I first met Veronica in 1975 while working at a large, southern, medical center on the inpatient psychiatry unit. Veronica was admitted to our service exhibiting severe headaches, depression, and a dependency on prescribed opioid medications. At the time of her admission, it was astonishing that she was functioning at such a high level socially as well as professionally given the frequency and high dosage of medications she was consuming.  

For two months I worked daily with Veronica on an individual basis, under the supervision of the attending psychiatrist. She experienced multiple personal sufferings during her initial treatment period. We have continued to work together on an outpatient basis and then on an ad hoc basis for the last 40+ years.

Veronica learned to adjust and accept unamendable and often times trying demands on her life without compromise to her own values. She made difficult life decisions that often times seemed to threaten the very same values she held so close.

This is a book about a woman who experienced childhood trauma, domestic violence and abuse, substance dependence and depression. She lost her home, family, children, and herself for a period of time. More importantly, it is a book about a woman of tremendous strength, courage, determination, love, and resilience. It is a story of hope for other women who find themselves in a situation that feels hopeless. This woman has not only survived but she has thrived since she found her true self and took control of her life.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with Veronica, review a draft of her book, and to discuss our shared experiences. I found the memories and facts set forth in the draft consistent with my own recollection of the events.

I recommend this book not only for its literary merits, but also as an example of how life struggles are often times not unidimensional or short term. This book provides an opportunity to see  how one person gained success by making a lifelong commitment to understanding herself, giving herself and others grace and compassion, and owning her own ability and power to engage in a different more meaningful and happy existence.

I am deeply grateful for all the knowledge, and wisdom that Veronica has afforded me by allowing me to accompany her on her life’s journey. She has enabled me to help countless other women in their journeys as well.

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2020

A true life account of real love and real loss. Everyone should be able to take something away from reading this book. Long after finishing the book I'm still thinking about it.

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2020

Once I started reading A Bridge to the Mainland, I couldn’t put it down. Ms. Knight’s writing style made me feel like I was right beside her throughout her challenges and triumphs. I was saddened when her parents wouldn’t/couldn’t give her the love, attention and praise she desperately needed. I cringed when she decided to marry the wrong man for all the wrong reasons. The details Ms. Knight shares about her years of fear and abuse give the reader a unique window into the heart wrenching decision of leaving a husband and possibly losing her children. It was easy to understand why she fell victim to the use of drugs to numb her pain.

Perhaps the most engaging part of the book is Ms. Knight’s several weeks hospital stay. She does not hesitate to describe her most intimate feelings about the doctors and therapists who helped her. I found the scenes in her group therapy sessions to be so realistic that I cheered the moments when she screamed and cried, which led to a much needed understanding of the reasons she needed to change her life. There will be few readers who don’t see themselves in Ms. Knights revelations, even if it is only a glimpse.

Ms. Knight said she wrote the book over 40 years ago and only recently decided to dust it off for publication. In addition to being a fascinating read, it will undoubtedly encourage readers who are in the same situation as Ms. Knight to take the steps to get the help they need.

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020

This book is about hope. It’s about never giving up and stresses the importance of being honest with yourself. The author writes as if she is you or me; she could be your neighbor or a family member.

Reading this book flashed me back to my childhood, to forgotten coping mechanisms in challenging times. It reminded me that my own choices had consequences, some better than others. It reaffirmed that no form of suppression is tolerable in life’s lessons. Positive self-esteem is a right, and as the author shows, our unique gift.

Despite some editorial errors, the content is strong and appropriate for 2020. In a time of many challenges, we need novels that show how interrupt cycles of limitation and abuse. This novel shows that as we learn, we grow. “A Bridge to the Mainland” offers a walk - to be the best you.

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2021

Awe-inspiring book regarding the perseverance and strength that it takes to deal with mental, physical, and emotional abuse. It is raw, honest, and incredibly personal and quite frankly; remarkable. I soundly applaud the author for the strength it takes to come out triumphant in spite of the cards life gives you, for understanding that we are the authors of our own stories, and reaching for that greener grass across the mountains. I am glad you found your mainland.

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2020

This is a true story of self discovery and a lifelong journey through many obstacles. Going through life isn’t always easy but with help there can be happiness as seen here. It’s a story of becoming your true self, finding happiness and true unconditional love! I think everyone will be able to find something they can relate to in this story. Life has many different facets and can become a true gem! I have read this book several times and feel hopeful!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 3, 2021

The author here is nothing short of REAL. Her path of destruction at a very young and impressionable age is heartwrenching. It's hard to believe what she went through at such a young age. "Veronica" gives such detail that I actually felt like I was right there with her. The passages about her time in the hospital under the supervision of doctors and going to group therapy was intimately shared with the reader. Forget about what you see on tv.....this is real...raw....gut wrenching depictions of group therapy. I am so happy that the author was able to persevere and successfully battle her demons and find happiness within herself. This story will resonate with you for a long time after reading.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 3, 2021

Once I started reading this book, I also could not put it down. My heart went out to “Veronica”. Her home life, while she was growing up, was so dysfunctional. It made a major impact on all that happened to her during the rest of her life. My heart went out to her. I wanted so much to take her out of the very dysfunctional home she was living in, from life with her parents to her married life. She tried so hard to find love and kindness in her life. Veronica is so honest about what is going on in her life and yet, so loveable and so good. I would recommend this book to other readers. I have been thinking about this book all day and have shed tears for all Veronica endured and certainly did not deserve.

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021

The author shares such intimate details and deeply touches the soul. I believe readers will find something that rings true to themselves. I finished the book several days ago and cannot get it out of my mind. Veronica has touched my heart. Thank you.

 

Hi:  well girlfriend, this is my second review.  Even better.

 

 

 

 

A Bridge to the Mainland

by Veronica Knight

Xlibris

 

book review by Mihir Shah

 

"Don’t be fooled by me. Don’t be fooled by the face I wear. For I wear a mask: I wear a thousand masks, and none of them are me."

Knight's work is heart-wrenching and therapeutic, painful and full of hope, a fusion of self-help and memoir. The author's strength is her vulnerability, an ability to remove any masks and be raw and authentic. In presenting her story, she paves a path for the countless women experiencing physical and emotional abuse, and who see no way out of their predicament.

 

From the opening paragraph, Knight reels in the reader with an observation from the airplane window showing the world below arranged to perfection, straight and narrow. She then immediately drives home her point by emphasizing that real life is anything but linear and expected. A childhood memory best sums up her tumultuous past. She describes her father telling her that "This doll is for good girls." He then states that she has not been good. Whether it is the constant unsettling feeling of being an accident, the byproduct of a mother and father who were fifteen and sixteen respectively when she was born, or being so afraid to make anyone mad that she willingly remains in a relationship that makes her miserable, Knight demonstrates a firsthand account of what it feels like to be buried by and in one's past.

 

Perhaps the most poignant scenes of the narrative occur when the author peels back the veil of group and individual therapy. Her experiences with Dr. Arielle Kogan help her shed the facade of everything being right and redirect her on the path to taking ownership of her own life. More importantly, what makes this book resonate with readers is her depiction of how impactful Dr. Kogan is on the author's life and well-being. Knight's tale is a ray of hope for those individuals who believe "getting help" is a taboo topic.

 

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This review was written by a professional book reviewer with no guarantee that it would receive a positive rating. Some authors pay a small fee to have a book reviewed, while others do not. All reviews are approximately half summary and half criticism. The US Review of Books is dedicated to providing fair and honest coverage to all books.

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