For anyone who has suffered abuse at the hands of someone they should have been able to trust, this book may speak to you. This book will open your eyes to a world that children don’t deserve to live in, although sadly, some do.
Don’t Tell will raise awareness to what hides in plain sight, because you can’t see it or hear it, and in this case, it was because young Troy had no voice.
The events in this account are powerful, shocking, saddening and rage-inducing, and incites the feeling of utter helplessness, because Troy’s life is now over and done with, and nothing can undo that.
Don’t Tell is the story of a little boy so traumatized and abused, that it sounds almost unbelievable. Is it even possible that a woman, a mother, someone meant to love and nurture, really could have been such a monster? By all accounts, yes.
This book gives a voice to a little boy who had none, until as an adult he turned to a childhood friend and asked that she serve as his voice, his advocate, his cry to be seen and heard.
We see you, Troy. We hear your voice, even though you have now gone silent in death. It will carry on as your legacy with this book. May those who read, hear; those who hear, listen; those who listen, speak out and stand up for any child who has yet to be heard.
Elly Mossman – author, illustrator
“Don’t Tell” is not a literary text nor a narrative essay about abuse; rather, it combines features of a childhood reminiscence, a social expose, and a testimonial to the life of a friend irrevocably marred by trauma, misunderstanding, and rejection, as well, of course, by abuse and addiction.
Although Teri commanded her child not to tell, our society needs to listen to Troy’s story and better protect vulnerable children.
We all failed Troy. Teri may have repeatedly told Troy, “Don’t tell” but we are fortunate that he did in such compelling detail, with both pathos and humour.
Philip V. Allingham, Ph. D., Professor Emeritus, Formerly: Faculty of Education, and Adjunct Professor, Department of English, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Don’t Tell is a deeply moving and courageous firsthand account from Troy, offering an unflinching look at what a childhood of neglect and abuse can do to a person over the course of a lifetime. This is not an easy read, but it is an important one.
The book does an excellent job of illustrating how early trauma doesn’t simply fade with time, it shapes identity, relationships, and the way a person moves through the world long after childhood has ended.
This story does not follow the traditional path of a neatly wrapped, happy ending that many readers might hope for. Instead, it offers something more honest and, in its own way, meaningful. What remains is a sense that Troy found his peace, along with a family and circle of friends who continue to share their memories of him and find solace in those reflections. That authenticity is what makes this book so impactful.
The writing is heartfelt and well done, and I truly appreciated the insight into a life and experience that deserves to be shared. Don’t Tell is a sobering reminder of the long-term effects of childhood trauma, but also a testament to the importance of telling these stories even when they are painful. I would recommend this book to readers who value honesty, depth, and real-life perspectives that stay with you long after the final page.
Samantha Miller, ARC Reviewer
Don't Tell was a very emotional book that touched my heart deeply. It is definitely an eye opener for the abuse that no child should EVER withstand.
Troy did not deserve what he had to endure through his young age. I wish he was able to speak up and tell someone who would have been able to help him.
Tracy Turnage, ARC Reviewer
I do not often read non-fiction. If I think about why, I prefer to be entertained by something made up with some sense of believability, rather than having to visualise the reality of some people’s true lives. And whilst Don’t Tell broke with that preference, I am so very glad I did because whilst this was not an easy read, wow was it a wakeup call to appreciate the tragedy of some people’s lives.
At the heart of Don’t Tell is an abused child who has grown into a very troubled man. What particularly caught my attention was the way the author not only revealed the trauma of the young and older central character, Troy, through his own eyes, but also the impact and influence of those others in his life, both good and bad.
It is difficult to summarise my feelings for Don’t Tell but the author’s command of the written word to describe a truly brutal life was both compelling and riveting. I can honestly say, I am glad I did invest my precious reading time absorbed in it. It is a book that has stayed with me since reading the final page.
Highly recommend
PJ’s Reviews