Reviewer: Tracie E. Christian – April 6, 2011
When I first got this book in the mail, I thought it would be a large undertaking for me to read because it is literally a pretty, big book. To my welcomed surprise, this larger than life book was such an easy and educational read that by the end, it morphed into a BIG, PRETTY Book! From the on-set, Karen Lynne Duffie walks the reader step-by-step through the tragedy of her son, Kourtney Everett Duffie’s murder. Although death is never an inviting subject, I have to say personally that I am so glad to have read this novel. It is a gripping tale of a mother’s endless journey through an intentional, life-altering act of violence and viciousness against her child. She then opens up the pages to her very personal inner nightmare called, GRIEF. This book is Raw, Real and Relevant probably even more than the author really knows. Although throughout the book, Duffie is on a journey to put the pieces of her life back together, she probably didn’t know at the time that the journal entries that helped her cope would help ALL OTHERS dealing with grief of any kind.
Personally, this book touched me deeply because it gave me insight that I had never before considered, as to what my own Grandmother must have been going through in the years after losing her son in a car accident at the tender age of 24. He also not having any children, like Karen's son, Kourtney, she too never got the chance to see her son as a Father, nor a Husband. I know now after reading Karen’s book how that fact alone must have been endlessly painful. Karen also teaches readers the five step process of Grief; DENIAL, ANGER, BARGAINING, DEPRESSION and ACCEPTANCE. This process is yet another example of what I learned by reading this book. I was not aware of the Process of Grieving although I had experienced each step after the deaths of both, my Grandmother and two months later, my Father. So while Ms. Duffie seems to have written this book with the intention to help other parents of murdered children, her journal entries have reached and helped grief stricken others on EVERY level, including myself. I found myself crying during the book because I could personally relate on some level. It is my opinion that ART intended to stand the test of time will do just that, evoke emotions the reader never expected to experience in the beginning. This is what makes a book timeless and relevant. With Life Interrupted, no matter what time period one experiences grief, they will be able to relate to this story and the Author’s pain.
This book should also be required reading in schools, juvenile/detention centers and jails because maybe if people knew the true, inner damaging effects of acts of violence on people other than the intended targets, maybe they’ll think twice before committing the acts in the beginning. This story is also gripping because you get to go through it all with Karen; the tragedy, the grief, trial of the murderer and the wake of its ending which I won’t reveal in hopes that you get this book. It’s a great novel that demonstrates hope in the wake of misery. Kudos to Karen Lynne Duffie for having the courage to look grief in the face and WIN…then the strength to do it AGAIN to help others by writing and publishing this book! It is indeed yet another example of the MIRACULOUS things coming out of Detroit, MI and how the Humanity Workout is ever present when one reaches down and lifts up someone else! This book gets FIVE SNAPS in CIRCLE (the RDAR equivalent to FIVE STARS) from Real Detroit Artistry Reviews (RDAR) and is recommended to ALL!
Written By: Tracie E. Christian – Co Founder – The Live Ladies of Literature LLC
Authoress – The Black College Sabbatical trilogy series
Host/Producer – Creative Enticement Radio
Reviewer – Real DETROIT Artistry Reviews
