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Breaking Twig
Southern fiction and Mother-Daugther Relationships
Set in rural Georgia in the 1960s, BREAKING TWIG is a coming-of-age novel about Becky (Twig) Cooper, a young woman trying to survive the physical and emotional abuse of her mother, Helen, a beautiful, calculating woman who can, with a mere look, send the meanest cur in Sugardale, Georgia running for its life. Not even Twig’s vivid imagination, keen wit, and dark sense of humor is enough to help her survive the escalating assaults of Helen and a new stepbrother, but help comes from an unexpected source—Frank, her stepfather. Sometimes, having one person who loves and believes in you is all a girl needs to keep hope alive.
Often raw and irreverent and sprinkled with all the Southern flavoring found in a good bowl of chicken and dumplings, BREAKING TWIG, is about finding love where we least expect it, destroying lives with easy lies, and realizing each of us determine our own truth.
(Taken from author's website.)
Set in rural Georgia in the 1960s, BREAKING TWIG is a coming-of-age novel about Becky (Twig) Cooper, a young woman trying to survive the physical and emotional abuse of her mother, Helen, a beautiful, calculating woman who can, with a mere look, send the meanest cur in Sugardale, Georgia running for its life. Not even Twig’s vivid imagination, keen wit, and dark sense of humor is enough to help her survive the escalating assaults of Helen and a new stepbrother, but help comes from an unexpected source—Frank, her stepfather. Sometimes, having one person who loves and believes in you is all a girl needs to keep hope alive.
Often raw and irreverent and sprinkled with all the Southern flavoring found in a good bowl of chicken and dumplings, BREAKING TWIG, is about finding love where we least expect it, destroying lives with easy lies, and realizing each of us determine our own truth.
(Taken from author's website.)
457 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2011
350 people are currently reading
3120 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Epperson
2 books35 followersBorn and raised in the Deep South, Deborah Epperson received a BS degree in biology and English in Texas, and pursued post graduate work in chemistry at Georgia Tech. After working in the scientific field for twenty years, she turned her talents to writing fiction and nonfiction. Her award winning nonfiction and poetry have been published in newspapers and magazines locally and nationally.
Deborah enjoys writing stories and characters steeped in the lyrical traditions and mystical surroundings of the Deep South where she grew up.
When not working on her next novel or article, she enjoys doing pet therapy work with her golden retriever, and volunteering in animal rescue.
Deborah enjoys writing stories and characters steeped in the lyrical traditions and mystical surroundings of the Deep South where she grew up.
When not working on her next novel or article, she enjoys doing pet therapy work with her golden retriever, and volunteering in animal rescue.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 470 reviews
February 23, 2012
You know I like authors that have guts and take chances and put themselves out there for the whole world to criticize. Deborah Epperson set herself up to be completely ripped to shreds with some of the plot points in this novel and because of that I stinking LOVE her guts.
I fully realize this book isn't going to resonate the same way with every reader. I understand the desire that might prompt someone to give this book a lesser rating or poor review, but honestly it could totally happen. Just because you might not like it or want to believe it or because its not perfectly wrapped-up in a Cinderella package doesn't mean you should rate this book poorly. It was well-written, had an intriguing story-line, superbly developed characters and really delved deep into the human psyche.
This book isn't what I would call a romance, although there is romance/love/heartache & some forms of happiness within its pages. I can't even pinpoint what the exact genre would be for this book, but exquisite would define it best.
Deborah Epperson really makes you think. The entire time you want to save Twig, but she can't be saved. She is literally being broken on almost every.single.page. But don't worry their is redemption and even though its no fairy tale ending its real. It's true. And it really touches the heart. Throughout most of the story I couldn't help, but think "If I was Twig, what would I have done?"
And unless you are Twig you can't honestly answer that question.
If you are looking for a book that takes a chance, tips the scale and teeters on the edge of "How in the hell did she write this?!?" Then Deborah Epperson is your girl and Breaking Twig is your story.
p.s. the title of this book is pure genius.
I fully realize this book isn't going to resonate the same way with every reader. I understand the desire that might prompt someone to give this book a lesser rating or poor review, but honestly it could totally happen. Just because you might not like it or want to believe it or because its not perfectly wrapped-up in a Cinderella package doesn't mean you should rate this book poorly. It was well-written, had an intriguing story-line, superbly developed characters and really delved deep into the human psyche.
This book isn't what I would call a romance, although there is romance/love/heartache & some forms of happiness within its pages. I can't even pinpoint what the exact genre would be for this book, but exquisite would define it best.
Deborah Epperson really makes you think. The entire time you want to save Twig, but she can't be saved. She is literally being broken on almost every.single.page. But don't worry their is redemption and even though its no fairy tale ending its real. It's true. And it really touches the heart. Throughout most of the story I couldn't help, but think "If I was Twig, what would I have done?"
And unless you are Twig you can't honestly answer that question.
If you are looking for a book that takes a chance, tips the scale and teeters on the edge of "How in the hell did she write this?!?" Then Deborah Epperson is your girl and Breaking Twig is your story.
p.s. the title of this book is pure genius.
August 14, 2012
Holy. Shit.
If you want to see an author straight-up torture a main character, pick up "Breaking TWIG." For darned near the entire book, Deborah Epperson…well, I figure she spent most of her writing sessions alternating between cackling maniacally at her latest idea for Becky Cooper and banging out wicked plot twists on her keyboard.
Rebecca Cooper, also known as "Twig" or "Ladybug," is a teenager with a dead father and a psycho-hose-beast mother. The crazy bitch hates Becky, and always has as far as the teenager can remember. Helen of Psychoville has broken the girl's arm before, along with beating the ever-loving crap out of her plenty of times.
We see everything from Becky's point of view, so we have no idea why Helen's such a nutjob. All we see is what Becky sees, and describes in past tense.
