Self focuses autobiography on his abuse
By David Cauthen
Special to THE DAILY
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/books/051030/book2.shtml

The author engages in a play on words in the title of this very interesting book, an autobiography that graphically chronicles his life of physical and psychological abuse by his parents, siblings, friends and himself.
A gauge of the extent of mistreatment by Self's father and his feelings toward his father appears in the first sentence of the book, which says: "From the age of three I had only one ambition: not to be like my father. I hated everything about him."
Following this sad statement is Self's vivid description of the personalities and cruel actions of his mother, father, brothers and acquaintances from the time of his earliest recollections to the date the book was published.
These persons present the reader with classical case studies in lay language of dysfunctional, compulsive and amoral individuals, most of them comprising the family he confronted on a daily basis during most of his life.
Naturally, his family took on the abnormal personality and character traits of its individual members.
From physical abuse by his mother, being ignored by each parent, his father's total detachment from him, being shown he was not loved, being told he'd never amount to anything, to his parents' multiple adulterous affairs, their and his tumultuous divorces, the homosexuality and valuing wealth above all else, to alcohol, drug addiction and illicit sexual alliances,
Self constructs a sad portrait that personifies the meaning of the word "abuse" and the myriad ways in which it is applied.
Haunting question
Self perceptively addresses the haunting question of whether his three children of two marriages and co-habitations with several women will be able to break the chain of dysfunction and abuse to which he was subjected and practiced.
He knows he has passed them to his children.
This book could be a valuable tool for parents experiencing behavioral problems between themselves or among them and their children, for couples contemplating divorce or separation, and for family counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists and others who come into contact with abusive, abused or dysfunctional adults or children.
"Self Abuse" is not a light read, and it shocks; however, its content is easy to understand, and it tells a story that needs telling. It may be of help to some who read it.

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