Your feedback?Reviews and comments mean the world to me.
Thank you for the lovely reviews here on the “Surviving Sue” page and on Amazon. I’m grateful for your feedback.
Synopsis
“Surviving Sue” is an eye-opening story about the fallout of keeping secrets, told from a daughter’s perspective as she navigated her mother’s mental health and addiction issues, while trying to shield and protect her disabled sister. “Surviving Sue” is about the power of storytelling to build resiliency, a guidebook for others who struggle with complex family issues.
Praise for “Surviving Sue”
…”a heart-breaking, yet somehow optimistic personal account…”
From the moment Vicki introduces us to Sue, we are captivated.Fascinated not only with Sue’s character, but how her turbulent persona ironically affects Vicki, Lisa and the others who are nearest and dearest to her.At the same time, we are mesmerized by Vicki’s strength and resilience, her dedication, and the multitude of emotions she expresses as she takes us through this heart-breaking, yet somehow optimistic personal account.This narrative is so engagingly well written and can teach us so many lessons about family – kudos to Vicki for sharing it with us.
…”a rollercoaster of laughter, love, wounding and redemption…”
The combination of humor and heartbreak in “Surviving Sue” unlocks a special chamber for reflection. Dr. Vicki Atkinson offers so many wonderful insights about what life with a complicated character like Sue brings and it’s a rollercoaster of laughter, love, wounding, and redemption.This book is a meaningful journey through the bonds of family, loving difficult people, and how we can heal intergenerationally in order to raise healthy families.
I received a wonderful review recently on Amazon and it made my week. Lindsey’s kind words lined up beautifully with my latest project as I continue promoting my book: Lindsey…if you’re reading this, thank you so much. I dunno about being exceptional, but I’m getting comfier with me…being me. Your sweet review was just the
I love questions and observations from readers. Recently I was asked about my parents’ capacity for giving – their lifelong focus on helping others, even when they had little to give other than their time. Such a question, no? I think my parents, Sue and Sonny, felt they were lucky in life. Despite the effort
Have you done any ‘textual analysis’ lately? Yup. That’s a big phrase for Word Cloud-making. Playing in the clouds…with words. In my higher ed days, creating word clouds was fun and purposeful. Presentations, teaching, leading teams and groups. There’s something invitational about a word cloud. Come closer, let’s peek. Maybe it’s the connection I make
My mom, Sue, had a compulsive need to be right. She navigated most days in search of human fault lines, similar to the geological variety. Volatile and just beneath the surface. Dangerous, hard to detect, and ever-present. Sue sought fault lines and weaknesses in others as one of her defensive maneuvers. Her contentious behavior was best
Today is my big sister, Lisa’s birthday. Now that both of our parents are gone, it’s a high holiday that we continue to celebrate, honoring Lisa. One of the most magical humans I know. Lisa wasn’t expected to thrive or survive, but she did. She has. Despite being born premature and with substantial developmental disabilities
When Wynne and I chatted recently in our podcast with Jack Canfora, his anecdote about the Beatles’ song, Eleanor Rigby, was like a lightning rod for readers and listeners. It’s an amazing story – one that I won’t recount here, but feel free to give the episode a listen if you missed it. Knowing that
I love chatting with readers and in a recent encounter, my brain was on fire with loads of terrific input, insight and observations. It’s hard to put into words, the wave of wonder that a writer feels when ‘knowingness’ is conveyed. Message received. I hear you. Even better? Those delicious moments when unexpected praise rolls
I’ve said this before…and I’ll ask for forgiveness in advance because I probably won’t stop. Reader input is the most wonderful, unexpected joy in writing. My mom’s story IS complicated, and a dear reader recently wondered if I could challenge myself to create a new graphic – one that might depict the messy ‘soup’ that
My mom, Sue, had a very challenging childhood. Her father died when she was young, and she carried just two memories of him with her. I suspect her favorite involved fishing adventures and her first ‘big catch’. The photo my grandfather snapped of his girl, Suzie, became the cover art for “Surviving Sue” – the
Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Paul McCartney Style
I grabbed your attention with the title, didn’t I? Sorry to disappoint (both of us) but I’ve never met Sir Paul and yet…like zillions of other fans, it’s never diminished my adoration. My 12-year-old self knew an anthem when she heard one. The Paul McCartney and Wings Album, “Band on the Run” debuted in December
Surviving Sue captured and held my attention from the first page to the last. It is reminiscent of Angela’s Ashes and The Glass Castle, both engaging stories of overcoming told with humor, grace, wisdom, and forgiveness. Sue’s story is an exceptionally heart-rending and well-written tale of one woman’s journey through life as the daughter of a seriously dysfunctional mother and the sister of a developmentally disabled older sibling. It offers a powerful and enlightening beacon of hope to others who have experienced relatable life circumstances. Perhaps one day the author will write a book telling how she survived a life of trials and tribulations with her own sanity and sense of humor intact. This book gets a five-star rating from this reader.
