Storytimers’ Thoughts on The Character
Storytimers are readers who have left reviews for the stories. While I have never met them and don’t know the names of many, Storytimers’ opinions matter deeply. They are proof dreams come true. Across the various platforms (Amazon different countries, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, Kindle), the story has nearly five hundred reviews. Below is a sample.
I’ve also provided links to other reviews / press for the story, and you can jump to different sections here:
Five Star Amazon Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, September 2013 from “RVK”
A must read
This is an important document every mother must read, especially a mother to girls because these monsters do not have horns on their head, they look just like anyone else, but their wicked, sick mind is more dangerous than any weapon I can think of.
I would even suggest adding it to the reader’s list in high school or have a book group meeting with parents in kinder-garden.
These monsters must be stopped, treated or jailed. No girl has to go through this kind of a nightmare.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, May 2014 from “ggmommom”
something good before the bad
she was having so much fun with her daddy..just her and daddy at the lake swimming and having a picnic..Ann wanted to forget everything..she didn’t want to face reality..”Sometimes the greatest things are given by the smallest ones.” that is so true..that is one story Ash told her that gave her strength to get up off the floor and get to her heart blanket that gave her security..you have to read this book..it is very well put together,..such a sad story..God love her
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, January 2014 from “MichalaTyann”
It’s own creative angle
I enjoyed reading this because though it’s a truly gut wrenching topic I am always amazed to see these kinds of books. Why? Well if you read to the end, this author specifically shares my reasoning. To sum it up though…ones story can truly make a huge impact on another who is or has also ensured the same or similar. Thank you tiffani for your courage to share your voice.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, August 2014 from “A Kelley”
Emotional Read
This book reveals that you can overcome the scars of abuse in a positive way. As a victim of abuse myself, I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with the effects of abuse. Whether it is from someone personally dealing with effects or knowing someone that has been abused. Sadly abuse is more common than most people think.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, June 2014 from “jenik”
Heartbreaking
Never
has their been a story similar to mine, it was creepy. I was molested when I was a little girl, two times. Instead of telling, I kept it to myself. I really did feel as this character did, there was something wrong with me. Now, being older, I can see it wasn’t my fault!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, November 2018 from “Sara J”
Five Stars
Was what we wanted. Very happy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, June 2013 from “A”
A very encouraging story!
As a child, I would have loved to have a friend like Ash! A must- read book! I literally read it in less than 24 hours! I was amazing!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, October 2013 from “Madame Gilgamesh”
I LOVED THIS BOOK
It never ceases to amaze me how creative some people are and Tiffini Johnson is about as gifted in prose as anyone could ever hope to be.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, July 2013 from “Rayona”
What a story
Wow absolutely amazing and touching. I felt so connected with this little girl that I couldn’t stop reading. Touching and heart breaking
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, September 2013 from “Michael J. Tucker, Author”
A Heartrending Story
This novel will make you cry.
Told in a first person narrative by ten year-old Anna, the story is about sexual and physical abuse. The author has accurately captured the voice, grammar, and life of a child trapped in a nightmare where morning never seems to come and reality fades to what the mind imagines or denies. It is a painful read that will touch your emotions as you feel Anna’s loneliness, betrayal, guilt, shame, and pain. Stay with it and you will be rewarded in ways you could not have imagined.
The Characters
Anna – the ten year-old narrator
Ash – Anna’s imaginary friend
Daddy – Anna’s father
Mama – Anna’s mother
Emily Grayson – a classmate
Miss Sarah – a child psychologist/therapist
Mrs. Keller – Anna’s teacher
John – Mama’s new friend
The Story
The prologue opens with Anna sharing a memory of the day her father took her swimming. It is a nice memory and we learn it is the only good memory that she has of her father. We quickly learn that Anna was seven years old the first time her father abused her. Trapped alone with him in the evenings while her mother works as a nurse she shivers in her bed as she hears floorboards creak and doorknobs turn.
Ash becomes a necessary companion and confidant ready to share stories and encourage Anna to write stories of her own. The stories are parables that shine lights on happenings and offer possibility and hope. As Ash encourages Anna to write. And write she does. Everything goes into her notebook. But writing about everything can sometimes become a problem.
I encourage anyone in contact with children to read this novel. Ms. Johnson’s offers an accurate portrayal of signs and symptoms of abuse. The work would also lend itself to therapy sessions helping victims to understand that they are not alone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, August 2013 from “Dorothyw”
The Character: A Diary of an Abused Child
Poignant! Sad that there are so many children who are abused by the person whom should be the protector. So often though being abused, all the child wants is to be genuinely loved even y the one doing the abusing. Devastating, and lifelong trust issues will forever be part of that person’s life. How this story demonstrated this.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, April 2010 from “Mootfowl2”
The Character
I knew from the opening sentences the ‘general’ direction of the tragic road young Anna would be forced to walk. To what depth she would have to go before coming out on the other side, however, is something that has to be read to be believed.
