A young boy and his father encounter immense challenges as they struggle to find love and acceptance in an unforgiving world.
A young boy and his father encounter immense challenges as they struggle to find love and acceptance in an unforgiving world. Abandoned by his own mother, rejected by all but his loving father, Billy B is thrust into a silent hell alone, branded a freak and a misfit. Billy becomes the ultimate life spectator in a game of survival. Who can he count on to save him, when all seems lost?
Professional Reviews
A captivating story for adult readers
The author recounts a true story of the struggles of a single dad, as seen through the eyes of several different characters, including the little son (Billy), the ex-wife (Carly) and an ex-lover (Stella). Cindy Vine is a an excellent story-teller and once you start reading "The Case of Billy B," you will not be able to put down the book until you finish it. Occasionally, I had a hard time believing that some of the events could happen in real life, for example, when Chris (the single father) went back to live with the dangerous and crazy ex (Stella) after he got fired from his job, once again, because of her shenanigans. Nonetheless, the different parts of the story are woven perfectly together and Cindy's writing style is crisp, colorful, and never boring. The characters are interesting and fully developed by the author. The Stella character is especially intriguing, albeit not very likeable. The two protagonists have to deal with various mental health issues, which will strike a resonant chord with the readers who have or know somebody with Autistic spectrum disorder, alcoholism, or post-traumatic stress disorder. There is some sexual content and strong language, that is why I put the words "for adults" in the title of my review. Some conservative readers may find that this book does not portray the family and gender relations in general, in a favorable light. One of the main characters, Chris, develops a distrust towards all women after being cheated on, deceived, and stalked repeatedly. He has a long string of relationships throughout the book, at one point changing sexual partners almost every night and becoming a sexaholic. Still, he dotes on his son Billy boy and shows remarkable devotion to the welfare of his child. In that sense, the book does show some wholesome family values. Overall, a very nice and enjoyable book.
I had tears in my eyes
Based on a true story, this is a fictionalized account of one boy`s history of child abuse. Born with a cleft lip, ignored by his mother for the first six months of his life, she walks out on him and his father. His Army father is now faced with the task of raising Billy by himself, trying to keep a roof over their heads, and feeding and taking care of Billy while trying to further his Army career. Finally, realizing there was no other choice, he leaves the service and vows that he and Billy will make it.
The women he goes out with only have one thing on their mind... Marriage. Billy`s dad finally becomes consumed with two things in his life,beside Billy, Sex and Vodka. Unable to hold a job, he is always on the move. Ending up in Michigan, he meets up with a woman who runs a day care center. Infatuated with Chris, she is very abusive toward Billy, becoming a very real threat in their lives. Not only does Billy suffer the abuse of Stella, his father is not much better. Mentally, Billy has withdrawn into himself and has seen and endured more then any child his age should.
One has to read this book with an open mind to see and visualize the sheer torment that this young child endured. Called a freak and a misfit, can there be any help for this struggling father and his son? As he and Billy are continually stalked by Stella, it seems Billy becomes a pawn in the game of survival. Can Chris save himself and provide a stable home for them.
I had tears in my eyes reading this just wanting to hold Billy and show him that there was love in this world and no need for the suffering he was going through. The ending of the book left me with open minded and cries sequel. This book is highly recommended, but be prepared for coarse language and sexual content. The book contains material not suitable for those 17 and under.
Five years have passed. The sequel to the award-winning Chapel of Eternal Love, this book revisits the same couples in the first book, and where the lives have taken them since they left the altar at The Chapel of Eternal Love
