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Reaching the Shore: A Story of Survival, Courage, and Endurance Paperback – January 6, 2018

by Bonnie Jane Hall (Author), Davin Jake Douma (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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Reaching the Shore: A Story of Survival, Courage and Endurance

By Davin Jake Douma and Bonnie Jane Hall

Reaching the Shoreis a memoir about the famous murder trial of a sixteen-year-old boy that took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1980s. Written by the mother of the boy, she kept a journal of everything that happened, how she felt and what she experienced during the twenty-seven years of her son’s incarceration. This is an incredibly thoughtful, brave, and beautifully written one-of-a-kind memoir about the life of a vulnerable young woman who was shocked to the core by an unexpected and surreal tragedy. She suffered decades of anguish without self-pity, never giving up.

It is the story about a boy’s “extraordinary heroism of using the constraints, horrors and obscenities of his surroundings to propel him into a quest of personal growth, self-discipline and personal enlightenment,” remarks writer and educator Susan Wilkins.

The reader will be amazed by the power of intuition and foreknowledge demonstrated by the mother and by the resilience of both mother and son. There are several unexpected and surprising conclusions to the story. Readers will come away with the realization that they too can rise above their circumstances and triumph.

“You write with focus, clarity, and intensity, and we all feel the raw emotions that you so bravely reveal to us,” says David Aretha, author of over 70 books.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    416 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 6, 2018
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.94 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0692047212
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0692047217
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Reaching the Shore: A Story of Survival, Courage and Endurance is a story about a young man's journey through prison life and his extraordinary heroism of using the constraints, horrors and obscenities of his surroundings to propel him into a quest of personal growth, self-discipline and personal enlightenment.
This book is also about the memoirs of a remarkable mother who attentively gave her devotion and attentiveness to that son and was perhaps the principle player underlying this whole miracle.
A true inspiration. The reader comes away realizing that no matter what cards fate has dealt us, ours is not to give up or give in, but to stalwartly without self-pity journey through, conquer and thus be transformed in the process."
- Susan Wilkins, Writer and Educator

"Hall (Earthships, 2017,etc.) recounts the experience of watching her son, co-author Douma (Hard Light, 2016, etc.) grow into an accomplished, caring man despite the limitations imposed on him by a life behind bars."..."The ending, however, packs an emotional wallop, and Hall's life includes some intriguing and devastating moments, such as her husband's suicide and inexplicable premonitions and visions."Kirkus Reviews

"A transformation beyond words. A powerful new non-fiction book. Very well worth your time.".. Dan Bloom, editor, The Cli-Fi Report

"What I got from the book is so profound it cannot easily be explained in a short review...

This book deserves to be read widely, however the violent and brutal reality of prison may overwhelm some sensitive readers. At a mundane level, the book would suit a mature reader interested in the concept of justice, with particular reference to American criminal justice and incarceration. I see the story in a more spiritual light: an advanced soul handling a particularly difficult life with dignity and grace. It showed me that how you handle adversity and endure suffering is indicative of the true nature of your character".

Charlaigne at Online Book Club

About the Author

Bonnie Jane Hall enjoys using her artistic talents for both art and writing. For many years, she worked as a self-employed interior designer. She is a gifted storyteller who can write research-based fiction or nonfiction. Reaching the Shore, is her first book which she worked on for over four years. She is also writing a series of fictional but research-based books about climate change called Earthships, which take place in the future. The series covers themes such as family values, respect for animals, and preparing for survival. Davin Jake Douma dedicated himself to intense personal development and went through a positive transformation while serving a life sentence in prison. He became a skilled writer, martial artist, law clerk, and speaker. Davin read over four thousand books while in prison and became a teacher on a variety of subjects. For over twenty-five years he spoke to kids in and out of school to steer them away from a life of crime. Many of the books and novellas written by Davin are at this time unpublished. His first published book, Hard Light, is now available in both e-book and print on Amazon.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Inspirational Works (January 6, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0692047212
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0692047217
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.23 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.94 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

About the author

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Bonnie Jane Hall

Bonnie Jane Hall

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I started writing late in life and absolutely love writing. I started with a biographical novel about my life and the extraordinary life of my son Davin. The title of the book is Reaching The Shore: A Story of Survival, Courage and Endurance. It is such a powerful and emotional story that it took me over five years to complete.

Subjects that are of great interest to me are climate change, prison reform, kindness to animals, caring for each other and the planet, family and humane values, and basing my fiction on scientific research.

Earthships: Growing Up In The Climate Shift Book 1 was the first in a series of a trilogy. Earthships Book 2 and Earthships Book 3 are both available. Earthships Book 3 can be read as a stand-alone novel. These are futuristic climate change novels but they are based on a lot of scientific research.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
33 global ratings
Such an Engrossing and Heart Wrenching Story
5 Stars
Such an Engrossing and Heart Wrenching Story
This is such an engrossing and heart wrenching yet powerful story that feels like a movie rather than a novel! Everyone should read this to truly understand the life of a prisoner and the effects on family. Everyone believes nothing like this could happen to them or anyone in their family but these situations happen every day. Rarely do people take the time to understand or research prison life and believe everyone that goes there should be forgotten.This book tells the sorry of Davin, an amazing person who takes an unbearable situation and turns it into a journey of growth and never gives up. It also tells the story of Bonnie as a parent and the impact upon the family and the struggle in having a child in prison.In the end it’s a story of loss, love and endurance. It’s also an eye opener on prison life and what happens to children (anyone under 18) who enter adult prisons. I hope you take the time to read this I promise it will be difficult to put the book down once you start reading Reaching the Shore.
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Top reviews from the United States

Traci
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-wrenching
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book touched me to my very core. I am not good with words and have never reviewed a book, but I am compelled to say something about this one.

