Shattered: Reclaiming a Life Torn Apart by Violence

by Debra Puglisi Sharp

Book Overview

In April 1998, Debra Puglisi Sharp -- wife, nurse, and mother of teenage twins -- was tending the roses in her garden when a factory worker with a cocaine habit slipped in through an open door and waited for her to come in. Nino, her husband of twenty-five years, got in the way and was shot. The man then attacked and raped Debra, placed her in the trunk of his car, and drove away. Kept hog-tied in her abductor's house, Debra finally learned of her...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743444566
• ISBN13: 9780743444569
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Unforgettable story.

I decided to read this book after I saw this author on the show, "I Survived." It is unbelievable the horrors that she went through. I really appreciate how she did not shy away from describing what she went through or sugarcoat anything. What she went through was the stuff of nightmares but she indeed survived! Well written page turner. One of the most impactful books I ever read.

Searing, riveting story of survival

Ms. Sharp has done an extraordinary thing in writing this book chronicling her horrific experience with violence and its aftermath. It must have been very therapeutic for her. It seems she thought of herself much like the way her late husband Nino portrayed her - as a little lady who probably couldn't handle the big stuff, like applying for college loans and dealing with her mortgage. Undoubtedly if Nino knew what she went through, and how steel-strong she came out on the other side, he would see her in a whole different light and reassess that opinion. Ms. Sharp's writing style (combined, I guess, with the co-author's) was extremely gripping, readable, and much like the page-turning murder mysteries that she says in the book that she is fond of. While there is really no mystery in the story, it reads in the same kind of way - I found myself unable to put her story down, reading it in a day and a half, being urged on to see how it played out and how Donald Flagg, the man who upended her life and the lives of her family, fared in the end. One of the things that struck me [aside from the crime(s)] was that the Puglisi family virtually abandoned her and her children for many years after the crimes occurred. I am astounded at this. I can't get my mind around how her husband's family could turn their backs on her, their daughter-in-law, and her two children, their grandchildren, niece and nephew. Unbelievable. Ms. Sharp writes very lovingly and honest about her slain husband, Nino, and their marriage, including things that she didn't necessarily have to share, such as the fact that although they loved each other deeply, they were a couple of 'old marrieds', or something to that effect. It made them all the more human to me. I also commend the bravery that it took for her to write so painfully candid and unflinchingly about the crimes that were committed against herself. It was indeed hard to read certain passages, but it was important that she included everything to not only convey her ordeal and to characterize the monster that changed her life forever, but hopefully to let other victims of crimes know that they are not alone.

Heartbreaking, Inspirational

As someone who was also a victim of a violent attack, I was enlightened and inspired by Debra Puglisi Sharp's well-written account; by her clear explanation of post tramatic stress syndrome, her ability to reclaim her life and the dignity and love with which she speaks of her ordeal and her family.I, too, had to "befriend" my attacker, to say whatever I could to save my life and those of my sisters. Debra helped to relieve me of the shame I've carried since. I can't recommend this book enough. It will help you as a victim, but also as a potential juror, should you ever sit on a similar trial.

highly recommended

Inspiring, and very well written. Deeply moving account of a woman who has been through hell and yet kept her dignity, her sanity, and her inner strength. Out of her nightmare, she found the courage to help others and build a beautiful new life. A shining example for all who have suffered, or are helping others cope with the legacy of violence.

Shattered : Reclaiming a Life Torn Apart by Violence

I highly recommend this book. It is a heart wrenching story about the amazing strength of a women that is truly a survivor! The way in which it was wrote allows the reader to get into the mind of this women and what she went through. You are left feeling that your problems really don't seem so bad and that you too can be survivor!

Truly an inspirational story!!!!

The book "Shattered" was and inspirational story about Mrs. Puglisi Sharp's shear determiniation and will to survive a situation that most assume will NEVER happen to them. Throughout the book I was in tears of both sadness for what she had to endure and also happiness for all of the circumstances she was able to overcome.