The harrowing experiences of physical and mental abuse are detailed in an honest, first-hand account by local author Paula Fernandes.
Paula is a new author and her autobiography, The Mirror Breaks, is the first book in a trilogy published by Porcupine Press.
The 57-year-old Wychwood housewife, who is currently recovering from breast cancer, tells a gripping tale of a young South African woman who is abused throughout her childhood and then through two marriages.
“It is based on the physical and mental abuse I endured as a child, which then increased when I became an adult,” she said.
“The first book is a chilling portrait of the brutality endured during my first marriage, and a family’s denial of any wrongdoing until I found the courage to say ‘enough is enough’ and extricated myself from the situation.”
Paula told the GCN that writing the book was a way to help to heal the pain and heartache she still feels after all these years.
“Everyone says ‘your heart heals, but you never forget’, but this was not the case for me,” she said.
“My heart has never healed and I still get angry with myself for being so naïve and for never having the courage to stand up for myself.”
The book is dedicated to her two daughters, Alisha Kirk (36) and Solange Greenberg (30).
“It is, however, written for all women and children, not only in South Africa, but worldwide, who are suffering abuse daily and it will, hopefully, inspire them to seek help and get out of abusive relationships,” she said.
The foreword is written by a psychologist, on the subject of abuse, and it names organisations which can assist people in abusive relationships.
Paula added that the second book in the trilogy is currently being published and the third book is in the revision process.
“There is also a fourth book, in the script stage, and this will be aimed at younger children,” Paula said.
She started writing The Mirror Breaks three years ago and was working with an overseas publisher, but said that the end product was not up to standard, so it was re-edited and published by Porcupine Press.
When she is not writing, Paula, who is a grandmother to seven beautiful grandchildren, loves to spend time with her husband, Mike Fourie (62).
As she is recovering from breast cancer, this has limited her gardening time and her time outdoors, which she so loves.
She has a renewed appreciation for life and for those less fortunate.
The Mirror Breaks is currently being distributed to book shops, or is available through the publisher, as well as Paula.
Paula can be emailed at paulaf@hotmail.co.za
