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Why Daddy,
Why
by Emelia Dion Hardy
 UK
Price £13.99 $15.95
in US
 Why
Daddy, Why?
by Emelia
J Hardy
US price: $15.95
Format: Paperback
Size: 6 x 9
Pages: 276
ISBN: 0-595-21498-3
Publication Date: Jan-2002
More reviews of Why Daddy, Why? by Emelia Hardy:
Page turner
Reviewer: Sarah from North Carolina
This book is total
page turner!
I couldn't put it down. I was totally drawn into the book as if I were
experiencing the events taking place. It took me two days to finish it
but it was worth it. At many points in the book I had to stop and run to
the bathroom for the tissues. I will continue to read it over and over
again. This is something I will never get tired of. It's so unreal how a
family or anyone could go through so much abuse. I recommend this book
to anyone to read. I had two of my friends read this book and they were
awed by this powerful, tear-jerking story. This is an awesome book.
Extraordinary,
May 11, 2002
Reviewer: Kristy from North Carolina
From the minute I started reading this, I couldn't seem to put it down.
It was completely amazing! As I read, I seemed to be pulled into the
life of the author. I was so moved by this story of cruelty and abuse;
but even more by the fact that she always seemed to exchange hate for
love even in the most difficult of times. The author sends a feeling of
hope to all the other people who are going through some of the same
things she went through. I was so inspired by her and her determination
to not give up in the awefullest of times. I strongly suggest this book
to everyone! I can promise you won't be disappointed; I wasn't!
Even
Kids understand this book
Reviewer: An 11-year old reader from North Carolina
This
book is very inspiring. It's amazing how just one family can go through
so much and be able to move on. It's just one obstacle after another,
tumbling into more and more bad things. There are some good things about
this book, such as, having children who will love you forever, caring
mothers, encouraging brothers, and an Elder who you can bake cookies
with. This book will take you on the emotional ride of your life,
sending you to fury, happiness, joy, fear, and bring you to tears. I
felt like I was a background person, always watching, always listening
to see what would happen. I felt proud and strong, when Irene stood up
to her abusive husband, I felt great joy when Emelia, Cecile, and Jerry
received great presents from Mr. Frank, I felt fury when the father
abused the children, or broke Emelia's beloved doll furniture. I felt
joy when Emelia's mother, Irene, escaped the hands of the abusive
father, I felt fear when the father nearly killed Irene, and I cried
when Jerry passed away. This book draws you into the world of a child
who is pleading for help from God to a grown woman who will protect her
children no matter what. After you read the first sentence, you can't
stop. I should know, I read from 7:00 PM to 10:00 AM, and I didn't set
the book down once. You really need to read this book.
" Interesting
Things You Should Know About The Author ", May 19, 2002
Reviewer: doll-bunny
(see more about me) from Dover N.H.
Hi everyone...
This is Maureen & Maury talking to you but first we want you to know
that we are characters that Emelia is using in her next book that will be
for children of all ages!
There are things about Emelia that she is kind of embarrassed to tell
you about herself and how she came to write her book "Why Daddy,
Why?..So Maury and I decided to help her tell you the reader her story..
Emelia used to have a photographic memory and could spell anything!
that's because her brain could take a picture of the word, then put it
into a file and store it in her brain. When asked how to spell the word,
all she had to do was to let her brain take it out of her file, then she
could see the word and spell it by reading off the letters that she was
looking at...She never had to learn how to spell!
One day her camera broke and not only could she not spell anymore (
except for simple words.) but had a hard time staying with her thought
without getting lost along the way. That, plus she found out that all the
words that her brain had in it's file, deleted!..
Emelia wrote "Why Daddy, Why?" because everyday while trying
to work, things from the past would torment her into tears. Finally one
day she decided that God wanted her to write a book!..
She asked God, "How can I do this? I can't even spell
anymore!" but God wasn't about to let her off that easy.
