A Compelling Novel for the
Avid Reader
Journey
Through The Violent World Of A Young Woman
As She Reaches
Adulthood
An
eighteen-year-old girl finally escapes her parents' violent
home to embark on her freshman year of college. Rather than freedom
from violence, she finds herself the victim of
acquaintance-rape.
A Journey Through The Penumbra: Out Of Rape's Shadow is the compelling new novel released by the distinctly fresh voice of Cassandra Juarez. She is a clinical professional counselor who has treated many sexual assault victims and is deeply involved with many women who are struggling to overcome the very issues dealt with in this novel. Along with her depth of knowledge about sexual assault and its victims, she also lives in a college town, and is the daughter of a college professor. These aspects of her life gave her the opportunity to research her character: Maria Marchiano, and present a realistic setting for this all-too-common tale.
Praise From Readers And Critics:
Cassandra Juarez, a
licensed professional counselor who treats trauma victims, assembles a
series of possibly too-familiar iconic working class Catholic incidents
into a surprisingly effective fictional study of sexual repression,
rape, family violence and their consequences. She's an excellent
observer who depicts her gritty midwestern terrain with great force.
She tells her story with relentless drive that captured me against my
will.
---Jules Siegel (The New York Times, Esquire, Village Voice),
www.newsroom-1.net/blog
<>"Cassandra
Juarez weaves a tale of dysfunctional Marchiano family life: Rose, the
mother who was abused as a child, bullies her children. Her abuse is
cloaked with blind faith in “churchanity,” empty rituals and
stereotypical piety. Anthony, an apathetic husband and father, uses
denial and alcoholism to cope with Rose and his own cowardice.
Victims include three daughters: Carmela, Sylvia and Maria—the main
character who was named after Maria Goretti, patron saint of virginity.
[Maria Goretti was an 11 year old Italian girl who was fatally stabbed
after she refused to be raped. For this act she was sainted in 1950.]
When Maria Marchiano’s fortitude falls short of Goretti’s she suffers
irreparable melodramas that make for an engaging read.
<>
<>--Regina Harris Baiocchi, Author of “Indigo Sound” and “Urban Haiku”
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<>--Regina Harris Baiocchi, Author of “Indigo Sound” and “Urban Haiku”
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<><>"Cassandra
Juarez has
produced a striking first novel, doubtless drawing upon her
experience as a licensed professional counselor. The novel concerns
a college freshman, her loyal friend, an abusive mother, and the
ugly and far-reaching consequences of rape played out against
the dreary background of a Midwestern winter. The story is told
vividly, almost clinically, and held me in its grip until I
finished at 2 a.m."
<>—Earl A. Reitan, Professor Emeritus of History, Illinois State University
<>—Earl A. Reitan, Professor Emeritus of History, Illinois State University
A
Journey Through the
Penumbra: Out Of Rape's Shadow is listed in Jim Agnew's Book Picks Of
the Week, www.jagnew.com , for
April 18, 2005
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