“Love is the Answer, God is the Cure” by Aimee Cabo Nikolov
Love is the Answer, God is the Cure” by Aimee Cabo Nikolov, a Cuban-American writer, is a memoir, which divulges into the raw essence of inhuman brutality. The book is a testament to the vulgarities that a little girl had to experience throughout her life to become a strong woman. It is a patchwork of consistent suffering, humiliation, brutality, betrayal, and unperturbed faith.
The story opens in a jubilant atmosphere with Aimee’s meeting with her sister Nicole and their spending holiday trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, where Aimee met her dream person Dr. Boris, alias Booby. And when their chemistry grew bold, Aimee introduced the dark story of her life to him and her readers. With a heartbroken tone, she narrated her abuses by her stepfather Andres, who used to rape her in the absence of her mother, who was always busy with her medical career. Even Andres’s brother Richmond, her elder sister Michelle’s husband Rick, Bib Maxwell (foster father), manager of the Movie theatre Brent, all had tried to take their chance to hurt her, as if she were made for that. The vulnerabilities of the situation horrified me.
This book is not about only sex abuse and belief in God. It is more than that. It is sunshine on the face of the darkest night. Every chapter begins with a prayer. Aimee’s suffering has no end except her faith in God and her constant prayer to Him. It is the story of Aimee’s triumph over the condemnation of her physical, sexual, and spiritual life. She never gave up hope and never denied herself the life she wished for. She fought till the end for her daughter Danielle’s custody of her brutal father Brent. She was forced to abort her child by Mark. She became the emblem of protest and indomitable spirit.
Alvina’s Verdict:
Aimee’s narrative is bold, throbbing with pulsating emotions and unflinching truthfulness. I salute her brave journey and feel sorry for the immeasurable wrongs she had to suffer. How could a mother be so heartless and insincere to her child? I cannot imagine such a character. I even feel disgusted with the character of Brent, who can be so inhuman. Aimee’s journey becomes every woman’s journey who has to suffer silently. And when their voices get sound, society taboos them, pushing them to the edge of the cliff. I appreciate the endeavour Aimee has taken to unmask the vulgarities of the people whom we consider our protectors and caregivers.
But one thing I did not like about Aimee’s life. It is her haunting insecurities that led her to plan for a threesome with the aid of a prostitute to please her husband Booby. It seemed crazy and vulgar to me. Maybe it arises out of her masochist mentality. Anyway, I like to rate the book 5 out of 5. I did not find a single typo in the entire book. There are references to sex, rape, drug, suicide, and related vulgarities. They are part of Aimee’s life journey. In a society where women are doubly fettered “Love is the Answer, God is the Cure” by Aimee Cabo Nikolov throws light on the darkest of paths. Aimee’s story makes me believe in putting the best thought forward and always hoping for positive energy. I recommend this book to every reader, particularly every woman.