Emelia started to write in a notebook first, then each weekend she
would type up what she had. She would sit at her typewriter and pray to
God, " If you want me to write this, then you're going to have to
help me remember everything!...Oh and how God answered her prayer!...Not
only did God Bless her with remembering but He went one step further, God
helped her to feel each pain as it happened so she was able to write it
down on paper!
Emelia had to learn how to type... she also had to learn how to use a
computer when she was done writing the book....only to find out that it
would have been a lot easier to work the book on the computer. She found
out it had a "SPELL CHECK!" on it.
After the book was written, Emelia had to find someone that would be
sensitive with it...someone that could bring her through this lifetime of
pain!... She feels that God took care of that too when He connected her
with Dr.Charles H. Muller who was the one that edited her book and gave it
tender loving care.
Somewhere on the back cover of the book, it say's that this book was
written simple...You will not find any words that you can not pronounce or
understand. What you will find is the open heart of a little girl, then of
the woman she became....What you people don't know is the fact that that's
the way Emelia has to write!...simple...
This is a book that needed to be written.. It's a book that can help a
lot of people.. .She has already had people talk to her about being a
voice for them and that it took a lot of courage to write this book..
"Why Daddy, Why" was a very difficult book for Emelia to write,
very emotional and right from her heart and soul!
Yes, it took courage especially with all the handicaps that Emelia had
to deal with, but she had the # 1 Guy on her side, God!
Emelia feels that God has blessed her no end. She praises Him for
everything...She can truly relate to children and she looks forward to her
children's books to address children's hopes and fears!
Thank you for listening.
Maureen & Maury
P.S. I want to thank the readers for all their wonderful reviews
on my book.... and all the heartfelt cries...
Sincerely,
Emelia Dion Hardy.
Suffer thy children,
May 17, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from New Hampshire
I found this book to be well written-- difficult to put down. One can feel
the pain and heartache of this little girl. The scars of her childhood
that remained buried for many years and now the courage it took that
little girl as an adult to relive her childhood nightmare, to tell of the
strength, faith and courage of loving mother to trying desperately to keep
and to protect her children. How sad it was to unwittingly subject herself
and her children into the same atmosphere she grew up in. It goes to show
that faith and trust in a power much greater than we are can give us all
inner strength to love and rise above whatever life hands us.
Why Daddy Why,
May 28, 2002
Reviewer: Bonnie Dodier from USA
This book made me feel as if I was living it and seeing it at the same
time. I felt the children's pain and how scared they must have been all
the time. I couldn't put it down. This book has made me realize how great
my own childhood was and that this type of abuse goes on right here in New
Hampshire where I live. I could feel this book. After I had read the book
I still think about it. It was written so that you were part of it.
My Daughter & I have a
bond because of this book,
November 21, 2002
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Reviewer: A reader from
New Hampshire |
My daughter never has been an affectionate person. She would come over
to visit me and I always had to ask for a hug before she left for
home. My heart would ache because of it. I bought this book, Why
Daddy Why? and found myself hurting inside all the more because I
wanted my daughter to love me the way the author of this book loved
her mother. Never have I seen a bond between a mother and daughter
like this one--and I mean, never.
Even after the mother runs away during a beating that is unheard of in
this day and age. Back 40 years ago I found out it was common for men
to treat their wife that way and no one knew. This bond stayed strong
in the heart of this little girl even being sent to a convent with
nuns that abused her and her sister that was already there. I could
feel that her sister Cecile loved her sister and I could feel her pain
also.
My daughter came over one day and saw the book on my table. She asked
if she could take it and I said yes and that I was finished with it.
She came back two days later and I didn't hear her come in; the next
thing I knew she was behind me and gave me a hug. She said thank you
Mom for the way you took care of me when I was little. My daughter
told me she never realized how fortunate she was.
Now my daughter greets me with open arms because of your book Emelia.