Throughout the entire horrible time in her life, Anna walks that road with an “imaginary” friend who is arguably as important to the plot as Anna herself. The wonderful antithesis of those who used her innocence, or forgot who she was in that dangerous cauldron she found herself in. The bright light in her life.
The voice of Tiffini Johnson is sure. Her plot is riveting. Her characters–though we must loathe the worst of them–have real life. Truly an amazing book. Out of five stars, I give this incredible little book six. A must read.
Goodreads Five Star Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, April 2010 from “April Vaughn”
The narrative voice is stunningly beautiful. I fell in love with Anna just because she sounded SOOO much like all the ten year old girls I know. The book made me violently angry. I think this was the writer’s intent. I was so pissed off at what was happening to this girl and the fact that NOBODY saw it, not even her “loving” mother, that I just about threw the book several times. But then Anna would say something SOOOOOO insightful or just, normal, that I had to finish it. I am proud to say that I made it through the story without crying (I doubt that will be typical!) Then I read the “For Reflection” (which is really like the afterward, or something, just when the author wants to talk a little bit more about the subject) and cried until I drowned because I GOT IT: this shit HAPPENS.
This writer knows how to write. She knows how to write and tell a story, better than Ash does (which, I won’t give it away, but SAYS A LOT). I think her strong point is in evoking EMOTION and I think it’s an important read, if just only for the afterward part. I thought that the John bit was a bit much, but the afterward explained that and then I had an AHA moment and GOT IT, so I can’t even say that against it. There were a few areas where she had tense shifts (sometimes even within a sentence) but she may have just been trying to pull a JD Salinger thing where she talks in a “real” way. I really don’t care. I don’t know that I will ever read it again, just because it’s emotional impact is astronomical, but this is a book that I would highly recommend (in fact, I think I’ll recommend it to my book group!)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, February 2014 from “Amber”
I found this book from a friend using it for a forensics event in debate. She started to preform in class and started with the bird story. She could barely through that when we had to take a break for everyone to collect their emotions. I, along with the girl, were crying our eyes out. We talked and realize that we had a bond beyond most: we were both survivors. She recommended the book to me just as I will recommend the book to any other survivors. It is hard to read and caused many triggers, but the way that Anna is able to cope with it is inspiring on a level that I cannot even begin to describe. I cried while reading it multiple times and even had to set it down to collect myself. Overall it is written so well and anyone who reads it will fall in love with Anna.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, July 2010 from “Catherine”
I was lucky enough to win this book in a giveaway from goodreads. If I hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t have read this book.
I’m glad I did.
The Character is a fantastic book. Anna’s voice is realistic, and I sometimes forgot she was a fictional character. I wondered several time how she was able to deal with her abuse, and remain a creative young girl with a talent for telling stories. Then I realized-stories were what helped her.
The book was excellent and it’s message was great. I’d reccomend this book to anyone who wants to read a well written novel that will make you think.
Four Star Amazon Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, July 2013 from “mcook”
abused child telling their story
I enjoy reading these and crime novels because you get a chance to get into someone’s head with what was going on as well as to understand the workings of some people.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Amazon, December 2013 from “shirley white”
Do not ignore the warning signs of a child in trouble.
Compelling true story, heartbreaking, but honest. A real warning to all those who ignore the signs of abuse in a child.
Four Star Goodreads Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, May 2011 from “Tika Newman”
“The Character” by Tiffini Johnson is a vivid account of the thoughts, fears and innermost feelings of personal inadequacy of an abused girl. She blames herself for everything, but learns how to survive and deal with her day to day life. She is stupid and nobody likes her, people stare at her. One day the girl meets someone who will become her best friend, who opens her eyes, as well as her heart. Ash is a grown man, a story teller. He teaches her about the simple pleasures life has to offer … the song of a bird, a kite, a tree, the clouds, and trust. Ash tells her wonderful stories and encourages her to write them down. Eventually she writes her own stories and finds she’s good at it. This makes all the difference to her. She is good at something. One day maybe she will become a story teller too.
“The Character” is written in first person and is a sensitive account of psychological, physical, and emotional damage, as well as the inner strength found within one young girl.
Tika Newman
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, March 2011 from “Quinn”
“The Character” is a very sad story that brings to light the atrocities of sexual child abuse. I can’t say that I enjoyed this book because the subject matter was so disturbing, but it did make me stop and think about all the terrible things that happen to children and often go unnoticed. I believe that even though this book tackles a tough subject, it is an important book because it does bring alarming attention to a distressing and repulsive issue.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, September 2018 from “linda proudfoot”
A very good read one of those books you want to know what is in the next page
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, September 2011 from “KayLee”
Anna was a very realistic character; Her feelings were so strong and well written. Also, I loved Ash, and how Anna bonded with him through stories. It really made me think, about all those kids out there who just need some love ❤
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, January 2012 from “Jamie”
Gut-wrenching, yet beautifully written. Don’t skip The Reflection at the conclusion of the book. It underlines the importance of the message.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed on Goodreads, April 2016 from “Toni Marie”
It amazes me how the human psyche can adapt in traumatic situations.
Tiffini Johnson 