Halo book worm...
This book is available online and distributed free of charge by its author, an Indonesian actress and singer. Named Aurelie Moeremans, this book is not a fiction novel but rather a memoir of her life as a survivor and victim of a pedophile. Yes, this book contains the horrific story of Aurelie, who was only 15 years old.
Honestly, I don't want to retell the book's contents because just remembering it makes me want to vomit. The villain, the abuser, paints a truly disgusting picture. Nevertheless, I must share just a little bit about the story. But if you'd like to read the full book, Aurelie is giving it away for free and can be accessed through the link in her Instagram bio.
Aurelie was born and raised in Belgium in a poor family. She then recounted the story of her parents' struggles, moving from a small apartment to a decent one. Then, at the age of 15, Aurelie went on vacation to her grandmother's house in Indonesia, where she entered a modeling competition. The judges were impressed by her ability to sing and speak more than two languages. After winning the teen modeling competition, Aurelie then participated in castings for commercials and soap operas. After returning to Belgium, she received an invitation for a soap opera contract, so Aurelie and her family moved to Indonesia for good.
In her first commercial, she was paired with a 29-year-old man named Bobby. At the time, Aurelie was 16 and still considered a minor. After the partnership ended, Bobby frequently offered small favors, which ultimately made Aurelie feel indebted. Over time, that kindness turned into a demand for feedback. Aurelie, 16 at the time, readily accepted Bobby as her boyfriend. What followed was a series of horrors that should never have happened to a teenage girl who hadn't even finished school.
Bobby grew increasingly frightening, and when Aurelie was 18, the old man used all means to marry her. This innocent girl was under pressure because if she didn't obey, Bobby would kill her parents. Aurelie continued to be tortured psychologically and physically, manipulated, and always belittled Aurelie. Throughout the marriage, Aurelie received many threats and pressure until she finally realized that their marriage was invalid. Aurelie had been deceived, and that was where Aurelie began to fight back in her own way.
I read this 220-page memoir overnight, from about 11:30 P.M. to about 4 A.M. In the early chapters, I didn't think Aurelie's life was that hard until finally, in the chapter where Bobby did inappropriate things, I felt nauseous and goosebumps. How could a 15-year-old teenager bear such a heavy burden. I had heard the news about Aurelie who had just divorced because her husband committed domestic violence, but I didn't know every detail because the media wasn't as massive as it is now. I thought it was just a normal household matter, but apparently it wasn't that simple. That man was like a villain in a movie, even more disgusting than that.
When this book was distributed, the real perpetrator—whose name has been changed—was manipulative, appearing on several podcasts and saying the exact same things he did when he committed the atrocity against Aurelie. Every denial seemed to reinforce the belief that the person mentioned in the book was indeed him.
Aurelie is now happy, has recovered from her trauma, and is active as an actress and singer. She has never clarified anything, either then or now. She simply wrote the book as a means of healing, as proof that she has truly healed. I imagine her mental state as she replayed and imagined the terrible events in her life. I believe she is truly at peace and happy now. This book wasn't originally intended to be shared, but her husband suggested that perhaps her story could help other Aurelies.
For someone writing a book for the first time, I couldn't believe Aurelie did everything herself. She wrote so neatly, created the layout herself, designed the cover herself, and then rewrote the Indonesian translation herself. She is not bound by any publisher because of her good intentions to share with other Aurelie.
Hasta La Vista...
Thanks in advance guys, to read my blog and hope you like my post!
See you on the next post...
Vivie Hardika
Hi, Halo, Annyeong! Welcome to my galaxy.
I have so much imagination in my head. Something that I can't achieve as a human and as a girl. So writing is very challenging. Since Junior High School, I have written whatever I want to write. Without skill, I just write what I want to read. Now I have 12th published novels and all of those are romance.
Yeah, I proudly say that I am a passionate author, traveler wannabe, and blogger.