This book starts off normally enough—Becky remembers being a little girl, learning about "Pickers" and "Picks" from her grandpa. Pickers are people who hurt, manipulate, and torment others; Picks are their victims. Helen is definitely a Picker; she gets what she wants even if it means smexytime with lots of dudes in the community. Like the Sheriff.
Soon enough, "Breaking TWIG" becomes a game of, "Let's see what we can do to Becky next." That would be interesting if Epperson had done a better job with pacing along with introducing each shit sandwich Becky ended up having to eat. Most of the events are flat-out unbelievable because they aren't well set up—and because I sit here, reading and thinking, "Are you serious? That doesn't even make any sense."
Here's the general idea of what happens to Becky. These, by the way, are just the highlights; there are plenty of subtler notes of WTFery throughout the book.
Her brand-new stepbrother, Donald, rapes her. She tells Helen, who accuses her of lying and makes her recant. Frank, her stepfather, runs interference when Helen starts destroying pictures of Johnny, Becky's best friend (and the guy Helen accused of being the real rapist, just to piss off Becky).
Eventually, Frank has enough and leaves. Becky sneaks into his truck and hitches a ride, but he finds her. He agrees to take her to visit Johnny in another town, where he's working and going to college, because that's where she was headed anyway.
Wait—did you think they were still just friends? That's what I thought. Then, when Becky saw Johnny kissing another girl, Becky lost her shit right there at his workplace. Oops. It turns out that they're engaged—and Becky's there so they can run away together.
Frank has to take Becky back home, but they become friends along the way. He agrees to stay so Becky won't be alone with her. Life goes back to its usual WTFery, at least for a while.
Soon, Becky and Johnny run away to get married. Aww. How sweet. They end up in Tennessee, where Becky thinks her mother has no favors or special friends, but she's wrong. The Sheriff from back home, along with a local law-enforcement officer, haul them both off. Johnny has two choices: go up on rape charges or ship out to Vietnam. He joins the Army and leaves, not knowing that Becky's pregnant.
Helen finds out that Becky's expecting and drags her to a dentist in another town. When Becky wakes from the anesthetic she allegedly needed for a tooth extraction, she discovers that she's a victim of a botched, illegal abortion.
Oh, you think that's bad? You think Becky's had enough? Hah! Helen's just begun. She tells people at a mental-health facility that Becky did this to herself and is feeling suicidal, so off she goes for more than a year—to the insane asylum. Frank regularly visits Becky in the loony bin but, for months, she doesn't want to see him. He'd sworn to protect her from Helen, and to get her and the baby safely off to a relative's house in another town before Helen found out. He failed. Miserably. And she's pissed.
Eventually, they make up. Becky's sprung from the nut hatch shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Now she's an adult and can do pretty much whatever she pleases. Having been kicked around her entire life, she decides to try her hand at being a Picker instead of a Pick.
First, she talks Frank into manipulating Helen. Becky wants her mother to sign their house and the family business over to Frank in exchange for Frank moving back in (he's been sleeping at their store). Becky will, of course, help run the store when she gets back from her uncomfortably long vacation at Crazytown where, by the way, she's repeatedly raped.
Next, she seduces Frank. They're getting their freak on with Helen's full knowledge. She's getting in lots of smexytime with her boyfriend anyway and doesn't seem to care what her daughter and husband are doing with each other.
Helen's boyfriend wants to marry her and move out of state; she wants to go, but must be bribed. Fifty thousand bucks, cash, and a small stake in the business, are all it takes to buy her off.
Frank and Becky have started a second store in another town. Frank wants to move there with Becky, but she rejects the idea every time it's presented. See, she swore to her daddy on his deathbed that she'd always take care of the house, the store, and everything else. Why she thinks she's bound to a promise made when she was a kid is beyond me. There's so little about her relationship with her father that I just can't picture Becky choosing to stay where she and Frank are miserable because of a promise she made years ago.
Donald the Rapist pops up and demands a job at his father's business. Frank refuses because Donald is a lazy moron. Also, Frank now knows what Donald did to Becky and refuses to let him anywhere near her.
Right now, Donald works for his father-in-law's car dealership, but is looking to move on because he's facing the consequences for drunkenly crashing a demo vehicle.
A mysterious fire (that isn't so mysterious—duh) breaks out, burning the original store to the ground. Well, crap. Becky finds hardcore proof that Donald did it, but hides the evidence because she doesn't want to hurt Frank. See, she realized that she really loves him, which redeems most of her crappy behavior as of late. Frank and Helen finally get a divorce, ending the pseudo-incest that's been happening for a while, but Frank dies before he can marry Becky.
That's right. Frank dies. He bites it in his early forties thanks to a heart attack.
To make things worse—Becky's choked down enough shit sandwiches, so she's topping them off with a big ol' manure milkshake—nobody can find the latest version of Frank's will: the one that leaves his house and his store to Helen and/or Becky instead of Donald. Oh, snap!
Donald shows up and beats Becky. He's in the middle of trying to rape her when Helen shows up and brains him with a chair. You're tempted to think, "Wow, so she finally redeemed herself after doing nothing but evil things to Becky this entire time," but you would be wrong. The only reason Helen saves Becky is to have her bruises and other wounds documented; they're great for blackmailing Donald into letting the two of them stay in the house.
Yes, Helen really is that ridiculous as a villain. She has zero redeeming qualities and, to make things worse, the author doesn't even show us, until very near the end of the story, why we should feel a shred of compassion for the mean-spirited bitch. Epperson hints, here and there, that Helen might have had a bad childhood, but how is that an excuse? (Her childhood's worse than I initially thought. If you aren't in the mood to read about incest—and not the stepfather/stepdaughter kind—you probably shouldn't read this book.)
Now, here's where the really crazy crap starts.
Donald kidnaps Becky and drives out to the middle of nowhere—a piece of property Frank owned. Why does Donald drag Becky out there? To let her walk around by the lake unaccompanied. Yes. Really. What the hell? Have I been doing my kidnappings wrong this entire time without knowing it? Damn. No wonder I keep going back to prison.
