After All ... : A True Story

A friend recommended this book. No one should have to go through what Maria and so many children and adults do today. Mrs. Trautman shared herself in this book. She shared the trauma of being neglected and abused as a child, the horror of being forced to have sex, and the challenges she faced. She shared how God was with her, to give her strength, love and support especially during the moments she shouldn't have had to face as a child, teenager and adult.Near the end of the book one paragraph stood out to me...Mrs. Trautman wrote..."What is it with reckless older men who take advantage of an innocent child or frightened girl? They hold nothing in their hands, but perversion, selfishness, ego and lack of another human being.Thank you Mrs. Trautman for sharing your story with us!

Maria experienced (over and over again) things that nobody, especially a child, should ever have to endure. The first half was as depressing as anything I've ever read, possibly because I've been through a similar childhood. Maria had it much worse than me; I know and appreciate her very capable ways of coping strategies. There is no joy or relief greater than finally finding love and peace.Maria is a good story teller. She brings the reader into her tale in the first chapter and keeps him there through the very happy ending. There are places where I gasped out loud at the events she was enduring. Several times I had to put the book aside and think about where she was and how absolutely miserable her life was.As all good stories have a happy ending, this one does as well. What a treat to see the tangled web begin to come apart and daylight begin to enter her life. She finds peace, love, and happiness. The discovery of her rapist father's grave was to find ultimate closure. Read this book.

A friend suggested I read “After All” by Maria Trautman after raving about it. Well, am I glad she did! This book tells of horrendous child abuse where an innocent child is born as a result of rape. I found myself having to put it down many times thinking how awful this was for any child. I also felt the author had a tremendous strength where many in the same situation would just give up. As the book progressed, even though continuing to be abused by yet others besides her mother, she showed amazing courage and faith. I love how she progressed and came to forgive the very ones who destroyed her childhood and finally found happiness because of her faith and forgiving. I loved this book and highly recommend it!

This memoir is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of the imperturbable belief that life can get better. Although the beginning may be triggering for those having experienced early abandonment and abuse, Maria’s struggle and ultimate success in inventing a better life gives us hope, something desperately needed in these dark times.

Such a well written book about childhood atrocities and the determination to keep going, to survive. In the end, not only did she just survive, she flourished!This heart breaking story details abuse from the hands of many... people she trusted ... and as a child, no less. Physical, mental and psychological abuse, a true story that some people believe only happens in movies.The strength to carry on, the strength to change what was horribly wrong, and the strength to believe there was a better world for her, show her belief in love.It is a haunting story, one you must read, because it proves if you have the determination you can change your future ... no matter what you have been dealt.

The first chapters of this well written book are difficult. The poverty and abuse suffered by the author in Portugal during her childhood years is extreme. Maria conquers her impoverished beginnings to become a loved and loving woman. The book is not easy to put down and I read the first half until 2 am. Knowing the author, I am in awe of her story. It flows beautifully as she describes the slow but sure path to independence, her strength and determinationand above all, her power of forgiveness. I would definitely recommend this autobiography.

Maria Trautman's memoir is a powerful story of triumph and forgiveness after enduring a cruel childhood at the hands of her mother. Growing up impoverished in Portugal, abandoned by her mother, raised by her grandmother, only to be cast back to her mother after her grandmother's death at the age of eight.Maria is treated with such cruelty it is hard to imagine how she not only survives but thrives. Despite it all, she perseveres after emigrating to Canada. This is where she begins to process her trauma and look for answers on her long road to finding her roots and ultimately finding forgiveness.

I came across After All... A memoir, and the cover immediately made me want to read the book. So overwhelming that as a child, Maria had to endure abuse, and rejection from her mother. Her sharing her experiences, will give hope to other children who are living with abuse and pain. Thank God she experienced a loving grandma. I pray, that by writing this book, the author finds healing and forgiveness. Beautiful message of hope and love.

Great read but so shocking what a young child had to endure at the hands of an evil parent, was upsetting to read but it made her the great person she is today

This story is about a woman who suffers hugely in her life but survived it all with massive amounts of love for everyone.

Enjoy not knowing what is going to happen next

Beautifully written, very engaging. Horrifc story but makes you want to read on, willing her to succeed and gain even a little happiness.

Beautiful book really enjoyed reading it