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Book: State of Denial, House of Horrors (A Memoir) by Janice Genovese

categories: Book, Memoir, Siblings, Triumph over Adversity, Alcoholism, Children of Alcoholics, Violent Parents, Midwestern Mentality, Bedwetting, Parental Abuse, Aftermath of Trauma, Sexual Abuse, Childhood Trauma

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Janice Genovese

about this book: I decided to write a memoir of my bleak childhood in Ohio (not necessarily in linear fashion) with violent, alcoholic parents. They ran a very chaotic, unpredictable household. I think my best, target audience would be people over sixty (as I am) who are reflecting on their choices in life and realizing many of them (good and bad) can be traced to upbringing. Harsh memories of my childhood had been swirling in my head for years and years and I decided to finally put all of them in one place and called it "State of Denial, House of Horrors."

The state of denial is Ohio where people put up so many walls and are deadly silent about private family matters--that old Midwestern mentality--and the devastation this causes. I had to dredge up very painful, terrifying memories so of course this was a harrowing task, but I think my book is a stunner and actually helpful to those who suffered a similar path to adulthood. I think my book proves that anyone can triumph in the face of domestic adversity.