While Becky's conveniently away from Donald but not running the hell away from his crazy ass, one of the store employees shows up. WTF? How did he even know that Donald was out there? And why would he go all the way to that remote location in the first place?
Becky overhears their shouted conversation. Donald fired the employee for no good reason. The worker is mad. Very mad. They get into a fistfight, which lasts all of one punch apiece, and the worker gets back into his vehicle to take off. Becky tries to catch up to him, but he doesn't see or hear her.
Donald snags Becky and tells her to go retrieve a blanket from the truck. Yes, Donald the Rapist is at it yet again; he doesn't even try to hide it at all.
But he sends her back to the pickup, which has to be kept running because Donald doesn't maintain it very well at all, to get the blanket so she can be raped in relative comfort.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around that when I hit the next-page button and…WTF? Now Becky's back at home? What happened? Now I'm reading some bull crap about Becky and Helen having a catering business. I don't care. I don't care at all. Show me what the hell happened with Donald the Rapist already.
Eventually, I learn that Donald's dead. His truck went off a cliff and caught on fire, just like in those extremely realistic, very believable action movies. But this was an accident, of course. No way would Becky kill somebody. Even in self defense. Sure.
She doesn't come forward until the employee who took one swing at Donald is charged. Knowing that she needs to do the right thing, she crafts a ridiculous cover story about accidentally dropping a heavy-ass book on the gearshift, which put the truck in reverse and sent it, along with Donald, over the cliff.
Despite that terrible story, she gets away with it—no charges filed, probably because the prosecutor got the photos Helen had taken of Becky after Donald beat her ass.
The rest of the story just doesn't matter. It's incapable of topping this level of crazy-train WTFery. Epperson sort of tries to beat her own high score on this one, but the rest is relatively normal and, in fact, a happy ending.
Yep. Becky gets her happily ever after despite eating turds on toast the entire book. Finally.
Because this book was such an addictive train wreck—a collision between "WTF" and "Crazysauce," I give it an "A" for the entertainment factor. The real grade, though, is a "D" because Epperson just keeps torturing characters without giving them time to catch their breaths, or setting up these events so that they're believable, or otherwise crafting a realistic tale.
If you want to see an author straight-up torture a main character, pick up "Breaking TWIG." For darned near the entire book, Deborah Epperson…well, I figure she spent most of her writing sessions alternating between cackling maniacally at her latest idea for Becky Cooper and banging out wicked plot twists on her keyboard.
Rebecca Cooper, also known as "Twig" or "Ladybug," is a teenager with a dead father and a psycho-hose-beast mother. The crazy bitch hates Becky, and always has as far as the teenager can remember. Helen of Psychoville has broken the girl's arm before, along with beating the ever-loving crap out of her plenty of times.
We see everything from Becky's point of view, so we have no idea why Helen's such a nutjob. All we see is what Becky sees, and describes in past tense.
This book starts off normally enough—Becky remembers being a little girl, learning about "Pickers" and "Picks" from her grandpa. Pickers are people who hurt, manipulate, and torment others; Picks are their victims. Helen is definitely a Picker; she gets what she wants even if it means smexytime with lots of dudes in the community. Like the Sheriff.
Soon enough, "Breaking TWIG" becomes a game of, "Let's see what we can do to Becky next." That would be interesting if Epperson had done a better job with pacing along with introducing each shit sandwich Becky ended up having to eat. Most of the events are flat-out unbelievable because they aren't well set up—and because I sit here, reading and thinking, "Are you serious? That doesn't even make any sense."
Here's the general idea of what happens to Becky. These, by the way, are just the highlights; there are plenty of subtler notes of WTFery throughout the book.
Her brand-new stepbrother, Donald, rapes her. She tells Helen, who accuses her of lying and makes her recant. Frank, her stepfather, runs interference when Helen starts destroying pictures of Johnny, Becky's best friend (and the guy Helen accused of being the real rapist, just to piss off Becky).
Eventually, Frank has enough and leaves. Becky sneaks into his truck and hitches a ride, but he finds her. He agrees to take her to visit Johnny in another town, where he's working and going to college, because that's where she was headed anyway.
Wait—did you think they were still just friends? That's what I thought. Then, when Becky saw Johnny kissing another girl, Becky lost her shit right there at his workplace. Oops. It turns out that they're engaged—and Becky's there so they can run away together.
Frank has to take Becky back home, but they become friends along the way. He agrees to stay so Becky won't be alone with her. Life goes back to its usual WTFery, at least for a while.
Soon, Becky and Johnny run away to get married. Aww. How sweet. They end up in Tennessee, where Becky thinks her mother has no favors or special friends, but she's wrong. The Sheriff from back home, along with a local law-enforcement officer, haul them both off. Johnny has two choices: go up on rape charges or ship out to Vietnam. He joins the Army and leaves, not knowing that Becky's pregnant.
Helen finds out that Becky's expecting and drags her to a dentist in another town. When Becky wakes from the anesthetic she allegedly needed for a tooth extraction, she discovers that she's a victim of a botched, illegal abortion.
Oh, you think that's bad? You think Becky's had enough? Hah! Helen's just begun. She tells people at a mental-health facility that Becky did this to herself and is feeling suicidal, so off she goes for more than a year—to the insane asylum. Frank regularly visits Becky in the loony bin but, for months, she doesn't want to see him. He'd sworn to protect her from Helen, and to get her and the baby safely off to a relative's house in another town before Helen found out. He failed. Miserably. And she's pissed.
Eventually, they make up. Becky's sprung from the nut hatch shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Now she's an adult and can do pretty much whatever she pleases. Having been kicked around her entire life, she decides to try her hand at being a Picker instead of a Pick.
First, she talks Frank into manipulating Helen. Becky wants her mother to sign their house and the family business over to Frank in exchange for Frank moving back in (he's been sleeping at their store). Becky will, of course, help run the store when she gets back from her uncomfortably long vacation at Crazytown where, by the way, she's repeatedly raped.
