For One More Day

Author Denise Moon has finally published her autobiographical story, “For One More Day,” Its release has been long awaited by Moon. Indeed, she has been writing the book all of her life, since the first memory of her young childhood. But only now, in her fifties, has she found the courage to do so.

Moon’s central character, Sarah (Moon), has endured an unbelievable life of sexual, physical and mental abuse, dissociation and dysfunction and depression and alcoholism. The devastation of such an existence will be unfathomable and simply too harsh for some readers. Others will give up on Sarah and her poor life choices and set the book aside out of frustration, the same frustration shared by so many people who don’t understand the subject of abuse and, as a result place the blame squarely on the victim. But “For One More Day” offers a clear and irrefutable confirmation of the repetitive cycle of behavior and poor choices among those who have been abused. And blame lies everywhere, including those among us who are unwilling to make the time and the effort to understand and get involved in dealing with this horrific problem. It is the true stories of victims like Denise Moon which are the most important resource for those who want to understand.

I have researched this subject and reviewed four other true stories of abuse victims in the last eighteen months. My initial reaction to this book, despite my knowledge of the problem, was the same as that which I had initially to the other stories that I read for review – how could a person allow this to go on for so long? It is a question Sarah asks herself in this book, but as with most victims, she seemed unable to ever really fully answer the question. But one thing is certain; they either find an answer within themselves that ultimately empowers them to break free, or they suffer abuse and all of its devastation their whole life.

Moon is a sensitive, heartfelt storyteller who gently paints a delicately detailed montage of Sarah’s life. (One irritation for me as a reader though was what I consider an inordinate number of misspelled words.)  As her story progresses, it becomes increasingly engaging as Sarah begins to make small strides in gaining her self-respect. But typically, she continues the cycle of poor choices, particularly with regard to her relationships with men that knock her backwards, physically and mentally. Moon captures the extreme emotional swings that become part of the fabric of Sarah’s life and which are in most cases, predictable by everyone but Sarah.

In the end, “For One More Day” is hopeful and heartening. Sarah ultimately realizes that “Despite her challenging life, she remained alive, at least for one more day.” For the reader, it is hopefully enlightening and will at the least motivate them to be more aware of the signs of abuse in themselves and others. In her dedication Denise Moon writes, “It is my hope that sharing my story helps prevent similar stories from being written.” I believe that it will for those who take time to read it “For One More Day.”


For One More Day
Denise Moon
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432771935
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (11/11)