Burned: A Memoir

by Louise Nayer

Book Overview

A single night overturns the lives of two young parents, making survival seem like the most tragic of outcomes. Four decades later, their daughter, Louise Nayer, describes what was irretrievable after... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934633305
• ISBN13: 9781934633304
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Atlas & Co.
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Beyond Our Greatest Challenges Lie Our Greatest Victories

When Dorothy Nayer lights a match in the cellar of the family vacation home on the evening of July 22nd, 1954, she has no idea just how devastating an impact the consequences of such a simple act will have on her family for years to come...suddenly engulfed in a flash fire, Dorothy and her husband, Hank, will spend the rest of their lives horribly burned and disfigured, while their daughters, Anne and Louise, struggle to reconnect with them after a forced estrangement threatens to sever their family bond. Ultimately, the Nayers manage to overcome the tragedy through little more than the strength of Dorothy's willpower alone. Equally inspiring and riveting, Burned is a powerfully compelling memoir. In it, author Louise Nayer recounts not only the horror of a sudden life-changing tragedy, but also the emotional and spiritual turmoil of the ensuing years of painful recovery. Written in poignant, evocative language, Burned serves as a stark reminder that - rather than iconic, superhuman figures - true heroes are simply average, everyday people who manage to summon insuperable courage and tenacity in the face of unforeseen adversity. In so doing, Nayer's moving life story infuses the reader with a profound hope that no obstacle - regardless of how imposing it may seem - is ever too big to overcome. Rich and subtly powerful, Burned is sure to resonate deep within readers of all ages and backgrounds. A highly recommended, supremely encouraging read. Cary Merriman Apex Reviews

Viscerally Honest & Visually Descriptive--Fast Paced

Dear Louise: Burned, is the most moving, visually descriptive, and viscerally honest books I've ever read. I actually finished it within a three-day period, a rarity for me because I'm so busy. I was pulling for your parents, you and Anne all the way through. I deeply admired the courage and determination you all showed--especially your mother. One irony is that the same head-strongness that sent your mother down to the cellar was even more important in pulling her through the long crisis, and giving her the strength to kick your father into gear when he started lagging. The outpouring of respect and support for your parents moved me to tears as much as, or more so than the tragedy. I believe that of all the gifts humans have, the most valuable one is that which allows us to feel for each other as if they were part of us. This book is a classic of human triumph over incomprehensible adversity. It is the ultimate in self-sacrifice and inspiration. And it took tremendous courage, on your part, to write Burned. The following link refers to Stemcell research, which could arguably be important in helping alleviate the suffering incurred by burn victims, and speeding their recovery. New Perspectives on Human Embryonic Stemcell Research: What you Need to Know about the Legal, Moral & Ethical Issues Thanks for lighting up a corner of my life. Bob

A story of resilience

This is an incredible account of two sisters, Louise and Annie, whose worlds morph from fairy tale to tragedy as a result of a single, life-changing event. That their lives will change irrevocably is obvious. What is not so clear is how this event will affect each child individually as they deal with the aftermath of "the accident" and journey through childhood and ultimately motherhood. The author, Louise Nayer, chronicles this account in such poignant, beautiful, stark, and rich detail, that the reader feels as if they are, in fact, walking along beside her, experiencing the same gut-wrenching emotions she goes through in an attempt to make sense out of the inexplicable. This is a story that will resonate with anyone who is a mother, a sister, a daughter, or has survived their own personal trauma, and will instill hope in the ability of people to overcome obstacles. This is a story for everyone.

Compelling

This is a compelling true story of how two young sisters dealt with a tragic situation that changed them forever. When lighting the hot water heater in a rented beach house, their parents are severely burned. Louise Nayer artfully leads us through her limited, childhood understanding of the accident, through the long recovery process and all of the psychological repercussions of being part of a burned family. I read Burned obsessively and think often of the will power possessed by the mother and the honesty expressed by Nayer in sharing her intimate history.

A Brilliant Memoir by a Brave Poet

Louise Nayer has written a memoir that is both inspiring and riveting. When her family was torn apart by a cataclysmic accident, the author and her sister were sent to live with relatives while their parents endured excruciating treatment for their injuries. Ms. Nayer unflinchingly describes her youthful confusion and displacement and her parents' bravery. It's a story of daily heroics and the triumph of will over expectation. I devoured this book in two sittings and recommend it heartily. The prose is incandescent, and I admire Ms. Nayer's ability to describe a heart-breaking period of her life with clarity and insight. Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No report this comment