Next, she seduces Frank. They're getting their freak on with Helen's full knowledge. She's getting in lots of smexytime with her boyfriend anyway and doesn't seem to care what her daughter and husband are doing with each other.
Helen's boyfriend wants to marry her and move out of state; she wants to go, but must be bribed. Fifty thousand bucks, cash, and a small stake in the business, are all it takes to buy her off.
Frank and Becky have started a second store in another town. Frank wants to move there with Becky, but she rejects the idea every time it's presented. See, she swore to her daddy on his deathbed that she'd always take care of the house, the store, and everything else. Why she thinks she's bound to a promise made when she was a kid is beyond me. There's so little about her relationship with her father that I just can't picture Becky choosing to stay where she and Frank are miserable because of a promise she made years ago.
Donald the Rapist pops up and demands a job at his father's business. Frank refuses because Donald is a lazy moron. Also, Frank now knows what Donald did to Becky and refuses to let him anywhere near her.
Right now, Donald works for his father-in-law's car dealership, but is looking to move on because he's facing the consequences for drunkenly crashing a demo vehicle.
A mysterious fire (that isn't so mysterious—duh) breaks out, burning the original store to the ground. Well, crap. Becky finds hardcore proof that Donald did it, but hides the evidence because she doesn't want to hurt Frank. See, she realized that she really loves him, which redeems most of her crappy behavior as of late. Frank and Helen finally get a divorce, ending the pseudo-incest that's been happening for a while, but Frank dies before he can marry Becky.
That's right. Frank dies. He bites it in his early forties thanks to a heart attack.
To make things worse—Becky's choked down enough shit sandwiches, so she's topping them off with a big ol' manure milkshake—nobody can find the latest version of Frank's will: the one that leaves his house and his store to Helen and/or Becky instead of Donald. Oh, snap!
Donald shows up and beats Becky. He's in the middle of trying to rape her when Helen shows up and brains him with a chair. You're tempted to think, "Wow, so she finally redeemed herself after doing nothing but evil things to Becky this entire time," but you would be wrong. The only reason Helen saves Becky is to have her bruises and other wounds documented; they're great for blackmailing Donald into letting the two of them stay in the house.
Yes, Helen really is that ridiculous as a villain. She has zero redeeming qualities and, to make things worse, the author doesn't even show us, until very near the end of the story, why we should feel a shred of compassion for the mean-spirited bitch. Epperson hints, here and there, that Helen might have had a bad childhood, but how is that an excuse? (Her childhood's worse than I initially thought. If you aren't in the mood to read about incest—and not the stepfather/stepdaughter kind—you probably shouldn't read this book.)
Now, here's where the really crazy crap starts.
Donald kidnaps Becky and drives out to the middle of nowhere—a piece of property Frank owned. Why does Donald drag Becky out there? To let her walk around by the lake unaccompanied. Yes. Really. What the hell? Have I been doing my kidnappings wrong this entire time without knowing it? Damn. No wonder I keep going back to prison.
While Becky's conveniently away from Donald but not running the hell away from his crazy ass, one of the store employees shows up. WTF? How did he even know that Donald was out there? And why would he go all the way to that remote location in the first place?
Becky overhears their shouted conversation. Donald fired the employee for no good reason. The worker is mad. Very mad. They get into a fistfight, which lasts all of one punch apiece, and the worker gets back into his vehicle to take off. Becky tries to catch up to him, but he doesn't see or hear her.
Donald snags Becky and tells her to go retrieve a blanket from the truck. Yes, Donald the Rapist is at it yet again; he doesn't even try to hide it at all.
But he sends her back to the pickup, which has to be kept running because Donald doesn't maintain it very well at all, to get the blanket so she can be raped in relative comfort.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around that when I hit the next-page button and…WTF? Now Becky's back at home? What happened? Now I'm reading some bull crap about Becky and Helen having a catering business. I don't care. I don't care at all. Show me what the hell happened with Donald the Rapist already.
Eventually, I learn that Donald's dead. His truck went off a cliff and caught on fire, just like in those extremely realistic, very believable action movies. But this was an accident, of course. No way would Becky kill somebody. Even in self defense. Sure.
She doesn't come forward until the employee who took one swing at Donald is charged. Knowing that she needs to do the right thing, she crafts a ridiculous cover story about accidentally dropping a heavy-ass book on the gearshift, which put the truck in reverse and sent it, along with Donald, over the cliff.
Despite that terrible story, she gets away with it—no charges filed, probably because the prosecutor got the photos Helen had taken of Becky after Donald beat her ass.
The rest of the story just doesn't matter. It's incapable of topping this level of crazy-train WTFery. Epperson sort of tries to beat her own high score on this one, but the rest is relatively normal and, in fact, a happy ending.
Yep. Becky gets her happily ever after despite eating turds on toast the entire book. Finally.
Because this book was such an addictive train wreck—a collision between "WTF" and "Crazysauce," I give it an "A" for the entertainment factor. The real grade, though, is a "D" because Epperson just keeps torturing characters without giving them time to catch their breaths, or setting up these events so that they're believable, or otherwise crafting a realistic tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2012
Another reviewer said they read this book in 5 hours. I couldn't. Mainly because the characters are so complex that it drew me in deeply. The style of Deborah Epperson's writing made me feel like I was in the house, watching to tormented Becky Cooper struggle through her young life. It's a very dark story, not a pretty, happy little package. Every time I thought Becky was able to turn a corner and might find happiness, the story took another turn. A glimpse into a southern town in the 60's and 70's....a few surprises behind closed curtains and doors.
The relationship between Becky and her mother was like nothing I've ever read before. This book deserves accolades, well written, complex characters and a memorable story. I'll be watching for the next one by Deborah Epperson!
