My initial inclination when I first heard of this book was not to dignify its existence with a response. However, I’ve been asked for my reaction several times, so here it is. Someone needs to speak in defense of the victims’ loved ones.
You’ll notice I am deliberately not naming the book or its author because I choose not to give this work any more notoriety or recognition than I already have here.
I believe deeply in the power of story; to heal, to enlighten, to empower, and to shed light in dark corners where we need to go. My own book strives to do these things and I truly hope those family members who have read it found it helpful and not hurtful. Many have told me they have. If I’d thought it would hurt them I never would have written it.
I haven’t read any of this book, nor do I ever intend to in the interest of my own mental health. I do know that in the fewer than 24 hours I have been aware of it, family members of this man’s victims have reached out to me and in the media expressing deep pain and hurt. These scabs have been torn off yet again on wounds that have never been given time to even begin healing.
These are anguished people who have been through absolute hell for so many years. Many of them suffer physical and mental illnesses as a direct result of losing their loved ones and bearing witness to this unspeakable tragedy. The circumstances around this book are so disgusting and unseemly, I can only imagine how they must be feeling. It is cruel and hurtful that it exists.
Yes, there ought to be a law. There may even be one, but I don’t know what it would be or how it would apply or be enforced. In the interests of common decency, I hope people simply ignore this work and decline to give this man a soapbox.
As always, I wish the victims’ loved ones peace.