Almost every person knows the story of JonBenét Ramsey’s murder on Christmas day of 1996. The tragic, brutal murder of such a beautiful, vivacious six-year-old girl captivated the entire nation and for years the suspicion would lay on her parents, Patricia and John Ramsey. After the media painted the portrait of these two parents, it was hard to see the truth, and the facts became muddled as the case went cold. In “The Other Side of Suffering” John Ramsey tells his side of the story for the first time, allowing readers to glimpse into his own personal Hell, full of grief, tears, and anger.
As John Ramsey courageously recounts the events that led up to this disaster, the reader is compelled by his details. While the beginning of the novel focuses on the loss of his young child, the majority of the book discusses John Ramsey’s faith in God. As a Christian, he wavers in faith after JonBenét’s death, a natural reaction as blame shifts from killer to self to God. A fellow sufferer, John Ramsey takes the reader on his journey to accepting his life after the murder of his daughter. Packed with emotion, unanswered questions, and a strong connection to God, this novel transcends every expectation in a delightful way.
Each individual in the world has experienced some sort of loss, whether it be a breakup, the death of a loved pet, or the death of a family member. The reader connects to John’s grief, not being able to understand how this man and his family overcame the evil and destruction that lay before them at the end of 1996. John claims, “tragedy doesn’t have to damage our souls” and I believe he proves this statement over and over again through his memoir. Inspiring all Christians to pray and proving the power of God, John Ramsey creates a book that all human beings can relate to. In the midst of suffering, everyone must find his or her way over the hill. Inspiring others to hang on to life and seek aid from friends, Ramsey creates a hopeful narrative on how to overcome life’s injustices, disappointments, and obstacles. Armed with his faith in God, Ramsey motivates all readers to believe that the best is yet to come.
5 stars
**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will not be released until March 2012.
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