The relationship between Becky and her mother was like nothing I've ever read before. This book deserves accolades, well written, complex characters and a memorable story. I'll be watching for the next one by Deborah Epperson!
December 28, 2011
A story of survival under physical and emotional abuse. A reminder that we control our lives based on the way we choose to react to situations.
January 26, 2012
I LOVED this book. It was a perfect coming of age story set in the south in a dysfunctional home. The setting and time and characters are rolled into the most perfect story. Becky Leigh was the main character and her life unfolds as the story of Pickers and Picks that Grandpa Eli tells her. The world is made up of pickers who bully people by picking a person and wearing them down to nothing. The details of the abuse this child endured broke my heart. I have not context for that kind of violence to a child. But Becky Leigh finds a still, small voice and is guided through this journey with guts and Grandpa Eli's good advice. This book was filled with truisms. Just a few of my favorites--
"A line in the sand can become a rut. A rut can become a ditch, and a ditch can be worn down into a pit. There's not much difference between a pit and a grave."
"If a woman makes a man feel like her hero, he'll move heaven and hell to please her."
"Truth denied and then acknowledged is twice as bitter, twice as cruel."
"It's amazing what a girl can do when she has one person in her life that loves and believes in her unconditionally."
"The heart whispers to us. Too often, I'm afraid we let the noise of the world drown out what it's trying to tell us."
The book went on a little long in order to bring about a resolution. I think the reader would be better served if the author ended the story sooner and left some things to the imagination. Also, I didn't really buy the ending. Still, I was truly engaged in the story and rooting for Becky Leigh. And we all could use a Grandpa Eli!
"A line in the sand can become a rut. A rut can become a ditch, and a ditch can be worn down into a pit. There's not much difference between a pit and a grave."
"If a woman makes a man feel like her hero, he'll move heaven and hell to please her."
"Truth denied and then acknowledged is twice as bitter, twice as cruel."
"It's amazing what a girl can do when she has one person in her life that loves and believes in her unconditionally."
"The heart whispers to us. Too often, I'm afraid we let the noise of the world drown out what it's trying to tell us."
The book went on a little long in order to bring about a resolution. I think the reader would be better served if the author ended the story sooner and left some things to the imagination. Also, I didn't really buy the ending. Still, I was truly engaged in the story and rooting for Becky Leigh. And we all could use a Grandpa Eli!
August 13, 2016
This was a free book on Pixel of Ink. The premise looked interesting, and I will say that the overall plot had some things going for it. The primary concept--an abused girl grows up to find herself becoming the thing she despises--has plenty going for it. The author came up with some satisfying plot resolutions, and the characters pretty much all had both good and bad features rather than falling into the "white hat"/"black hat" trap.
But...but. I kept looking for a depth of emotion that I just didn't find. Through a bunch of pretty horrific happenings, I was never able to connect emotionally with the protagonist--or any of the characters, really. Maybe if the writer had chosen something other than first-person narration...I don't know. Everything felt...removed...somehow, especially where I wanted it to feel raw and immediate.
The author also chose to make some pretty risky choices regarding one of her primary love matches. She did her best to set it up so that it wouldn't come off as creepy, but I'm not sure she succeeded. I think it would be a really tough sell no matter what the premise, but I ended up getting a real "Flowers in the Attic" vibe off it. That might not be an issue for a lot of readers, but it was for me.
And the book was LONG. It's hard to tell exactly how long on the Kindle, but...long. After about two chapters, I ended up skimming the remainder so I could find out what happened--the plot, as I said, had enough interest that I wasn't willing to just shut the thing down.
But...but. I kept looking for a depth of emotion that I just didn't find. Through a bunch of pretty horrific happenings, I was never able to connect emotionally with the protagonist--or any of the characters, really. Maybe if the writer had chosen something other than first-person narration...I don't know. Everything felt...removed...somehow, especially where I wanted it to feel raw and immediate.
The author also chose to make some pretty risky choices regarding one of her primary love matches. She did her best to set it up so that it wouldn't come off as creepy, but I'm not sure she succeeded. I think it would be a really tough sell no matter what the premise, but I ended up getting a real "Flowers in the Attic" vibe off it. That might not be an issue for a lot of readers, but it was for me.
And the book was LONG. It's hard to tell exactly how long on the Kindle, but...long. After about two chapters, I ended up skimming the remainder so I could find out what happened--the plot, as I said, had enough interest that I wasn't willing to just shut the thing down.
April 12, 2013
This book was… Interesting. I enjoyed it although I hated myself for enjoying it. It's very very dark!Horrible things happen to Twig, horrible things happen to mama as well. But I don't care what happened to mama, she is awful no matter what happened! Her character is up there with Lord Voldermort for me. If I had to combine movies to describe this book it would be the movies home fries, Sling Blade and girl interrupted. Most of the time I think that authors can combine their three books and make one book, Not this one! I read this and thought this would be a great three-part book. It was long, so so so long. But when it comes down to it I read it and it was a page turner and I didn't give up on it like I do with so many other books. So I gave it three stars but it's probably more of a four, I wish I could give it a half star, 3.5 would be perfect for this book. If you like dark comedies and Understand deep South ghetto living then you'll love this book. I. Hate. Mama!!
I hate her!
I hate her!
September 2, 2012
I could not put the book down...it was literally so captivating that I held my Kindle while canning banana peppers and cooking and could not wait for the next chapter. Ms. Epperson, you have done a wonderful job and I hope that you do not stop with Rebecca and Breaking Twig...just awesome.
November 7, 2011
The author skillfully draws the reader into the world of Becky (Twig) Cooper and the rural Georgia of the 60’s and 70’s. The book follows Becky from the age of 5 to 21 and her turbulent struggle with her abusive mother, Helen, and her growing friendship with Frank, the stepfather who risks everything to protect her. Becky is the narrator, so the reader is privy to her internal musings and her dark humor and keen wit. It’s her humor, the well defined, multi-layered characters, and the sharp-edged dialogue that made this a book I couldn’t put down.
