(Cover picture courtesy of Beyond the Bookstore.)

Have you ever felt lost as a parent?
Do you really know your children?
As a child, have you ever felt alone?

This is not your ordinary parenting book. The cover images depict something raw and naked. The topics dealt with are real and visceral. It is a story that we do not often tell: the story of parenting from a child’s point of view. A roller coaster of emotions awaits readers as the author chronicles the highs and many lows of his life. It blends sound research and experience with gentle storytelling to show parents the effect their parenting has on their children.

Inspired by dysfunction and tragedy, the author opens his life in order to help others better understand the human condition, and ultimately prevent other children from growing up the same way he did. The aim is to help parents notice the signs of dysfunction. More importantly, to do something about it before it is too late. In addition, to tell others who grew up lonely, or in imperfect circumstances, that they are not alone.
Warning: many of the topics dealt with are of an adult nature. For this reason, the book comes with a warning for children under the age of 13. However, all teenagers who read it should do so with parental supervision.

Topics discussed in this book
what is parenting?
education
communication
secrets and lies

[Full disclosure: I received a free ebook from Daniel Alexander in exchange for an honest review.]

It took me a really, really long time to read Through the Crimson Mirror, even though it’s less than 100 pages.  Normally a book that length should take me less than an hour.  Now, that’s not because it’s a bad book I had to suffer through.  No, it’s because Daniel Alexander’s book was good; I had to slow down and digest all of the information being presented to me quite thoroughly.

This isn’t just a book on parenting—it’s also a book for any teenager/young adult who wants to gain more insight into the choices their parents made.  In some cases, it could be a lesson on what to look out for if you decide to become a parent.  In other cases, it could offer an explanation for the behavior of parents.  Daniel Alexander covers everything from educational reform to lying to your children in his book and it makes Through the Crimson Mirror a thought-provoking read.  Do I agree with everything he talks about in his book?  Of course not.  But that’s really not the point: the point is to get people thinking about the choices we and others make as parents and how to see through the eyes of a child.

Through the Crimson Mirror is not a book for everyone, but if you’re looking for some thought-provoking commentary and insight all in less than 100 pages you’d do well to read it.  Whether you’re a parent or not, you’ll enjoy it and start thinking critically about the world around you.  That’s something very few authors can achieve, so I have to congratulate Daniel Alexander on that.

I give this book 4.5/5 stars.

Amazon*     Barnes and Noble*

*Only available as an ebook.