BOOK REVIEW: Against Such Things by Rachel K. Baldwin

Against Such Things

By Rachel K. Baldwin

Genre: Memoir, Substance Abuse Recovery

Book Description

If you are born into ineffable darkness, could you even comprehend the light?

Take one-part volatile home life, two-parts haphazard nomadic existence, zero-parts social connection, and shake well. Our protagonist's only constant is unpredictability: that, and the charismatic, fundamentalist hammerings from the pulpit.

But when a sheltered child goes nuclear? Just pray you are FAR from the exclusion zone.

Can a toxic cocktail of compounded trauma, spiritual warfare, and an unfettered nosedive into addiction be overcome? Join Rachel on her passage through the underworld as she searches for the means to reassemble her splintered psyche while wrestling Against Such Things.

My Review

Addiction and recovery is a subject matter that is very dear to my heart. Substance abuse is something my family members and friends have struggled with throughout my life. Some are in recovery, some still abuse drugs and alcohol, and others have died from addiction. 

Against Such Things is a powerful read. In full transparency, I know Rachel but didn't know her while she was using or struggling. I found myself forgetting it was Rachel who I was reading about as I turned page after page. Her story is a relatable one: wanting to be loved, wanting to be a part of something, wanting to belong, and turning to something darker to ease the pain.

This book covers the beginning of Rachel's addiction, takes readers on a wild ride of what it could like, and finally, the bottom where Rachel decided to walk a different path. It's heart wrenching and beautiful.

Against Such Things is a testament that it takes one choice to shift your entire life. Rachel's story is about resilience, not giving up on yourself or others, and taking a chance. I'm forever grateful for her vulnerability.

About the Author 

The long and short of it is this: I'm a recovering black-out artist, stay-at-home-dog-mom, and serial overcomer, but you can just call me Rachel.
 
Life's been crazy, intense, messy, ugly, surreal, and BEAUTIFUL.
 
In-between hunting for estate sales, compulsively redecorating my historic home, and hanging out with my favorite people (aka, my fam), I write. It's my bridge to serenity. The place where I am centered and whole.
 
I'm a second-chance enthusiast at heart and the most fallible of any human I've met.
 
Gratitude. That's where I abide, man. All the time. No matter what.
 
Against Such Things is my first book.

 

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://facebook.com/againstsuchthings

Instagram: https://instagram.com/calmbeforetherach

Website: https://rachelkbaldwin.com

 

Book Purchase Link

(available in paperback & Kindle versions; audiobook in production)

Amazon

Orca Books