Saturday, October 23, 2021

Book Review: Who Could Have Imagined . . . Change Your Perspective, Transform Your Destiny by Aliette St. Hilaire

 

Book Review

It’s Not How You Start…

It’s How You Finish

Before moving to the States, Aliette enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the Bahamas. But life changed abruptly when she became pregnant at twelve and married at thirteen. Written off as a teenage mom and high school dropout, Aliette made a discovery that would change her life again: faith.

With God—along with the power of prayer—Aliette surmounted obstacles that would have imprisoned her in poverty and ignorance. She worked hard for an education, ultimately building a successful career in medicine. She worked hard on her marriage, today celebrating over thirty years together while raising three terrific sons. And she continues to work hard, every day, for the betterment of the world around her.

For Aliette, a change in perspective transformed her destiny through faith in God and oneself.


My Review

Let me start by saying that I'm not religious at all so while I don't agree with everything she said, it's her memoir and her thoughts and it was written really well so I enjoyed reading this quite a lot. I was unprepared for the beauty in this book as well as the heartache she went through because of the loss of her innocence and childhood. It's a sad story, but also offers a look at the joys that come with parenthood and fighting for a better life. While this isn't my usual type of read, I found myself unable to put this book down as I was reading because her life was just so heartbreaking.

This book made me feel so many things, including not really understanding why she stayed with her husband after he got her pregnant at such a young age and how she explained how he acted on several occasions. But also understanding that she was young and even though he was twice her age, he was also very immature and they seemed to grow a lot as they got older.

This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. It's written eloquently in a simple and direct way that ends up pulling you right into the story. It's a very plainly spoken account of her life as a child getting pregnant, and then married to a man who I'm not sure I would have had the strength to stay with. Her life was a difficult one but she managed to get through it and find the will not only to come out the other side intact but find a faith that helped her better herself and become a nurse. This author has a talent for describing the things that happened in a very relatable way, so that you can really connect with them. There's a lot of pain in this book, but there's also love, hope, faith and the fight to be better.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration for a change inside themselves.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

24 comments:

  1. Thank you. Like you I am not religious (I am not even a believer) but it obviously worked for her - which is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neither am I but it if it worked for her than I'm all for it.

      Delete
  2. This sounds like an incredibly inspiring story. I can think of several people who would love this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That does sound like a good one!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Like your review of the inspiring book.

    ReplyDelete
  5. fabulous review and it does sound like a great read. i think every book i read, no matter how good or bad, relevant to my personal life or not, there is something to be gained. thanks again for the great review
    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like that train of thought. Thank you.

      Delete
  6. Dear Mary! This is really a great review. I really would like to read it (bye the way, i dont really need to be a religious one). I think thinking positive and living positive make one happy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, married at thirteen and with her first child to a much older guy like that would be a hard hill to climb. I do love reading someone's inspiring story like this now and then.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow. Sounds like a very interesting story. I like stepping out of my normal reads for something like this every now and then. Wonderful review.

    Melanie @ Books of My Heart

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm glad to hear you liked this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She had quite the sad story but made the best out of her situation.

      Delete
  10. Married at such a young age wow! That could not have been easy She's a fighter. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know. It sounded like it was a nightmare.

      Delete
  11. I can't imagine being married and pregnant at 13. Isn't that considered child molestation? Well, I guess it depends on the year you were born. Probably ok 100 or more years ago. It's sounds like she was a resilient woman and focused on positives. Outlook can mean everything! Fab review, Mary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My brother got married with my mom's signature and approval when he was 16. So I think it depends on the state.

      Delete
  12. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one. I was hesitant to read it because of the religious overtones, but it sounds like it didn't interfere with her story too much. If I can find it on one of my library's websites to borrow, I'll give it a try. 📚

    ReplyDelete

This is an Award-Free blog. It is a lovely gesture, but I am unable to comply with the terms of the awards so I have made this an Award-Free blog. Thank You for understanding.