and Amazon highlight the book's "brutal honesty" and its message of hope for fellow survivors.
described it as a "gut-wrenching, cleareyed coming-of-age memoir" with clean writing that serves the heavy subject matter. Raising Myself: A Memoir of Neglect, Shame, and...
Engel recounts severe hardships, including physical and emotional neglect, being sexually abused at ages four and nine, and being raped at twelve. and Amazon highlight the book's "brutal honesty" and
Later chapters explore her professional success and her eventual ability to view her mother with compassion rather than just fear or anger. Professional Impact including physical and emotional neglect
The book follows her through a "minefield" of childhood characters—including religious fanatics and child molesters—and her struggle to avoid falling into cycles of crime or self-destruction.