I think this book saved my life. Although there were not many hugs for
me growing up, there was for my girl, and now she knows why! Thank You
Again Emelia
A Book Review: Why Daddy Why?
By Linda Pivin, Berlin DO, Foster Care Worker
Imagine yourself in the picturesque White Mountains. In the 1950’s and
1960’s, the city of Berlin which is located in this magnificent spot had a
population of approximately 28,000 people. Berlin, also know as a mill town
had a large amount of Canadian immigrants living there. The city was split up
into different sections depending on your nationality and culture. During this
time, several hotels and pubs lined the Main Street, as well as three movie
theaters.
The hotel Columbia owned by Gerard (Jerry) Dion was busy with many sales
representative and people passing through the city. Jerry had a wife who did
all of the hotel work and five children. Three sons and two daughters, were
there more? One daughter Emelia, remembers the days that have now long past as
if they had just happened yesterday. You will find, as you read this book,
written by Emelia Dion Hardy, that it is written through the eyes of Emelia as
a child. The horrors that befall her and her family will haunt you. People
knew what was going on in their family but there was no one willing to get
involved for fear of Jerry’s wrath.
You will see how the family lived in fear of their father and the ways they
tried to avoid him, afraid of repercussions. The only time they felt safe was
when he was gone, then and only then could they truly relax and enjoy
themselves. This did not last long enough though. Emelia wrote this book to
help herself therapeutically. She resides in the Dover, NH area today only
minutes from her mother. She and her siblings share a horrible past. When you
read this accounting of the Dion family, you realize that the system has come
a long way. You will be thankful that there is an agency like the NH Division
for Children, Youth, & Families that is available to help those who feel
that they are in a hopeless situation.
The book is available at Wonderland Book Store on Exchange Street in
Gorham, NH 03581. Gloria Sinibaldi, the owner has signed copies for sale. The
book sells for $15.95. It can also be ordered through any book store
A True Story of Courage!, November 13, 2006By M. Porter,
Richmond, RI USA
This book describes unimaginable fear, pain and intimidation that
Emelia and her family members suffered at the hands of their father.
As well as the nuns she went to live with when her mama had to leave
and her father could not, or would not care for her any longer.
A father is someone who is supposed to protect his family from all
evil. Unfortunately, not in this case. Her father physically and
emotionally abused his family for years, until the day came when
mama, after suffering her worst beating yet and was forced to seek a
better life. Some will question how a mother could leave her
children in that environment, and be so selfish as to look out for
herself before her children. I say, read the book before you pass
judgment. I call what mama did courageous and brave.
After reading Why daddy, Why I was able to contact Emelia.
Since the book was published in 2002, I wanted to ask her what
happened to some of the people she talks about in the book. I will
not tell of her responses, that's for Emelia to tell. I have had the
Honor of getting to know Emelia. She has amazing strength and
courage. She has no ill will towards her father, and in the last
page of the book she says, "I have forgiven daddy." This is
something I will probably never be able to understand. She assures
me things are better now.
To all of you who have suffered or continue to suffer as Emelia has
-- may you find the courage and the strength to move on and find a
better life.
I look forward to reading her children's book, The Adventures of
Maureen and Maury, to my kids, and I wish her all the best.
July 3rd, 2006
a review by Jessica-Lee Bowman
Many people like to read about other
people’s lives even if it’s a sad story. If
you are one of those people who enjoy books
like, A Child Called “It”, Why Daddy Why by
Emelia Dion Hardy would be a great book for
you to read. This book is similar to, A
Child Called “It”. It is about a father who
abuses a young girl and her siblings. This
book talks about losing a mother and having
to live with pain every day. I recommend
this book to many people to show how bad it
is to be abused and if you know anyone who
is getting abused to tell someone to help
them get out of that situation. This is a
true life book that states events from
Emelia’s life and the troubles her father
put her whole family through. Reading books
like this will give you a whole new
perspective on how people live and find it
is wrong to abuse other people.
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Why?
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August 14, 2006