‘Raised by a Narcissist: That Woman aka My Mother’ is a powerful memoir by Serena Bennett. It’s an incredibly honest story of a woman’s lifelong journey to reclaim her voice and peace after a childhood filled with abuse and neglect.
Serena Bennett started writing this memoir in 2024 and self-published it in February 2025. The book has received praise from readers and critics alike.
Book Review: Raised by a Narcissist by Serena Bennett
Serena Bennett’s Raised By a Narcissist: That Woman aka My Mother is not a light read, but it’s an absolute must-read. From the very first page, Bennett makes it clear that this is a memoir rooted in emotional truth.
It’s about the long-lasting effects of growing up with a narcissistic parent, and the equally long journey of healing from it.
Serena holds nothing back, sharing her “raw and unfiltered” story. What starts as one woman telling her story turns into a brave, unflinching look at how trauma shapes us, and how reclaiming your voice can be the first real act of freedom.
Setting ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Bennett’s childhood home is described with chilling precision. It had four walls and a roof, but never felt like home. It was a place governed by control, silence, and emotional absence.
Yet, the contrast makes the rare moments of warmth all the more vivid. Whether it was the noisy comfort of her grandmother’s home or the gentle care offered by her aunt, these places stood in quiet rebellion against the coldness she grew up in. They offered glimpses of love she would later fight to create for herself.
Storyline ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The memoir begins with a quiet but powerful shift – Bennett deciding that it’s time to stop carrying her story in silence. That moment becomes the catalyst for everything that follows. What unravels is a life shaped by emotional control, parental manipulation, and deep-rooted neglect, but also by resilience, reflection, and the pursuit of freedom.
From early childhood, Serena is forced to navigate a world where affection is absent, achievements are dismissed, and control is constant. Her relationship with her mother, whom she pointedly refers to only as “that woman”, looms large throughout the book. It’s a relationship built on power dynamics rather than love, where fear often speaks louder than words.
Bennett doesn’t reduce the story to a blame game. She peels back each layer with care, examining not only what was done to her but how she internalized it, and how she slowly began to push back.
As the story moves through adolescence and into adulthood, you see her struggles through various phases, up close and raw. Serena’s journey becomes less about reacting and more about reclaiming.
She starts to recognize the invisible patterns that shaped her behavior and relationships, and gradually learns to dismantle them. Her decision to set boundaries, first emotionally then physically, is portrayed not as a dramatic rupture but as an act of survival and self-respect.
Central to this transformation are the people who stood beside her. Her younger brother Tyrone becomes a steady presence, someone who understands the unspoken reality of their shared childhood.
Aunt Cynthia, warm and consistent, represents everything Serena’s mother was not. These relationships ground her, providing the contrast she needs to understand what real care and love look like.
While the story is rooted in trauma, it doesn’t end there. What makes this memoir truly compelling is Serena’s shift from surviving to intentionally healing.
She holds space for grief, for anger, and even for uncomfortable truths about herself, but always returns to the idea that growth is possible. Her journey is neither simple nor clean, but it’s deeply human and all the more powerful because of it.
Themes ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This is a memoir about emotional survival, but it’s also about clarity. It explores how narcissistic abuse distorts your sense of self, and how setting boundaries can feel both terrifying and liberating. It explores chosen family, personal responsibility, and the strength required to forgive – not to excuse, but to release.
Bennett’s reflections are powerful because they’re grounded in lived experience, and she doesn’t shy away from the messy, nonlinear nature of healing.
Writing Style ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Serena’s writing style is unapologetically “raw and unfiltered”, offering a deeply personal memoir based on her experiences, memories, and perceptions. It is honest, steady, and emotionally grounded. She doesn’t rely on embellishment or overexplanation.
Each chapter opens with a quote from a psychologist or poet, setting the tone for the reflections that follow.
The inclusion of “Emotional Reflections” and “Lessons Learnt” adds dimension, encouraging readers to pause, reflect, and draw their own insights. The result is a memoir that feels both intimate and universally resonant.
| Setting | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ |
| Plot | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ |
| Writing Style | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ |
| Themes | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ |
| Vowelor Review: A raw, powerful memoir stitched with scars, strength, and staggering honesty. |
4.0 |
Reasons to Add to your TBR
If you’re looking for a memoir that offers both profound personal insight and powerful inspiration, this one’s for you. It doesn’t sensationalize trauma. Instead, it offers something far more meaningful – a clear-eyed look at what it means to survive, grow, and eventually thrive.
It’s an essential read for anyone grappling with the aftermath of toxic family dynamics, especially narcissistic abuse, as it provides a relatable roadmap to healing and reclaiming peace.
Serena’s journey is a powerful reminder that resilience is about rising again and again, and that setting firm boundaries is not selfish but necessary. It’s a testament to the fact that you can break generational cycles and build a future defined by love and warmth, not by past trauma.
For anyone ready to face the past and move toward something better, Raised By a Narcissist is a powerful and compassionate companion.
About the Author: Serena Bennett
Serena Bennett is a prolific non-fiction author from the United Kingdom. Her powerful debut, Raised by a Narcissist: That Woman aka My Mother, offers a raw and heartfelt exploration of resilience and healing. Drawing from her Afro-Caribbean roots and personal journey, Serena bravely explores the deep impact of toxic relationships, inviting readers into a story of pain, hope, and the courage to reclaim one’s voice.
Her works also include practical personal finance guides, reflective journals, and interactive activity books that inspire growth and self-discovery.
Apart from writing, Serena also crafts beautiful handmade crystal jewellery, each piece designed to nurture emotional balance and inner peace.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Serena finds inspiration in travel, photography, and nature’s beauty, infusing every project with heartfelt purpose and passion.
