@2022 copyright The pertinent quote by Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr—the epigraph of Part One—may best encapsulate the theme: “Peace
is not just the absence of tension it is the presence of justice...” The theme
sets the stage for the autobiography: Esther Kisaghu, a woman born and raised in an impoverished village in Kenya,
later finds success in education through sheer determination.
 
Her life tragically changed when her husband, who had sworn to protect her,
turned into her tormentor and abused her for years. She eventually found refuge
in the United States where she had returned to study at Boston University. In
this riveting autobiography, set in both the United
States and Kenya, the author engages the
reader in an eloquent and massively detailed testimony, clearly written by
an experienced craftsperson. In addition, she presents facts and statistics about gender-related violence in Kenya.
 
Autobiography notwithstanding,
the narrative is constructed for maximum impact. Esther presents an entire
ordinary world before her marriage, allowing readers to experience the roller
coaster of joy and doubt and happiness and uncertainty and, eventually,
catastrophe, fear and heartbreak. Creating such an emotionally involved reader
is the single most important action a narrative must take, and the single most
difficult job of a writer. She does this well. This stirring book builds
through personal experience to a ringing call to action, one that the
church—and Kenya, and indeed, every nation—ignores to its everlasting sorrow.
-Xulon Press Editorial
 
Just like the biblical Esther, she believes that God has chosen her to be
the advocate for her people, abused women and children, to bring safety and
freedom for all.
 
It takes courage to be compassionate, and I had
made the choice to give even to those who showed me no compassion. I had
reached out and given another fellow human being a chance to begin searching
for a violence-free life.
-Author Esther Kisaghu