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Gorgeous Girl

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Gorgeous Girl

By: Mary K. Pershall
Narrated by: Jennifer Vuletic
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About this listen

 'The only way to comprehend this tragic story of mine is to write it.'

On the 10th of February 2017, there was a sentencing hearing for murder in the Victorian Supreme Court. The young woman in the dock, who sat quietly with her hands in her lap, had perfect skin and light-brown hair tied back as neatly as a private school prefect's. When the judge asked her to confirm her plea, the young woman answered in a clear and polite voice. 'Guilty, your Honour.'

That killer is Mary K. Pershall's beloved daughter Anna. She is twenty-eight years old, tall and beautiful, with an effervescent wit and a university degree in psychology. She also hears the voices of demons. After Anna finished uni, she just could not meet the demands of adulthood, and the voices became overwhelming. She attempted to silence them with alcohol and weed, with the abuse of her prescribed medication, and with ice. But the evil howling would not stop.

Award-winning author Mary K. Pershall brings a unique and insightful perspective to a story that is at once devastating and uplifting, and proves that a mother's love - even in its darkest hour - can shed light and provide hope to families in crisis.©2018 Mary K. Pershall (P)2018 Penguin Random House Australia Murder True Crime Crime Emotionally Gripping
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Very well written, and correct about the mental health system in this country. so sad too.

Great read

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I thought this was very insightful - this is a struggle to read only because its true. god bless mums

insight

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I read about this book in The Guardian, and having a child with a disability I thought there might be some relatable content. Oh my goodness, it was extraordinary. The writer is a gifted storyteller and weaves a clear and cogent narrative, with plenty of emotional punch. The performance by Jennifer Vuletic was superb, a true 11 out of 10.

Gut wrenching, uplifting and brilliant

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Wow, such a honest story. Highlighting the issues within our hospital and mental heath system. Easy to listen to, enthralling and heartbreaking. Excellent read

Honest

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Such a raw honest memoir of a difficult life dealing with a child with mental illness, a seeming puzzling transient myriad of them. Having worked with people inflicted with such things I could feel her exhaustion frustration and pain and also resentment and guilt for daring to want to have her own life.

Riveting

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A sad and true tale of the momentous battle dealing with mental health issues and addiction. Many of the events are relatable, thankfully for most of us, the outcome is not. A mother’s story of family anguish, for the sufferer of mental health disorders and the suffering of those who love them. Well written and brilliantly narrated. Thank you for sharing your story.

A fascinating insight

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I found this book tragic but still couldn't stop listening. The narrator was clear and though I don't usually like American voices, she was great. Highly recommended this book

A hard story but well worth a listen

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You must read this gut wrenching story. My heart goes out the Mary (and of course the victim and his family) for the horrendous outcome of what could have been avoided had the Australia healthcare system admitted her daughter Anna into long term psychiatric care.

A gut wrenching and very sad story

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Happens inside the lives of the ppl that deal with this horrible Ice & drugs in the family
Buy the book all monies goes to helping families and groups .
The author needs a medal for that

Great inside to what really

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Thank you for your very honest portrayal of raising your daughter & her struggle with her mental illness. It has inspired me to finally sort help for my own now 15 year old daughter with her mental health struggles, hopefully before they turn into something as tragic as this story. Wish me luck, you know I'm going to need it.
I hope Anna is now well & has a lovely relationship with her son, Oliver.

An honest portrayal

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