This emotional story winds and intertwines with some unexpected twists leading to a truly satisfying ending. The author tells Twig’s story with raw candor without regard to political or social correctness, and explores the depths of the human spirit and heart with courage, wisdom, and honesty.
October 17, 2016
I wasn't sure what I thought about this book at first, but then I realized I really just wanted to step into the book and give all the characters a hug to commemorate all we'd been through together. SO MUCH happens in this book, I doubt you'll be bored.
March 22, 2012
A book of survival. My life was soooo blessed compared to lots of people. This book is a glimpse of Becky Leigh's life and how she survived. I was constantly reading, not wanting to put book down. Kept me entertained all the way through
May 27, 2024
Breaking Twig came to me via a link for a free book. It took me a while to get around to reading it. I put it off because the description lead me to think it might not be something I was really going to enjoy. Boy oh Boy was I wrong!
As I started reading Twig, I was so gripped by this poor little girl's plight that I just had to force myself to keep reading. Why? Hope is why. I had to continue to read Twig's story because if I quit reading it meant I'd given up any hope of her ever finding any happiness and as a young girl who was raised in the south, born in the 50's and raised in the 60's and 70's, I understood way too much of her life and how what she went through was all to possible.
Yep, it's true, this book is about a young girl who is abused, plain and simple, no if and or but about it. Was what she did, right or wrong? How can we judge some of her actions unless we've walked in her shoes? I can't say I'd have positively made different choices had it been me. When you're faced with feeling that alone and unloved and at such a young age, I think I'd have done the same.
In the end, the part of this book that literally brought me to my knees and truly broke me started at the 2nd meeting with Mr. Varner and Judge Langford when Twig said, "I used to think the truth was important too, Mr. Varner. But then I realized-" From that point on I was pretty much an emotional wreck!
It's hard to say much more without spoilers so I'll leave this here and just say that this is why I read. This book took me on a roller coaster journey through the depths of emotion, sacrifice, destruction and healing. It took my hope, crushed it and then rebuilt it into one that I don't ever want to forget. It gave me hope that life can turn around for some people and a feeling that being able to experience it through the voice of Ms. Epperson was an experience I wanted to remember always and hold on to for my lifetime. And, for that I would like to thank her.
This book deals with child abuse, rape, adultery, violence and a lot more that many many people will find objectionable just on face value. It you can't look at it for what it is and see beyond that, then I recommend you NOT read this book. However, if you're able to see beyond and find the struggle to survive and do so with some humanity in tact, and you're looking for a book that gives you HOPE, then I highly recommend this book.
As I started reading Twig, I was so gripped by this poor little girl's plight that I just had to force myself to keep reading. Why? Hope is why. I had to continue to read Twig's story because if I quit reading it meant I'd given up any hope of her ever finding any happiness and as a young girl who was raised in the south, born in the 50's and raised in the 60's and 70's, I understood way too much of her life and how what she went through was all to possible.
Yep, it's true, this book is about a young girl who is abused, plain and simple, no if and or but about it. Was what she did, right or wrong? How can we judge some of her actions unless we've walked in her shoes? I can't say I'd have positively made different choices had it been me. When you're faced with feeling that alone and unloved and at such a young age, I think I'd have done the same.
In the end, the part of this book that literally brought me to my knees and truly broke me started at the 2nd meeting with Mr. Varner and Judge Langford when Twig said, "I used to think the truth was important too, Mr. Varner. But then I realized-" From that point on I was pretty much an emotional wreck!
It's hard to say much more without spoilers so I'll leave this here and just say that this is why I read. This book took me on a roller coaster journey through the depths of emotion, sacrifice, destruction and healing. It took my hope, crushed it and then rebuilt it into one that I don't ever want to forget. It gave me hope that life can turn around for some people and a feeling that being able to experience it through the voice of Ms. Epperson was an experience I wanted to remember always and hold on to for my lifetime. And, for that I would like to thank her.
This book deals with child abuse, rape, adultery, violence and a lot more that many many people will find objectionable just on face value. It you can't look at it for what it is and see beyond that, then I recommend you NOT read this book. However, if you're able to see beyond and find the struggle to survive and do so with some humanity in tact, and you're looking for a book that gives you HOPE, then I highly recommend this book.
January 5, 2012
Reading this book was a bit like reading The Kite Runner... Very thought provoking, but makes you think of things you'd rather not. The author did a good job (too good a job even) of portraying certain types of people and situations. When I finished reading, all I could think was "I hope she didn't have first-hand experience."
January 27, 2012
Loved it. It was heart wrenching. I shed a few tears.
June 8, 2012
I would probably give this book 2.5 stars- but I could not finish it after the 17th chapter. The incest scene ruined my ability to finish this book. I recieved it free for my kindle fire so I did not fee bad deleting it from my e reader.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I like the authors writing style,not a lot of fluff- things happened without having to weed thru alot of fluff writing. The things that happened to the main character throughout the book were awful. I kept reading hoping at some point the main character would rise above it all and lead her own life. It just never happens. I felt I was being sucked into a deep black hole of depressing topics with no rainbow in site. Rape, incest, child abuse, mental institutions, abortion. It was when Becky started to become the villian in the book I could not read it any more
February 21, 2012
Fantastic read! Breaking Twig definitely has its dark moments, but ultimately it's a story about love, forgiveness and the freedom that truth delivers. Twig's mother is an intriguing character that you'll love to hate and Frank is Twig's salvation and pillar. If you like a book where the characters are multi-dimensional and undergo not only the trials of life, but internal journeys of discovery and redemption, this is a must-read.
December 29, 2013
The concept of this book was interesting, has some really good reviews and was my kind of book..or so I thought; a young girl growing up in 50s Southern America and all the bad things that happen to her.....BUT, there was just no real depth of emotion for me, it didn`t feel raw and I felt no connection to the protaganist, as much as I wanted to.
