The story of a family that is broken. The husband/ father feels the only way to keep his family is to control them through fear and violence. The wife/ mother plans a path to freedom for herself and her children, ages 7 and 10. The topic is a horrific one, the husband's actions unjustifiable. Yet, the support system relied on in these types of crimes is just not there in this instance.
Anne Ludlow has written a story that is hard to read, I can't imagine it was any easier to write. The abuse victims, while sympathetic, do not ask for sympathy, just a place where they can live without fear. They do not ask for charity, but the help they receive is given without expectation of return. The book is written in a detached voice, allowing us to see and hear their journey with a degree of separation. Without that, I do not think I'd have finished the book. It's not a long book, only took me half the night to see the end of the physical and mental abuse of this family. The end of the book is cathartic.

A gritty thriller which reminds us how bad women's lives could be,when they were told to go home and make the best of it. The characters were good,especially the animals.

The Gentleness of Steel by Anne Ludlow is a beautifully written story about an ugly subject. Adie was perfectly portrayed, it felt like nthe reader really got to know her.