PublishedHachette, May 2023 |
ISBN9780733644870 |
FormatSoftcover, 448 pages |
Dimensions19.6cm × 12.6cm × 3cm |
'I didn't know that you're only supposed to have one personality. I didn't realise that having lots of voices in your head was abnormal. But you are protecting yourself. You are protecting your soul, and that's what I did.'
An intelligent, poised woman, Jeni Haynes sat in court and listened as the man who had abused her from birth, a man who should have been her protector, a man who tortured and terrified her, was jailed for a non-parole period of 33 years. The man was her father.
The abuse that began when Jeni was only a baby is unimaginable to most. It was physically, psychologically and emotionally sadistic and never-ending. The fact she survived may be called a miracle by some - but the reality is, it is testament to the extraordinary strength of Jeni's mind.
What saved her was the process of dissociation - Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) - a defence mechanism that saw Jeni create over 2500 separate personalities, or alters, who protected her as best they could from the trauma. This army of alters included four-year-old Symphony, teenage motorcycle-loving Muscles, elegant Linda, forthright Judas and eight-year-old Ricky.
With her army, the support of her psychiatrist Dr George Blair-West, and a police officer's belief in her, Jeni fought to create a life for herself and bring her father to justice. In a history-making ruling, Jeni's alters were empowered to give evidence in court. In speaking out, Jeni's courage would see many understand MPD for the first time.
THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS is an unforgettable memoir from a woman who refused to be silenced. Jeni Haynes is an inspiration and her bravery and determination to live is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. This is a unique and profoundly important book as it is not only a story of survival, it also includes incredible insight from Dr George Blair-West, Jeni's psychiatrist and an expert in DID.
Sas is a WAAPA graduate with 8 years experience in bookshops, specialising in Children's and Young Adult fiction. She reads fantasy when she gets the chance but you'll also find her curled up with classic literature and Silver Screen star biographies. She loves getting kids excited about new adventures and is so enthusiastic when giving recommendations that she sometimes gets tongue-tied.
Quite often, in memoirs such as these, the detail is lacking to keep the writer from being triggered.
That is not so here. Jeni wants us to know what her father did - wants us to understand the depravity she lived through so we understand extactly how the ordeal affected her and caused her mind to fragment into over 2500 alters.
Written with a clarity few people in the world posess and accompanied by needed clarification of conditions and behaviours by her psychiatrist at opportune times so we have a break from the relentless torture.
When you meet Muscles, you'll agree with him and want him to turn 18.
Jeni reminds you throughout the book that it's okay to skip sections, it's intense, and please look after yourselves. Do not read this if you're not ready to.
