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  • Tears of the Silenced

  • An Amish True Crime Memoir of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Brutal Betrayal, and Ultimate Survival
  • Written by: Misty Griffin
  • Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
  • Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (231 ratings)

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Tears of the Silenced cover art

Tears of the Silenced

Written by: Misty Griffin
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's Summary

A true crime memoir: When Misty was six years old, her family started to live and dress like the Amish. Misty and her sister were kept as slaves on a mountain ranch where they were subjected to almost complete isolation, sexual abuse, and extreme physical violence. Their stepfather kept a loaded rifle by the door at all times to make sure the young girls were too terrified to try to escape. They also knew that no rescue would ever come because only a couple of people even knew they existed and did not know them well enough to care.

Amish sexual abuse: When Misty reached her teens, her parents feared she and her sister would escape and took them to an Amish community where they were adopted and became baptized members. Misty was devastated to once again find herself in a world of fear, animal cruelty, and sexual abuse. Going to the police was severely frowned upon. A few years later, Misty was sexually assaulted by the bishop. As Misty recalls, "Amish sexual abusers are only shunned by the church for six weeks, a punishment that never seems to work. After I was assaulted by the bishop I knew I had to get help and one freezing morning in early March I made a dash for a tiny police station in rural Minnesota. After reporting the bishop I left the Amish and found myself plummeted into the strange modern world with only a second-grade education and no ID or social security card. To all abuse survivors out there, please be encouraged, the cycle of abuse can be broken. Today, I am a nursing student working towards my master's degree and a child abuse awareness activist. This is my story."

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Misty E. Griffin (P)2019 Tantor

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What listeners say about Tears of the Silenced

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Somewhat disappointing

While I felt sick about what these sisters lived through, I was disappointed in some aspects of the book.
The first thing was the VERY poor editing. There was so much repetition; the book should have been 50% of its length. The second thing is the numerous anachronisms present in the book. For example, a 4 yr old knowing that her ribs were broken, the psychologist that prescribed medication for Franny, when licensed psychologists do not have prescribing privileges in the US. However, these issues should not detract from the horrendous abuse suffered by these girls.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Really well done

Very interesting and well presented. I do wish that every chapter didn't start with a quote and that the end was summerized in a more condensed fashion. I understand the need for the author to stress the importance of reporting and being heard, but it loses some of it's power being repeated over and over again.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Imperfect.. But Eye-opening

This is a frustrating book. I have no doubt whatsoever that Misty Griffin embellishes some of her testimonial (aiming for dramatic impact).. but recognize that she also holds back on some other event descriptions (not going into detail about early sexual abuse experiences, for example). It's 100% understandable, but that hint of held-back honesty leaves the book with just a whiff of inauthenticity. The narrative is also poorly structured (years and years of matter-of-fact recollections of outrageous treatment interspersed with drawn-out, heavily-dramatized specific instances) - but gets the author's message across effectively. This was a jawdroppingly dysfunctional upbringing.. normalized.

Fortunately, reader Cassandra Campbell improves the book with a truly outstanding performance. Campbell displays exemplary diction, cadence, and timing - but genuinely shines with spot-on voice-acting and tone. If given the choice between a text version of the book or this audiobook iteration, pick this one every time.

'Tears Of The Silenced' rates a reasonable 5.5 stars out of 10. As part of the 'Plus' initiative, it's a supportable download. The book is a creditable way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons. It might even be worth a Credit (should they ask for one) from any reader interested in injustice & perseverance in little-known/reclusive cultures like the Amish.

[NOTE: Inserting hallucinations and fever-dream sequences into what purports to be a true-life documentary is somewhat baffling.. but "artistic license", I guess]

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hope and bravery

Well narrated, the story of Misty is hard but should be listened to keep people eyes opened in order to report any person abuse.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

page turner

this book was filled with so much emotion. The author was magnificent in her description of her life memoirs. I highly recommend this vook.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

raised Mennonite, so many similarities

Such a tragic story, I don’t cry often from books but from the writing to the narration it just griped me.
Being raised Mennonite there’s just so many things I could relate to with Misty.
Little things like speaking German, the long boring church services, baking with community members to some triggering memories of the church covering for child abusers, supporting rumoured r*pists and child predators, the control, being told you were going to hell for not following the church it was awfully relatable.
I cried for Misty and Samantha especially as I have a 5 year old, I can’t imagine abusing my baby the way their parents did.
It was healing and I found myself rooting so much for Misty, especially as she experienced freedom and discovered the world out there.I live very nearby an Amish community in ON, Canada. Thanks for sharing your story, Misty.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping memoir, finished in one marathon reading

Thanks for shedding light on this topic. Still much work to be done on this front and I am glad you and some others have kickstarted that front! Amazingly written and so proud of you, Misty, how far you have come despite all that was stacked against you!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Horrors of what goes on behind closed doors.

Horrors against humanity. This was an amazing read. Misty and her sister went through horrific abuse growing up. Criminals hiding behind their religion and receiving little or no punishment is the worst. I applaud Misty for her bravery to stand up and her continued support she continues to give daily to others going through these atrocities.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Startling

Fantastically told…. Sad that law enforcement seems to work with the abusers, hopefully this changes as more hear that the community just forgives with little thought into the damage the abuse does to the victims and how the cycle will continue when no real punishment is given to the offender….

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Eye Opening

Thank you to the author for having the courage to write your story. I'm sorry you had to endure such abuse, with no help from authorities, the people who are supposed to serve and protect. Your story, while sad is truly inspirational. You have proven that you can accomplish anything.
I definitely recommend this book.

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