Astonished

By: Beverly Donofrio

Narrated by: Janet Donofrio

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

A best-selling memoirist bravely tells the story of the night evil paid her a visit - and how prayer chased evil away

Beverly Donofrio had already lived two lives, first as a scrappy young mother on the streets of the East Village and later as the best-selling author of Riding in Cars with Boys. By the time she reached her 50s, she thought she had seen it all.

Now, even though she was living in a vibrant, picturesque Mexican town, where she practiced yoga, drank margaritas in her backyard, and took salsa lessons, she felt lost and was searching for monasteries to visit. The religious practice that had nourished her for several years had faded. She missed God. Then one night she woke to find a rapist holding a knife to her throat. So begins the memoir that charts Donofrio’s journey - a long and twisting road through denial, mourning, anger, vulnerability, and retreat at five very different monasteries.

Told through Donofrio’s brutally honest, often ribald, emotionally unsparing voice, Astonished is a tender and hopeful narrative of healing and learning to love life again.

©2013 Beverly Donofrio (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Reading Donofrio’s memoir, Astonished, is, in itself, an astonishing experience. She grapples with her faith in ways and in words that startle, move, mesmerize, wrench, enliven, and thrill the reader. It is a narrative composed of brutal honesty, tenderness, and an aching love for God. I could not put it down.” (Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees)

“The brutally honest author of Riding in Cars with Boys reveals how a terrifying brush with a rapist sparked her spirituality and set her on a journey of recovery paved with prayer.” (O Magazine)

“A smart, funny memoir about a woman seeking answers to some very hard questions.... Donofrio’s intelligent and down-to-earth delivery gives [Astonished] a meditative feel. For her, 'bringing God into the picture makes me pay closer attention’. Her writing does the same thing for us. Her bravery helps. She holds nothing back.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

Compelling Tho Churchy Memoir of a Rape Victim

The author relates her struggle for peace after a sexual assault. While her chosen path is devote Catholicism, she raises pressing arguments against the existence of a God who allows evil. The book was way too religious for this reader, but worth the seven hours listen time cuz there is lots of secular and family-dynamics content. Fantastic narration by the author's sister gives the story an especially intimate feel.

The next chapter in Beverly's Life...

Astonished is an enjoyable listen.  Having listened to Beverly's previous two audiobooks, I was looking forward to this next chapter in her life.  Astonished didn't disappoint.  I am a Catholic, Pro-life and vote my faith, therefor, I don't share some of Beverly's beliefs, but no matter.  One doesn't have to share her views to enjoy this book.  I applaud her ability to turn her faith to help carry a heavy cross no one should have to bear.  For only with God is this truly possible, I think.  Beverly doesn't wait in the shadows for life to happen.  She travels down many different paths. Opens closed doors and seeks guidance and direction in her search for life. Most of us wake, go to work, come home, sleep and do it all over again the next day.  Not Bev. So her life's journey makes for an interesting read. Beverly's sister did a beautiful job of bringing her printed words to life. Download this audiobook and you will not be disappointed.