BOOK REVIEW
The thought of a child dying is every parent’s worst nightmare and I believe, like many, I would want to cease to exist.
But for a child to die at the hands of a parent is beyond horrific.
On January 4, 2013 Greg Anderson murdered his 11-year-old son Luke Batty at a cricket field, hitting him over the head with a cricket bat before getting out a knife and stabbing him.
His mother, devastated and plagued with the worst kind of grief, forced herself to face the world and she became one of the most effective campaigners raising awareness against domestic violence and an advocate for social change.
Rosie Batty’s first book, A Mother’s Story, was published in 2016.
In this poignant memoir she talked of the years she suffered violence at the hands of her partner, having intervention and custody orders put in place in an effort to protect herself and her son.
She has since been an outspoken and dynamic crusader, winning hearts and minds all over Australia with her compassion, courage, grace and forgiveness.
In January 2015 Rosie Batty was named Australian of the Year.
The first book was inspiring, heartfelt and profoundly moving, with a percentage of royalties from sales going to the Luke Batty Foundation.
This new book, Hope, chronicles the accidental campaigner’s life over the decade since Luke’s murder.
For her it has been a momentous decade of irredeemable loss, personal reconstruction, intense grief and relentless pain, but also of inspiring new friendships, resilience and courage in the face of adversity.
Hope is not just an addition to her previous memoir.
It not only narrates the heartbreaking personal tragedy of losing Luke to domestic violence but also serves as a powerful call to action for societal change.
Batty shares intimate details of her life, from her early experiences as a mother to her struggles in an abusive relationship with Luke’s father.
She paints a vivid picture of the complexities of domestic violence and its devastating impact on families.
Batty’s honesty and vulnerability make her story incredibly compelling and relatable.
What sets Hope apart is Batty’s unwavering determination to turn her personal tragedy into a catalyst for change.
She has become a vocal advocate for victims of domestic violence, tirelessly campaigning for awareness, prevention and support services.
Her courage in speaking out against the societal norms that perpetuate violence against women is both inspiring and empowering.
Truth and vulnerability make this book a must-read for anyone enthusiastic about social justice and human rights.
Julie Chessman