January 12, 2012
I enjoyed this book. Fast reading.
February 17, 2012
I was intrigued by the cover of this book. I've never read any of Deborah Epperson's books before but was delighted with this one. I highly recommend it!
March 26, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and full of very interesting plot twists. I couldn't put it down.
April 14, 2012
I had a hard time putting this book down. The strength and courage of Twig "Becky" was remarkable. From poor little girl to grown women her story is one not to miss.
June 6, 2018
Dragged out
While a good story, I wasn't even halfway through and I felt like I had been reading forever. It felt like the book was dragged out. But in saying that, I just had to know what was going on in that immensely screwed up family.
While a good story, I wasn't even halfway through and I felt like I had been reading forever. It felt like the book was dragged out. But in saying that, I just had to know what was going on in that immensely screwed up family.
April 28, 2012
I'm kind of torn about how I want to rate this book. I tend to be very black and white, so I can't give it 3 stars because, well, I didn't "like it". Two stars seems appropriate because this book really was just okay.
I was initially drawn into the book from the beginning because I really like the character of Twig. However, as terrible thing after terrible thing happens to her, you see her personality shift and she starts to become jaded. She narrates on her life and appears to be a put together individual, yet does the dumbest things ever and has the dumbest reactions ever to her life. A lot of reviews talk about how "great" Becky is because she survives so many horrible things in her life, but I feel there is more to this book than that. "Becky" survives because Deborah Epperson wrote her to survive. However, Epperson really, really, REALLY went overboard with the atrocities that happened in Becky's life. I think there are at least five just-give-up worthy moments in the book where the average person would have forsaken their pride and said "to hell with this". Reading this book felt kind of like standing in a tidal wave pool: wave after relentless wave comes crashing down on you yet you continue to stand there and think "maybe it's over?". I don't know what to think. I liked the book, yet every time something new and awful happened, I thought "Did she really just go there?" How much can one protagonist survive? Not to mention, the entire relationship with Frank throughout the entire book is just bizarre.
I think the reason I didn't like this book really boiled down to the fact that this just isn't my cup of tea. Coming of age novels are one thing but this just seemed masochistic. Even as Becky triumphs over these weird occurrences in her life, I didn't find myself rooting for her. She doesn't excel at anything... she merely survives. I guess that may have been the point Epperson was going for, but I just didn't get it.
I was initially drawn into the book from the beginning because I really like the character of Twig. However, as terrible thing after terrible thing happens to her, you see her personality shift and she starts to become jaded. She narrates on her life and appears to be a put together individual, yet does the dumbest things ever and has the dumbest reactions ever to her life. A lot of reviews talk about how "great" Becky is because she survives so many horrible things in her life, but I feel there is more to this book than that. "Becky" survives because Deborah Epperson wrote her to survive. However, Epperson really, really, REALLY went overboard with the atrocities that happened in Becky's life. I think there are at least five just-give-up worthy moments in the book where the average person would have forsaken their pride and said "to hell with this". Reading this book felt kind of like standing in a tidal wave pool: wave after relentless wave comes crashing down on you yet you continue to stand there and think "maybe it's over?". I don't know what to think. I liked the book, yet every time something new and awful happened, I thought "Did she really just go there?" How much can one protagonist survive? Not to mention, the entire relationship with Frank throughout the entire book is just bizarre.
I think the reason I didn't like this book really boiled down to the fact that this just isn't my cup of tea. Coming of age novels are one thing but this just seemed masochistic. Even as Becky triumphs over these weird occurrences in her life, I didn't find myself rooting for her. She doesn't excel at anything... she merely survives. I guess that may have been the point Epperson was going for, but I just didn't get it.
July 2, 2012
This was a beautiful novel, possibly one of the most genuine voices I've ever read.
Only a really good book can give off that feeling of "place". Each time you open the book you go back to the exact same time, the same place, the same people. You belong in that world - it's like a feeling of 'being', like home. This is one of those really good books.
We meet Twig at age 13, just months after her father dies. Her mother remarries within 3 months of his death, giving Twig a new stepfather and a stepbrother a few years older than her. Her stepbrother, Donald, is a real GEM (NOT). He's the type of person who exists off the energy of the suffering of others'. HOwever, Frank, the new stepfather is soon to become Twig's very good friend and protector. Mom is controlling, strong willed & has a mean streak. She is extremely abusive to Twig, both mentally and physically. At times I wanted to rush in and save Twig from her poor lonely and beaten down life. Everything she ever wanted in her life is stolen from her by her mother. And later, all she has left is taken by Donald.
It got to a point where I wasn't going to be able to take much more horrendous stuff piling up on this poor girl. But then, things really start to take a turn and though it's not a perfect ending, it's definitely satisfying.
I would not only recommend, but URGE others to read this lovely coming of age story. It's made it on to my favorite list. Without question, this is a five star book all the way!
Only a really good book can give off that feeling of "place". Each time you open the book you go back to the exact same time, the same place, the same people. You belong in that world - it's like a feeling of 'being', like home. This is one of those really good books.
We meet Twig at age 13, just months after her father dies. Her mother remarries within 3 months of his death, giving Twig a new stepfather and a stepbrother a few years older than her. Her stepbrother, Donald, is a real GEM (NOT). He's the type of person who exists off the energy of the suffering of others'. HOwever, Frank, the new stepfather is soon to become Twig's very good friend and protector. Mom is controlling, strong willed & has a mean streak. She is extremely abusive to Twig, both mentally and physically. At times I wanted to rush in and save Twig from her poor lonely and beaten down life. Everything she ever wanted in her life is stolen from her by her mother. And later, all she has left is taken by Donald.
It got to a point where I wasn't going to be able to take much more horrendous stuff piling up on this poor girl. But then, things really start to take a turn and though it's not a perfect ending, it's definitely satisfying.
I would not only recommend, but URGE others to read this lovely coming of age story. It's made it on to my favorite list. Without question, this is a five star book all the way!
