In Every Moment Before This One, Raquel McCloud's debut collection of poetry and prose, she bravely confronts the realities of trauma and the enduring power of resilience. Drawing on personal experience and scholarly insight, McCloud offers a deeply relatable exploration of healing and hope. Divided into sections on trauma and resilience, the book acknowledges the author's own significant history with adversity (an ACE score of 9), but focuses primarily on the journey toward thriving, not just surviving. While sharing intensely personal accounts of sexual abuse, mental abuse, addiction, and other difficult experiences (trigger warnings apply), McCloud ultimately emphasizes the possibility of joy and a life beyond trauma. This is a book for readers seeking connection, inspiration, and a path towards healing.
Review Every Moment Before This One
Reading Raquel McCloud's Every Moment Before This One felt like finding a kindred spirit in the midst of a sometimes lonely journey. The book isn't just a collection of poetry and prose; it's a lifeline, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. McCloud's honesty is breathtaking; she doesn't shy away from the brutal realities of trauma, detailing experiences that are deeply personal and profoundly affecting. But this isn't a book mired in despair. Far from it.
While the initial sections honestly confront the darkness of trauma – sexual abuse, mental abuse, addiction, and loss are all addressed with unflinching clarity – it's the sheer volume of resilience that truly captivated me. The book's structure, intentionally dedicating the majority of its pages to resilience, is a masterful stroke. It's a reflection of McCloud's own healing journey and a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with their own past. The balance is perfect; acknowledging the pain without dwelling on it, instead focusing on the process of healing and growth.
What struck me most was the accessibility of the writing. The poems and prose are both powerful and surprisingly easy to read, even while confronting difficult subjects. McCloud's voice is conversational, intimate, and empathetic. It feels like she's sitting beside you, sharing her story not just to be heard, but to offer solace and understanding. This is a book that begs to be journaled in, highlighted, underlined – a testament to its interactive and deeply personal nature. It invites readers not just to passively consume the words, but to actively engage with them, to find resonance with their own experiences, and to begin their own journey towards healing.
The strength of the book lies in its multifaceted approach. It's not just a narrative of suffering; it's a practical guide, offering encouragement and inspiration. McCloud doesn't just share her story; she shares strategies for moving forward, for finding joy amidst the pain, and for ultimately thriving instead of merely surviving. The inclusion of trigger warnings is both responsible and considerate, allowing readers to approach the material with awareness and self-care.
This book resonated with me on so many levels, not just because of the shared experiences of trauma but because of the profound hope that permeates its pages. McCloud’s writing is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, that resilience is not a destination but a continuous process, and that even in the darkest of times, there is always light to be found. It's a book I will return to often, not just for comfort and inspiration but as a testament to the incredible strength of the human spirit. It's a must-read for anyone who has experienced trauma, for those who love them, and for anyone who wants to understand the transformative power of resilience. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Information
- Dimensions: 5 x 0.49 x 8 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 214
- Publication date: 2024
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