Bruises

Kliatt, July, 2003 by Rebecca Rabinowitz

DE VRIES, Anke. Bruises, Front Street. 172p. c1995. 1-886910-09-X. $7.95. JS

This searing, clearly written novel about two kinds of child abuse is written from the alternating perspectives of two children. Michael lived briefly in America but has now returned to Holland: Judith has always lived in Holland but moves neighborhoods every few months as her mother tries to keep her fierce beatings of Judith from being discovered. Desperate to pacify her mother, Judith cares for her toddler brother (who is never beaten) and does housework, but the threat never abates. The cold emotional abuse that Michael suffered years ago from his father has had time to partially heal by the time he meets Judith, so he is able to reach out to her. She reaches back tentatively but lives her life in terror, bruised and battered on every inch of her body. Their teacher and Michael's aunt are caring and competent. but the final discovery of Judith's secret is up to Michael, and the final step of changing her life is up to Judith herself, Their friendship is flavored by an earlier friendship Michael had when h e was a small child and a neighbor gave him a teddy bear; the story is suspenseful, touching, and painful, with hope making it a real page-turner.