Davin's experiences and struggles were insurmountable and yet he managed them with dignity and grace. His mother begins the book with a quote from John F. Kennedy: "To have a child is to give fate a hostage." As a mother, I know that to be so true...and Ms. Hall made the ultimate sacrifice.

The heartbreak that Davin's family endured and the challenges that Davin lived with in prison are difficult but they happened to him...and his family. This is about Davin's life in prison, but I believe the main message is about his family's life and what it's like while he is in prison. Davin's mother, father, sister, brother, friends & family had to go on with their lives...helpless to his situation...in anguish.

I don't think I've ever read a book that tells the story from the side of the family and Ms. Hall does an amazing job of doing just that.
My son & I are captivated by a quote from Davin, "There are worse things than death...Remember, no one gets out alive."

Davin was a child when he went to prison. He became a man to be respected, admired and in awe of. Trying ever so hard to see the "good" in his situation and doing everything in his power to avoid becoming one of "them". He succeeded, and I will never forget his story.
3 people found this helpful
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MCC
4.0 out of 5 stars The strenght and power of the human spirit!
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
When Bonnie Hall was looking for literature to help her understand and process the life of her son spent in various prison institutions and navigating the difficulties of the parole system, she found little to console her. She proceeded to gather the writing of her son over his lifetime spent in prison together with her memories of this difficult, emotional and heart breaking time and the result is. "Reaching the Shore".
What stood out for me the most in this book was how Davin took a life situation that would break most people and used it to become an educated, kind and compassionate human being. Bonnie shares his letters to family and friends and combines them with her recounts of struggling as a young woman and parent to raise her children the best she could through some very challenging periods in her life. For those looking for an experience seldom shared that will open your eyes to our very faulty criminal justice system and to the unfailing courage and strength of the human sprit, this is a must read.
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netkat
5.0 out of 5 stars Such an Engrossing and Heart Wrenching Story
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is such an engrossing and heart wrenching yet powerful story that feels like a movie rather than a novel! Everyone should read this to truly understand the life of a prisoner and the effects on family. Everyone believes nothing like this could happen to them or anyone in their family but these situations happen every day. Rarely do people take the time to understand or research prison life and believe everyone that goes there should be forgotten.

This book tells the sorry of Davin, an amazing person who takes an unbearable situation and turns it into a journey of growth and never gives up. It also tells the story of Bonnie as a parent and the impact upon the family and the struggle in having a child in prison.

In the end it’s a story of loss, love and endurance. It’s also an eye opener on prison life and what happens to children (anyone under 18) who enter adult prisons. I hope you take the time to read this I promise it will be difficult to put the book down once you start reading Reaching the Shore.
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netkat
5.0 out of 5 stars Such an Engrossing and Heart Wrenching Story
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2018
This is such an engrossing and heart wrenching yet powerful story that feels like a movie rather than a novel! Everyone should read this to truly understand the life of a prisoner and the effects on family. Everyone believes nothing like this could happen to them or anyone in their family but these situations happen every day. Rarely do people take the time to understand or research prison life and believe everyone that goes there should be forgotten.

This book tells the sorry of Davin, an amazing person who takes an unbearable situation and turns it into a journey of growth and never gives up. It also tells the story of Bonnie as a parent and the impact upon the family and the struggle in having a child in prison.

In the end it’s a story of loss, love and endurance. It’s also an eye opener on prison life and what happens to children (anyone under 18) who enter adult prisons. I hope you take the time to read this I promise it will be difficult to put the book down once you start reading Reaching the Shore.
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2 people found this helpful
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Roy Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart breaking and hopeful. Every mother should read...
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
In an environment that encourages inhumanity there are a few who manage to keep it. This is the story of one such person. Much of the story is in Davin's own words making it an autobiography, but it's also a memoir of a mother trying to cope with a son's tragic life. It's a critique of the criminal justice system. Most of all it's a story of hope.

I knew Davin before reading the book. I felt like I knew the whole family after reading it. I walked away with a better understanding of how Davin became who he was, what shaped him and motivated him. I understood the impact on Bonnie and other mothers, of her son's actions. Every mother in a similar situation will find a kindred spirit in Bonnie's story.

Davin was no saint and Bonnie doesn't hold back either the good or the bad he did. He was human - perhaps more human than most in the final analysis. His story is informative, enlightening, and inspirational. Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Deb James
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for reading group discussion
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
Reaching the Shore is an amazing book co-written by a mother who narrates and her incarcerated son whose letters and essays add a depth and perspective rarely heard by the general public. My book group read it together, and while the book itself does not include discussion questions, we spent the better part of a Sunday afternoon on an emotional roller coaster. Major themes are the power of maternal love, the present condition of our criminal justice system and how juveniles are treated, and how spirituality combined with courage and endurance overcome extremely difficult circumstances. Written with raw honesty, this is a powerful book and a must read!
One person found this helpful
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David Adwokat
4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2018
Davin and I met years ago. We had very limiting ways of talking but over time, I discovered we had several interests in common like Sci-fi and video games. Even though I only knew him mostly through restrictive conversations, I wanted to learn more about his life and how he became who he was.

Davin never really spoke much about his life in prison and this book sheds light on that. It shows the gut-wrenching effect of being imprisoned at such a young age on family and friends. Reading Reaching the Shore made me realize what an amazing person he came to be and how well he handled himself after tragic events shaped his life.

I recommend this book to anyone wanting to take chance on a real-life story about overcoming adversity and hope.
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