December 28, 2012
**MINOR SPOILERS** **YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED***
I downloaded this when it was free the other day and was not sure what to expect. However, I ended up liking the book quite a bit. It *is* mostly a depressing story, with the poor narrator, Rebecca, suffering a number of hardships during the years that the book covers (from when she's 13 to when she's 21 if I remember correctly). Her father dies and her mother remarries a man who will become a big influence in Rebecca's life. A positive influence, which is something she desperately needs as her mother is abusive and needy and largely incapable of caring for a child. Watching the mother/daughter relationship develop to a place where Rebecca can finally make her own decisions and live her own life was interesting.
The other thing that I want to mention about this book is that, despite it being self-published, the writing is quite good. Most of the self-published books I read have grammar, punctuation, and basic writing problems. Not so with this book! The writing was nicely done, not overwritten or purple prose, and I quickly lost myself in the story. So bonus points.
Why only four stars? I thought that some of the events didn't quite ring true to me, particularly the part about Rebecca being stuck in a mental hospital for the length of time that she was.
Overall, though, I can easily recommend this book as long as serious domestic violence and strife are something that a reader doesn't have a problem reading about.
I downloaded this when it was free the other day and was not sure what to expect. However, I ended up liking the book quite a bit. It *is* mostly a depressing story, with the poor narrator, Rebecca, suffering a number of hardships during the years that the book covers (from when she's 13 to when she's 21 if I remember correctly). Her father dies and her mother remarries a man who will become a big influence in Rebecca's life. A positive influence, which is something she desperately needs as her mother is abusive and needy and largely incapable of caring for a child. Watching the mother/daughter relationship develop to a place where Rebecca can finally make her own decisions and live her own life was interesting.
The other thing that I want to mention about this book is that, despite it being self-published, the writing is quite good. Most of the self-published books I read have grammar, punctuation, and basic writing problems. Not so with this book! The writing was nicely done, not overwritten or purple prose, and I quickly lost myself in the story. So bonus points.
Why only four stars? I thought that some of the events didn't quite ring true to me, particularly the part about Rebecca being stuck in a mental hospital for the length of time that she was.
Overall, though, I can easily recommend this book as long as serious domestic violence and strife are something that a reader doesn't have a problem reading about.
Read
March 5, 2012I will start by saying, I am still not sure how I feel about the story. I could not stop reading it, it kept my interest even though I was not completely comfortable with the premise.
The book was well written, there were a couple spots that the timeline was a little confusing, but it was still good.
I believe any book that makes you think or wonder is a great book.
I has a couple girlfriends get this to get their opinion.
There is not graphic detail, but there is severe abuse, and rape to Becky. The story and rape both start at age 13. I tell you this because it is on first page of book so does not seem like a spoiler and because not everyone is comfortable with this story line.
I enjoyed it and found it to be thought provoking. If you are ok with storyline I would definitely get it .
The book was well written, there were a couple spots that the timeline was a little confusing, but it was still good.
I believe any book that makes you think or wonder is a great book.
I has a couple girlfriends get this to get their opinion.
There is not graphic detail, but there is severe abuse, and rape to Becky. The story and rape both start at age 13. I tell you this because it is on first page of book so does not seem like a spoiler and because not everyone is comfortable with this story line.
I enjoyed it and found it to be thought provoking. If you are ok with storyline I would definitely get it .
October 4, 2011
I know Deborah and got a preview copy of her book before it was for sale. I loved the authentic flavor of the Georgia setting in the 1960's esp. the dialogue that takes place. The theme is definitely an adult theme of abuse, but Becky "Twig" gets through a rough time with her "Picker" mother with humor and cunning.
The relationship between the step-father and Becky may disturb some readers, but I loved their story together--it brings another layer to the tension already between Becky and Helen, her mother. Becky's growth through her relationship with Frank gave me a better understanding of Becky, her mom Helen and the events that all keep you turning the page.
The relationship between the step-father and Becky may disturb some readers, but I loved their story together--it brings another layer to the tension already between Becky and Helen, her mother. Becky's growth through her relationship with Frank gave me a better understanding of Becky, her mom Helen and the events that all keep you turning the page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2012
It was hard for me to figure out how I felt about this book. On the one hand, I was very into it and it was hard to put down. However, so many awful things happen to Becky throughout the book that I felt bad for liking it. Rape, incest, child abuse, mental institutions, abortion...I'm not sure there was an awful topic that wasn't part of Becky's life. But she was a likable character and you just couldn't help rooting for her and hoping that her life would turn around.
I don't want to spoil the ending and how things go for Becky, but I definitely recommend Breaking Twig. Just be prepared to weather some seriously disturbing and difficult subjects. I think it's worth it though.
I don't want to spoil the ending and how things go for Becky, but I definitely recommend Breaking Twig. Just be prepared to weather some seriously disturbing and difficult subjects. I think it's worth it though.
January 26, 2012
I picked this book for 2 reasons, 1 was b/c it was free on my kindle and two the cover and title were intriging. (i know, i know your not supposed to judge a book by its cover...) I really actually enjoyed the book. The had ups and downs and twists and turns, just when you think things are going to work out for the main character another wrench is thrown into the scenario. It is hard to imagine someone suffering so much as the main character did. There also were some very unexpected turn of events from time to time too. Overall I'm glad i judged this book by its cover .........
February 1, 2012
Oh my. This book was great, the start of it was very hard for me. I hated how terrible the mom was to the main character Becky Leigh. (I love that the name of the girl was Becky Leigh...that IS my name!)
After I had a talk "with myself", I plunged in and was taken away into a very messed up home life of this girl. Even throughout her early adult life, her mom was able to minpulate anyone/everyone. So sad how we can let people do that.
After I had a talk "with myself", I plunged in and was taken away into a very messed up home life of this girl. Even throughout her early adult life, her mom was able to minpulate anyone/everyone. So sad how we can let people do that.
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