The Dead Inside by Cyndy Etler
Review by Lauren
source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: I never was a badass. Or a slut, a junkie, a stoner, like they told me I was. I was just a kid looking for something good, something that felt like love. I was a wannabe in a Levi’s jean jacket. Anybody could see that. Except my mother. And the professionals at Straight.
From the outside, Straight Inc. was a drug rehab. But on the inside it was…well, it was something else.
All Cyndy wanted was to be loved and accepted. By age fourteen, she had escaped from her violent home, only to be reported as a runaway and sent to a “drug rehabilitation” facility that changed her world.
To the public, Straight Inc. was a place of recovery. But behind closed doors, the program used bizarre and intimidating methods to “treat” its patients. In her raw and fearless memoir, Cyndy Etler recounts her sixteen months in the living nightmare that Straight Inc. considered “healing.”
Review: This is a true story and because of that, it makes it even more horrifying. I wasn’t shocked by Straight Inc and how they aren’t really a drug rehab for teens – unless you think a drug rehab is needed for kids that haven’t even done drugs, or barely touched them. While I wasn’t surprised that a place like this existed – and even still exists in other capacities and under other names – that doesn’t mean it’s not scary to think about. What Cyndy and others endured is horrible; the fact that so many of them had to lie and start to believe what they were told just to get by. In a note at the end of the book, Cyndy calls it Stockholm Syndrome and that’s definitely what it seemed like.
While this is an intriguing and eye-opening memoir, I can’t say it was my favorite book to read. The writing style was a bit off-putting at first. It took me awhile to get into the book, and to be honest, I probably would have stopped reading if it wasn’t a review book. However, I pushed through and it did get better. I found myself more invested in the story and what I would learn. Despite this, I still feel like the book was a bit too much “tell” and not enough “show.” Part of that is probably because it’s a memoir, but it does take you out of the overall story a bit.
All in all, I’d give it about 3 stars!
The publisher is sponsoring a fun giveaway if you’re interested in entering!
I haven't read any memoirs yet but I'm curious. One day I'm gonnna give one a try. If you know any great memoirs, please recommend me some. Anyway, awesome review. Thanks for sharing, Lauren. Have a great week. ��
Sometimes it's terrible to see what can really happen…
It must be a horrible story, specially because it's real.
Thanks for your review.
I hadn't heard of this one until now. It sounds like it's super creepy. Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy it as much as you had hoped. I enjoy books that are inspired by a true story, but I don't like the tell instead of show that you said about this one. I'm not a fan of that either. Great honest review!
I have read a few memoirs. I thought that your review was great!
Really curious now to see what this book is about. Oddly enough, I'm not at all scared to find out and knowing that this was a memoir makes it even more that interesting.
great review!
This does sound like an interesting read, I am actually drawn to memoirs, even ones that might be tough subject matter. I might check this out!
Beth
http://www.thebethnextdoor.com
I actually remember Straight Inc from the 70's/80's. At the time it was thought to be this great thing so it's sad to hear about all the abuse the kids went through.
For What It's Worth
This definitely sounds like a memoir that would be right up my alley, (for subject matter alone) though I'm sorry to hear the writing style left some to be desired. I kind of felt that way when I read the memoir about Scientology written by the father of the current leader–it was very interesting but a bit too… I dunno, unemotional? Anyway, thanks for sharing–I don't know anything about this story, or this rehab facility, and I'm def interested in hearing more.
XOXO
I've seen this book floating around but I had no idea it was based on a true story…wow. That's incredibly scary and upsetting. The brainwashing that occurs at the camp sounds disturbingly close to the sorts of things that people are told in conversion therapy, so I bet this is an emotional and impactful read.
This sounds Iike a scary read. I am sure it is also informative and eye opening. I will have to consider it. I am not a fan of conversion therapy at all.
That sounds REALLY GOOD! Hope I win!
It's a shame the writing left a little to be desired because the story itself sounds riveting. Great review though!
This sounds intriguing.
xx
Sounds like an interesting memoir!
Sounds both terrifying and heartbreaking!
Good luck to all! Thanks for the book review!
Wow, I am scared. That place sounds terrible. Thanks for your honest review. I am intrigued and want to Google that rehab place now and find out all I can. I am so sad when I her about places that take advantage of people when they should be helping.
Sometimes in an attempt to shock or polarize the reader, they end up turning you off. It stops being genuine. I have experienced this in a couple of other books.
I am always looking for something new to read. Sounds interesting..
Wow, this sounds like a massive eye opener. I'm not typically into memoirs but damn, I love a confronting read. It sounds like you struggled with the narration though and I'm hoping I don't have the same issue but sadly, I probably will. I think it's one of those reads you need to toughen yourself up for. Great review Lauren, I'm glad you were still able to enjoy it despite those niggling issues <3
Wow, this book sounds like it has a lot going on. It's definitely not a book for me, so I can't see myself ever picking it up. Good for you for pushing through even though you were put off by the writing. I'm glad you enjoyed it somewhat!
Great review! Have a wonderful day. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
This was pretty much my feelings about this book exactly. I felt horrible for what Cyndy went through, but I did find the writing style difficult to connect to at first.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh man, this kind of stuff pisses me off because it does actually happen. People suck. Glad you still liked it besides the style.
Oh no I don't think I could handle a story like this if it was true. That kind of stuff freaks me out. I've seen enough over the years of my mom watching dateline. I know the world is bad. I do think it's important though. I didn't know things would happen like that a drug rehabilitation center.
Goah, reading the summary alone seemed really impactful and it's a true story? Woah. That book seems like something I'd have to prepare emotionally for.