Especially about his childhood, the abuse and being hit by his father.

It rang a bell with me because it was something I’d experienced in my own childhood. It gave me a personal connection with the book.

I’ve also got some experience of the other bits in the book, the drugs and the alcohol abuse. Not that I was ever into these things myself but I know people who were. If anything I related more to how it would be to be on the receiving end of a person like Mark – his parents, siblings, friends etc. I could see it from their point of view – having seen other people in a similar situation. I heard of people whose partners use a lot of drugs.

I thought the descriptions of drug use in the book were very accurate. I’ve seen that in other people. It was obviously upsetting and rough on them – especially if they were on the receiving end of aggression, whether deliberate or accidental, from the abuser. Sometimes when people are withdrawing, they can lash out without really knowing they are doing so – for example they may thrash about and kick out in their sleep. I’ve known people who’ve had a few bruises from that.

But I know, as in Mark’s book, low as things might get, it’s never completely hopeless, there is hope at the end of the tunnel.

I wish there were more books on the market that showed people in his situation. They help other people understand what’s going on. Some people may judge others without even knowing what really up. The ordinary man or woman in the street often judges people like Mark harshly – so maybe his book will help. It would open their eyes to what actually happens in the world. Mark did a very good job. I am looking forward to meeting the author. It’s not so much that I have any questions of him but I would praise him for what he’s done – putting his life down in a book – it’s a very brave of him to do it.




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