Los Angeles Journal


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2008-05-01

by Carla Ledbetter

Brenda Youngerman's 'Public Lies'

Summary

Writing about the unthinkable

Article

Brenda Youngerman. OutskirtsPress, Inc. 2007. $15.95 (278p) ISBN 978-1-4327-1296-9 (Paperback)

Open any newspaper today and you will find informational articles about bitter custody battles for children, pets, and alimony. Public Lies tells the story of one woman who, when told by her abusive, drug-using husband that he’ll take away her kids, makes a fateful decision to leave town and takes her children with her.

With the help of family, Nancy Cooper tries to make a new life, one based on new names, new surroundings. However, she soon grows tired of looking over her shoulder for her husband, and her children’s questions regarding their father lead her to the decision to return to her former home, divorce her husband and sue for custody of their two children.

The unthinkable happens, and Nancy loses custody to her husband. Somehow, amid all the anguish, she finds the courage to fight for her children’s future.

Public Lies is an unusual read, and gives readers a taste of the horrors parents go through while trying to secure a future for their children — especially one that doesn’t include an abusive spouse.