Judy Byington

To say that this book was a difficult read would be putting it mildly. When I was offered a spot on the tour, after I read the synopsis, it reminded me of another multiple personality book I read years ago called "Sybil" by Flora Rheta Schreiber. The only thing similar about the two books is that both women were abused at a young age and both developed multiple personalities to cope and protect themselves from the abuse. Not to discount the trauma that Sybil suffered, I have to say that the abuse Jenny Hill was subjected to was far, far worse.

I know it really shouldn't shock me that things like this occur, and have occurred, in our society for years, but I'm still in a state of disbelief that anyone, including a child's own father, could sexually abuse a child beginning at infancy. What comes into the equation in Jenny's story is something called Satanic Ritual Abuse. Of course, we've all heard stories and accounts of the practice in the news and such, but it always seems like a horror movie. Not real. Unfortunately, it is real, or was. The level of abuse--emotional, sexual, physical--that Jenny was subjected to was horrific. Not only the horrendous abuse, but also the witnessing of the murders of animals and another child. It's a miracle that Jenny survived.

As I said, an extremely difficult read. I found myself in tears many times as I was reading. But this is an important read because we need to be aware that things like this go on in our world. It reminds us to be aware and watchful of children who may be showing signs that something is wrong. Don't just overlook it. It's also a cautionary tale for parents. Know what your children are doing and where they are going. Of course, back in the 60s, parents weren't as careful or aware of what could happen to young children, but it's still hard to believe that Jenny's mother did not think it was strange that her six year old daughter was gone all the time or that she returned home looking ravaged. That her mother was indifferent and mean to her daughter is just another layer of abuse that Jenny suffered, not to mention that she probably knew that her husband was sexually abusing Jenny, but instead of reacting and taking action, she only expressed jealousy.

Ultimately, "Twenty Two Faces" is a story of survival. Jenny did survive and went on to live a somewhat "normal" life, if it's possible after what she went through. She lived to tell her story and by doing so, she may just succeed in helping others and perhaps preventing abuse like this happening to others.
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Twenty-Two Faces is one of the best books I’ve read that adequately and eloquently expresses not only the story of its subject, the utterly courageous Jenny Hill, but of all survivors of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) and Mind Control (MC). I am one of hundreds, if not thousands, of these survivors, and this book served to give me more clarity into my own process of coping with trauma and healing from the horrific events that occurred in my own early experience. Dr. Lenore Terr states in her book, Unchained Memories (1995), that genuinely repressed memories are accompanied by “signs and symptoms.” These are very well-defined in Dr. Terr’s book, and illustrated clearly in Jenny Hill’s life events.

This book was written without guile, without any intent to manipulate, and that is clear when you read it. It tells a complex story in a simple and straightforward manner, with dignity, respect, and compassion for Jenny Hill, and for all survivors of SRA/MC.

My gratitude is profuse for Jenny’s perseverance and her will to heal, as well as for her courage in being public as a survivor and facing unfortunate criticism from both the ignorant and those with malintent. Judy Byington’s ability to extract the most poignant experiences Jenny endured and to communicate the reality of these atrocities and their effect on a human psyche and soul is profound- what a gift she has and shares in building this bridge between the wounded, the healing, and the healers.

As for the naysayers- haven’t they always left themselves out of history, by their very mundane denial? The Lord shines his light on those who serve him, and the particular lamp of this survivor (and the author that brings her story to light) burns brightly with compassion and love.… (plus d'informations)