Wholly Unraveled

A Memoir

By: Keele Burgin

Narrated by: Keele Burgin

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Sometimes all that it takes to start over is the courage to say you will.

In Kathleen’s home, red jeans were a sin. Parties were punishable with violence. Fear was part of the daily norm. Growing up in a Catholic cult, under the unforgiving eye of her abusive father, Kathleen knew from an early age that if she were to survive, she’d have to do it on her own.

But when the time came to escape, she found herself in a damaging spiral of self-destruction. At rock bottom, and with nowhere to go, Kathleen stepped off a bus in the last place she ever thought she’d find peace: a remote and very Catholic community. Spending a year in almost complete silence, Kathleen feared this experience would prove to be just another step in her unraveling. Instead, with her demons quieted, she emerged with a fresh understanding of self, an empowering new purpose, and a sense of worthiness that she would never let be challenged again.

Wholly Unraveled is Keele Burgin’s gripping and inspiring journey of self-discovery and of finally finding her voice against nearly insurmountable odds.

©2019 Keele Burgin (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Keele Burgin is a living, breathing example of the triumph of the human spirit. The story of how she overcame the extreme abuse of her childhood is nothing short of breathtaking. Burgin shows us that light can always be found in darkness and that anything can be transformed by love.” (Jennifer Read Hawthorne, New York Times best-selling author)

“I was hooked by this story. Burgin’s writing is so vivid, giving life to scenes with a minimum of words. Brilliant.” (Dr. Jane Goodall)

Please don't let any bad reviews keep you from reading

Yes, this is a heartbreaking story but also a triumphant one. This could be MY story. My father was an untreated(they think they're "fine) bi- polar horror. A common trait is religious fanaticism and grandiose narcissism. He, too, was "God's chosen" almost up there with Jesus. I can relate to everything she went thru. Ms Burgin did a phenomenal job in this book. I really take issue with some reviewers that have criticized and even judged HER in the honesty she put into this book. Talk about victim blaming! "It was too graphic, (it offended them!)wasnt "cohesive" (???) and the "ending wasn't satisfying". The description does include warnings, they chose to ignore them, is not her fault! I wonder how many find these faults with fiction writers of crime or horror stories. We have become a sanitized society that wants life wrapped in a pretty package that doesnt make us uncomfortable. That is NOT real life. This is her story, her truth, her life shame on anyone that feels they can judge how she tells it, especially when they don't even FINISH the book.
Please excuse the rant, it is kind of personal as the story could be me. She is an amazingly strong and courageous woman to put such a hard story out for all to know. It is troubling but it also shines a light on the need for ppl to know about mental illness. It took me decades to forgive,to a point, my own father after realizing how sick he was.
The reading by the author made this even better, you could hear her pain and victory, the Acknowledgments are beautiful. She is beautiful.

Hands down the most sickening story I have EVER

It is mocking when Audible says they "hope you've enjoyed this program"! The unthinkable way in which this young woman was treated by her own family is beyond incomprehensible, Why, why, why was this allowed to go on? I made it nearly to the end of chapter 10 & could not continue! A doctor did not report a forcible rape....? A mother so shell shocked & under her husband's thumb that she did nothing? It makes me vomit! A warning should be issued to read at your own risk. If nothing else I am morally outraged and feel sincere horror for this girl. I read to escape into fantasy, not to make myself physically I'll!

WHY??

The author chose to read this to us instead of hiring a professional. She was monotone and unable to transport me into the story. I loved the premise of the story but couldn't listen to this narrative. Hopefully the author will come out with a new version featuring professional speakers.

amazingly brave memoir!!!

I am a psychotherapist, reading your brave and powerfully heartbreaking triumph story was inspirational! I have always wanted to incorporate memoir writing into my therapy work with my patients. Your story gives me the final push to begin this work with my patients ❣️

Survival Story Extraordinaire

Fortunately not many of us have such maniacs for fathers or confirmed doormats for mothers. The father, a self appointed religious authority (ha!), is especially terrible, and in for a big surprise on the other side. The book is well written and a strong reminder that parenthood is a sacred responsibility and a gift, not an excuse to abuse children in the name of God.

Easy to listen to and so hard to hear

Keele Burgin's story is heart wrenching. She truly is strong a strong woman and has been since childhood.

Revealing

This book explores truth of self in surprising ways.
Never have I cried listening to end credits.
Be prepared to be expanded…in mind & soul.

A MUST Read/Listen

Such a horrific, but authentic, soul revealing, incredible journey. I am so glad that I hung in there to the end of this memoir, as it was not easy hearing horrific details of things I also experienced in my childhood. I needed to hear this story and I am so grateful to the author.

AMAZING

One if the most riveting, powerful books I have ever read!! It makes you look into own your life and look at things in a different way.

Amazing Woman

This memoir was wholly engaging, wholly moving and wholly life altering. She is raw, holds nothing back. Her father is a monster. I could feel how conflicted she was about her family of origin. I would love to know how those relationships change over time. If they do.

I took a point off for her horrible English accent. Oh my god girl, just make the guy American!!!! Wouldn’t have changed the story a bit! Her regular reading voice is lovely.