This gripping memoir set in mid-Century New Zealand is inspirational and deeply thought provoking. It engagingly touches on pieces of New Zealand history which are woven throughout the backdrop of the author's life.
Growing up in a dysfunctional family with a disturbed mother, absent father and an abusive step-father, theauthor is indoctrinated into the beliefs and rituals of the Catholic Church.
She could easily have become another statistic of poverty and abuse, but she didn't, overcoming one negative soul destroying situation after another.
Her journey grips the reader who hangs on to see how the child will cope with each tough situation. Sometimes she uses humour to get through, other times defiance, but more often than not the author struggles with the pain and confusion of a child conditioned to believe she is worthless.
Lynette was wise for her age, and processed and worked through difficult circumstances - including the death of two siblings, with so much understanding.
The glimpses of hope offered by others who care about her is what make her determined to be happy and remain sane. These supporters enabled her to survive the abuse and neglect until finally at the age of fourteen she broke free. But her freedom isn't for long. As a naive 18 year old, Lynette finds herself trapped in marriage to an older man who is controlling and dependent. Although she does not love him, the birth of her first child leads to her salvation.
Life further opens up through books and leads to Lynette questioning her own religious beliefs - not surprising really. Her journey is shared by a number of people whom she drew strength from, and who drew strength from her. Their stories unfolding within her's.
She tells of the struggle of a man ... 'forbidden fruit' who she falls in love with. Not in an explosive way, but gently, with understanding of him - a Catholic priest.
Brian's journey to break free of the control of the church to find his own 'pot of gold at the end of the rainbow' is just as inspiring as Lynette's and leads the reader to discover a church know of, but seldom spoken about.
Good choices lead to the path of inspiration and hope for every person caught up in things they have no control over. These life situations either break us or make us - as they have made Lynette. In spite of raw gut-wrenching pain she walked on and achieved a prosperous and successful life.
Be warned, plan a night of reading because you won't be able to put this memoir down until you have read about every rainbow. It is a must read for anyone needing hope for the future. Where The Rainbow Fell Down is available at Mcleods in Rotorua.
Where The Rainbow Fell Down
By Lynette Robinson
Published by the B.J. & L.M. Coker Family Trust - 2013
