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We Can't Be Friends: A True Story by [Etler, Cyndy]

We Can't Be Friends: A True Story Kindle Edition

by Cyndy Etler (Author)

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The companion to The Dead Inside, "[An] unnerving and heartrending memoir" (Publishers Weekly)

This is the story of my return to high school. This is the true story of how I didn't die.

High school sucks for a lot of people. High school extra sucks when you believe, deep in your soul, that every kid in the school is out to get you. I wasn't popular before I got locked up in Straight Inc., the notorious "tough love" program for troubled teens. So it's not like I was walking around thinking everyone liked me.

But when you're psychologically beaten for sixteen months, you start to absorb the lessons. The lessons in Straight were: You are evil. Your peers are evil. Everything is evil except Straight, Inc.

Before long, you're a true believer.

And when you're finally released, sent back into the world, you crave safety. Crave being back in the warehouse. And if you can't be there, you'd rather be dead.

Length: 306 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Page Flip: Enabled	Language: English

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"Etler's gutsy present-tense narration of her feelings of insecurity and isolation is interwoven with the sublime moments of joy she experiences in music, in writing, and in her relationships; her prose dazzles with infectious verve. A powerful story of a survivor whose irrepressible personality shines throughout even her darkest moments.
" - Kirkus

"This is a gritty, hard-hitting, and, for many readers, unfortunately necessary exploration of what's really behind the lures of self-destructive behaviors, and what real recovery is and isn't.
" - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Product Description

The companion to The Dead Inside, "[An] unnerving and heartrending memoir" (Publishers Weekly)

This is the story of my return to high school. This is the true story of how I didn't die.

But when you're psychologically beaten for sixteen months, you start to absorb the lessons. The lessons in Straight were: You are evil. Your peers are evil. Everything is evil except Straight, Inc.

Before long, you're a true believer.

And when you're finally released, sent back into the world, you crave safety. Crave being back in the warehouse. And if you can't be there, you'd rather be dead.

Product details

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1668 KB
Print Length: 306 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1492635766
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (3 October 2017)
Sold by: Amazon Australia Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B071J95FB5
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray:

Not Enabled

Word Wise: Enabled
Screen Reader: Supported

Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Average Customer Review: 1 customer review
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #575,647 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #15 in Books > Teen & Young Adult > Personal Health > Drug & Alcohol Abuse > Social Issues
- #37 in Books > Teen & Young Adult > Personal Health > Depression & Mental Health
- #51 in Books > Teen & Young Adult > Social & Family Issues > Dating & Intimacy

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A bold and haunting story

27 October 2017

Format: Kindle Edition

A brave book. I received a free copy of this book, and did not know what to expect. It is a brutal and horrific memoir, and there are no doubt many trigger warnings attached to it. I have read through some of the reviews, and many talk about the horrific cult-like 'rehab' program. The takeaway for me was victim-blaming. This happens to Cyndy throughout - by her mother, her 'friends', her mentors, strangers. She is labelled (incorrectly), forced into rehab because her mother (who seems mentally ill) can't deal with her attempted suicide, brainwashed, and then shamed and blamed for every single thing that happens to her, including being raped repeatedly when she was a child.

This is not a story simply about survival or designed to shock. It is a critical examination of our society, and what we STILL perceive as normal and acceptable. What happened to Cyndy was in NO WAY her fault. Victim-blaming needs to end.

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Amazon.com: 12 reviews

La Contessa

For teens and parents who need a little perspective when life gets complicated

10 June 2018 - Published on Amazon.com

Verified Purchase

AMAZING book - recommend for any teen or parent going through the struggle - ANY struggle - drugs, eating disorders, social, academic, family, abuse, trauma - the author's story is at once tragic, funny, uplifting, and ultimately hopeful. If SHE got through all of this as a teen, ANYTHING is possible for us and our kids. It's an easy read as well - she gets the point across about difficult moments without pulling the reader into the darkest, scariest, most depressing moments which I really appreciate as a mom. I recommend this book because if you're looking at this book and reading my review, you know already that there are WAAAAY too many details that are currently happening in your family life that you may not be able to share with anyone. Being a parent with a teen who struggles is isolating, because every other parent you're likely to run into is a dedicated cheerleader and PR agent for letting the world know how amazing/talented/successful/funny/brilliant/well balanced their perfect child is. Trust me - they are leaving out a lot of the uglier details when they recount the semester's highlights. This book reminds me that I'm not alone in my struggle as a parent and more importantly, it lets me know that no matter how crazy and difficult things are today, it will all turn out ok. Things will get figured out. It won't always hurt as much as it does today. From social drama at school to dysfunction at home, Cyndy Etler's story is honest, funny, engaging and authentic and I can't imagine navigating my teen's current set of issues without the context, wit, hope and laughs this book provides.

One person found this helpful.

Marjorie

One of the most important books you will read.

23 October 2017 - Published on Amazon.com

Verified Purchase

Beautifully written. Cyndy Etler is a true artist with the pen. While her story is horrific and frightening, she manages to provide humor and insight into her experiences. This book is extremely important, as it gives children and teens, and especially sexual assault victims, a voice that they don't otherwise have. Hopefully parents and caretakers (teachers, administrators, etc.) will listen to her story. And you will also understand why "we can't be friends".

One person found this helpful.

Kristin Torkelsen

Good but not great

11 November 2017 - Published on Amazon.com

Verified Purchase

I read the first book and it was pretty good. This one is good but a lot of it is just 'things happening' and no real direction. I love love love books and love reading but this wasn't as awesome as I thought. First book was better. I still recommend it for closure after the first book and she is a good writer... just didn't love the book.

Bella

Horrific and brave storytelling

27 October 2017 - Published on Amazon.com

Format: Kindle Edition

One person found this helpful.

Fluffyluggage

And... she does it again!

23 April 2018 - Published on Amazon.com

Format: Kindle Edition

This book is just as good, if not better, than the author's first memoir, Dead Inside, which I highly recommend. This is the continuation of that first book, and continues the tales of her life. Both of these are true to life memoirs of the author's life, before and after being placed in a drug-treatment facility/program. This book more closely follows her life following her release from the program and her adjustment to "real life" after Straight. It's a grippingly honest and horrifyingly grabbing true story of how she survived her teen years, survived further abuse inside and out of her home, and made it through high school. God bless her soul... I'd have utterly died! This is a must-read. All kids and adults really should read this book, and families should read this together to truly understand what life can be like in the real world. This book can testify to what it CAN be Like!
I was gifted this book and have voluntarily and happily reviewed it. Opinions expressed above are mine and not influenced by the gifting of the book or any other outside situations or concerns.

Books > Teen & Young Adult > Biographies
Books > Teen & Young Adult > Personal Health > Depression & Mental Health
Books > Teen & Young Adult > Personal Health > Drug & Alcohol Abuse > Social Issues
Books > Teen & Young Adult > Social & Family Issues > Dating & Intimacy
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We Can't Be Friends: A True Story Kindle Edition

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