A Safe Place - Lorenzo Carcaterro

I could hardly wait to read another Carcaterra book after Sleepers - even though I approached the second book (a nonfiction account of the author's childhood with an emotionally challenged and physically abusive father) with much caution. I simply wasn't prepared to experience the same raw emotion as I had while reading Sleepers.

I had no problem reading the book, as Carcaterra writes very well. Obviously, he grew up in a rough neighborhood, in a turbulent time, in a generation where men were expected to be "tough" and "in control" - especially in their own homes.

I'm happy to report that A Safe Place did not affect me the way Sleepers did. Perhaps I was more prepared; perhaps I'm simply (and sadly?) more desensitized to the domestic violence described within these pages than I was to the utter horrors described in Sleepers.

I did struggle with one nagging thought upon finishing this book. For a nonfiction account of his childhood, and having first read Sleepers, I found myself confused that there was literally no overlap between the two. In fact, Carcaterra's juvenile incarceration isn't even mentioned in A Safe Place. This may be the result of superb editing, or it may be an uncanny ability to compartmentalize his life experiences. And, if it is compartmentalization on the part of the author, is that a defense mechanism resulting from his experiences?

I walked away from this book a bit disappointed and strangely relieved to be so unaffected. I suppose I expected it to be as impactful as Sleepers. Thankfully, it failed to live up to that expectation.