Review: Cutting Away the Pain by Summer Foovay

 I recently read Cutting Away the Pain by Summer Foovay, a short novel with an intricate and powerful story line that has many facets of pain and emotions intertwined. I came to the table with little preconceptions of what I would be reading, noting that the cover and title gave me some idea it had to do with pain. It turned out that I spent the last week reading and rereading a completely captivating story that is filled with psychological components even the best in the field would love to study. Yet the story’s beauty is that at its core—it is about finding love.

Foovay’s tells an emotionally-moving, fictional story from a first person perspective.  It is the story of a girl who recalls growing up in a home filled with emotional and sexual abuse.  Even as the girl reaches the tender age of 19, the scars and pain from that abuse are evidenced in her self image and to some degree her ongoing submissive role to her abusers—that continues even after she turns of age. The emotional pain she suffers is profoundly evident as she recalls her story up until she meets The Mistress for the first time.

To say the very least, the girl’s first encounter with The Mistress is quite tantalizing and wondrous.  Okay let’s just cut to it—when they meet it is totally HOT!  The Mistress understands almost immediately the girl’s need for love and acceptance—and wraps her in compassion and unconditional love. 

And yet—there’s more. While the love story is central—there is pain that has to be dealt with that needs a way for release. As the girl’s emotional pain surfaces, The Mistress does the one thing that no one has ever done for the girl; and only someone who loves her completely could perform these acts with the utmost attentiveness and care.

Foovay claims this story is not for the light hearted—and I have to agree.  This short work will totally grip you as its various layers and complexities unfold. It takes only reading those first few words to be totally sucked into a world of pain and love. And you somehow never fully walk away from it when you are finished reading. It may even draw you back for a second or third take.  You can find your copy of Foovay’s Cutting Away the Pain on Kindle—and it comes totally recommended.