Why does my life have to be so painful?
What’s wrong with me?
It’s not going to get better.
It could all be over soon, and then I won’t hurt anymore.
Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.
One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.
But Kristen's story doesn’t end there.
In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living. Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured. Includes notes of encouragement Kristen wishes she had received when she was struggling most.
The book opens with the tragic incident pulling the reader in with a gaping mouth of unimaginable terror and empathy. As the author flashes back to the climactic reasoning behind her fateful decision, the reader is introduced to some of the pain Anderson endures as she wrestles with her personal demons. Picking up on the other side of the tragedy, Kristen enlightens the reader on her painful recovery of hospitalization and rehabilitation of her body and soul up to the present day.
The pace of the storytelling ironically resembles that of a fast approaching train, keeping the audience gripping this tale of nonfictional suspense. The first time I heard of this harrowing, yet divine account was last year after familiarizing myself with Tricia Goyer who co-wrote Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington with Ocieanna Fleiss. Completely intrigued and remaining on the list of impending reads, I jumped at the chance to review this piece when it became available. Taking only a few hours in two nights to fly through the intoxicating pages, Life, In Spite of Me is a spiritually stirring read worthy of passing on to others, especially anyone carrying a heavy, tear-soaked soul. Whatever you may be going through, reflect on Kristen's story...it is sure to make you think twice.
Kristen Jane Anderson has been featured on Oprah and is a popular speaker at colleges, women's and youth events, churches, and suicide prevention outreaches. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the founder of Reaching You Ministries, Kristen seeks to help those who are hurting, hopeless, lost, suicidal and depressed.
You can also find Kristen on
or visit with the author at her blog.
Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Beside Still Waters, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.
Visit Tricia Goyer at
as well as on
Preview & purchase Life, In Spite of Me
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