Julia Preston
Author: Voices: Who’s in Charge of the Committee in my Head?
Wow. Humbled. Honored. I can’t wait to send this off to my publisher, Julia. Your heartfelt endorsement means more to me than I can put into words. I’m grateful for your friendship and support.
❤️❤️❤️
Surviving Sue is a compelling book that you will not be able to put down. Vicki takes you through the adventures/misadventures with her mother, Sue, her father, Sonny and sister, Lisa, sometimes funny sometimes painful. Reliving her experiences with Sue and the 12+ moves the family had and skillfully describing the family so that you feel like you know them and are present as a bystander.
Knowing Vicki through work and becoming her friend from my first day at the college, I was privy to Sue’s later life and the effect it had on Vicki and saw her persevere. I wondered why she called her mother by Sue and not Mom, read the book and you will understand why.
I read your book last week and it invoked a world of emotions for me. Your writing was brilliant.
Your experiences shocked and saddened me but your survival story was uplifting (I loved the Sue or Lucy episodes). The personal strength both you and Lisa found over the years was amazing. I’m so happy Lisa had you and that you had Paul and Delaney and a support system.
I have come across many adults our age who also grew up in a dysfunctional home as we did. I hope your story resonates with many of them. Good luck at your book launch and I can’t wait to read your next book!
Family relationships can be complex in any family, but Vicki’s experience is exceptional. From page 1 straight to the end, Vicki’s storytelling is riveting and impactful. The book is a quick read because it’s hard to put down. I went through so many emotions reading Surviving Sue that it’s difficult to characterize it as any “one thing”. Perhaps the best word is – powerful.
As someone who has experienced generational trauma I believed, when I picked up the book and started reading, that I might have an understanding of what this story was about to reveal. I was so very wrong. Vicki shares a thorough backstory that brings a wealth of insight into how young Sue became the adult Sue who intentionally and willfully set out to control, demean and yes even jeopardize the physical and emotional lives of her two daughters. The details shared in Sue’s story are rich with nuance, the story at times full of laughter, yet flipping the page there comes wrenching heartbreak and horror. I found myself using the word “surreal” over and over as I moved through each chapter, dumbfounded at what Sue would attempt next in her ultimate bid for control. Through sheer will, and a bond of pure love, both Vicki and Lisa found a way to overcome the force that was Sue with increasing resilience. Even now, 8 years after Sue’s death, I believe she is still very much a presence in the lives of Vicki and her sister. They continue to move forward though with a firm and positive approach as they guide each other still, down the path of Surviving Sue.
Deb Tecca
Contributing Writer, The Heart of The Matter Blog
Thank you seems so insufficient, Deb. Your thoughtful review and ability to connect with the deep undercurrents in Sue’s story…my story about my life with her and the overarching need to protect Lisa is a gift I’ll treasure forever. I feel seen and heard and I’m grateful to you for your willingness to read despite the heaviness of all that was unpacked. Thank you…thank you. 💗
I couldn’t put “Surviving Sue” down. I found the story to be surreal at times, both the tension that followed Sue at every turn and her hurtful comments. Despite it all, I also couldn’t help but laugh at the craziness of some of the stories along the way. My biggest takeaway was the powerful way that Vicki persevered; attempted to keep family harmony, fought to see the positive; and advocated for and supported her sister. Vicki’s writing is strong and uplifting. Her writing is on par with some of the most touching memoirs in recent memory. You experience the journey firsthand and you feel what she’s feeling. There are so many moments where you want to look away, but can’t. I’m amazed though that from this craziness, comes such optimism and positivity. I took away much from the story that has helped me process my own experiences and I know that others will too. I can’t recommend Surviving Sue enough. It’s an amazing read!
Victoria Ponders 
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