THE BREAKABLE VOW
Kathryn Ann Clarke
Avon Books
Fiction
ISBN: 0060518219
480 pages

• Read an Excerpt

Domestic violence is an issue that, in recent years, has become increasingly discussed and examined by various media forms. Kathryn Ann Clarke's contemporary novel THE BREAKABLE VOW realistically and chillingly looks at domestic violence.

Kevin is a high school student who comes from an affluent family. He is a star athlete and is very popular --- but he is also a monster. He and his girlfriend Annie were a nice couple, but his insane jealousy of her begins to turn violent. Despite the physical and verbal abuse he inflicts on her, Annie does not want to leave Kevin.

Readers get a first glimpse of Kevin's dark side when Annie goes on a camping trip with one of her girlfriends, and Harold, a nearby teenaged camper, befriends the girls. Kevin follows them to the campsite, convinced that Annie has cheated on him with Harold. He starts screaming at the boy, and Annie tries to placate Kevin before a fistfight ensues. When the camping trip is over, Kevin physically abuses Annie on the car ride home and calls her nasty names for her supposed tryst with Harold.

Annie soon finds out that she is pregnant. She's ashamed to tell her family of Kevin's violent actions, but informs her sisters (sort of) about how he is. Eventually, Kevin promises never to hurt her again, and he and Annie reconcile and wed. Kevin is awarded a football scholarship to a college in Texas, so he, Annie and the baby leave their families for the Lone Star state. Unfortunately, Kevin breaks his vow --- he takes away her mailbox key, withholds letters from her that her family has written and doesn't allow her to get a job.

The worst part is the physical abuse, for which Annie blames herself. Kevin beats her so severely that she must be hospitalized, and the police become involved. She begins a legal battle to retain custody of her daughter and divorce Kevin, who threatens to kill the baby, Annie and himself before he lets any separation happen.

This is one of the most powerful novels I have read in a long time. Readers will find themselves rooting desperately for Annie to get away from this psycho. THE BREAKABLE VOW is a must-read for any woman, young or old, who has been in an abusive relationship.

   --- Reviewed by Melissa A. Martin

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