Sanctuary by Patricia Dixon

 

Sanctuary by Patricia Dixon- contemporary fiction 

A book about a self proclaimed matriarch who rules her family with a rod of steel.  A family who just want to do their best for all those around them and build their own lives but the shadow of Bertha won’t let them. The siblings who have not known love from their mother all their lives and miss their father who treated them well, and the daughter in law who has her own terrors from an incident a few years ago. This is a hard read in parts and although fiction does bring home the injustices some have to bear in their own real lives. Patricia has more than thoroughly researched this and topics are handled sensitively , and with care, something some don’t have the luxury of sadly. Cathy’s speech half way through took my breath away. Patricia has a rare talent, of seeing things with a very astute and caring mind. As Cathy says, having been through a trauma and then withdrawing herself from the world, sometimes the past belongs where it says and not allowing evil to affect the future. Wise words that really struck home. This is more than a book or a story. It's a real life manual of dealing with whatever issues life throws at you, doing your best, which is all you can do, moving forward. Sometimes all one needs is sanctuary wherever that maybe. Stunning, brilliant, thought provoking. 10*

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