Oh, Sister by Jodie Chapman

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My daughter gave me this book for Mother's Day and I probably would have never picked it up because of its cover. But she has a flair for good stories. And she knows me well!<br />Written by an ex-member of the Jehovah's Witness Church, this book is well-balanced, and well-written and switches between the stories of three women, Isobel, Jen, and Zelda whose choices in life have been regulated by the Church, by men (husbands and fathers) until they finally broke the shackles. The story is spellbinding and based on their three respective journeys. The author used her own experiences and memories while an active member, which makes the reading so realistic. It adds layers to the books and the characters. it is not a story about being against the Church or being a victim, a believer, or being obedient or rebellious. Life is complicated and the author managed to talk about hard themes such as sexual abuse, emotional abuse, misogyny, and power relationships with great objectivity and care. It is more of a journey about compassion, self-esteem, and empowerment. Jumping from one story to the next, back and fro, takes a little bit of getting used to. But it also keeps the reader interested and connected. You will feel angry, frustrated, happy, sad, confused, and hopeful throughout the book as you accompany the characters on their journey to self-discovery.