Cruel Harvest

A Memoir

By: Fran Elizabeth Grubb, Bryan Reardon

Narrated by: Fran Elizabeth Grubb

"Get out here, now, or I'm gonna kill you!" he hollered.

Little girls are hardwired to hold their daddies in high esteem, so it comes as a shock the first time a daughter feels the back of her daddy's hand across her face... or watches him punch and kick her mother to within an inch of her life. How could this be? Her older sisters teach her how to survive, even when he comes for her in the night. A girl learns to become invisible, to look the other way, to say nothing when a curious stranger asks if she's okay. To lie. To expect nothing, not even from relatives. To cry without tears. To pray silently.

When she is 14, and weary, a girl begins to wish she were dead. Cruel Harvest is the compelling story of how she lived instead.

©2012 Fran Elizabeth Grubb (P)2012 Oasis Audio

Moving Story

This book had to be narrated by the author. She had to tell her own story. It made the experience so much more personal. How she survived her abuse is a testament to her own strength, courage, and faith in God. Never once did she ask, "why, God?" Many people question or curse God when horrible things happen to children. If He loved children so much, why would He make Fran and her siblings endure such pain? Maybe it was to bring her closer to him. Her faith is astounding and most certainly got her through her hardships. I feel as if the reunion happened at just the right time. Fran and her siblings struggled with their demons throughout their lives. Perhaps they wouldn't have been ready to bear their old wounds had they met sooner. Fran's father was indeed a monster. However, I can't help but wonder if the beatings and head trauma he received while in the CCC camp and in bar fights might have led to his violent behavior. Many former football players encounter chronic traumatic encephalopathy from years of head injuries. He exhibited many symptoms: depression, impulsive behavior, poor judgement, emotional instability and substance abuse. I guess I want to believe that something caused his erratic behavior, rather than believing he took pleasure in dominating, bullying and hurting his own family. Regardless, Fran's ability to forgive her father is commendable. Hearing the resolve in her voice and her wish to be closer to God, shows that although her father attempted to break her, her faith won out. I thank her for sharing her story.

Captivating! Had me from start to finish!

Throughly enjoyed this book! Could not put it down! Having being read by the Author made it even more special and heartfelt.