Out of Control

Reviews / Votes

No-one who has met Natalie Collins will be surprised at this book. It is authentically hers, full of energy, insight, quirks and personal narrative. Few people can pepper a serious, even scholarly, book on domestic abuse with comments that leave you laughing out loud! But finding humour in tragedy is Natalie's great gift, as is her refusal to be cowed by what she has gone through. This book is both realistic and hopeful, opening a window on abusers and abused, not least by Natalie's personification of the 'tactics of torture.' The profiles of abusing partners, and the struggles of those who suffer will be soberly familiar to many. Written with Christian wisdom and vigour, Natalie's up to date, well-researched, and 'must-read' book challenges us all to work ever harder towards the eradication of violence against women. -- Elaine Storkey, Theologian, Philosopher, Broadcaster and Author Out of Control is a call to action; at times funny, touching, insightful, challenging and profoundly disturbing... without doubt this is a must read for every church leader. -- Kate Coleman, Founder and co-director of Next Leadership When I first began to review books, two decades ago, I was a jobbing pastor, and took a vow that I would never write 'every pastor should read this book'-the life is too busy, and too varied, for that ever to be true. Or so I thought. Today I repent: every pastor should read Natalie Collins's book, and should give it to their leaders to read as well. Domestic violence is an enormous hidden plague that infects every community, and every congregation, in the land, and Natalie exposes the reality of this, and points to practical steps we can all take to help.

Even better, Natalie communicates out of deep expertise, but simply, even colloquially. And all her passion, all her hope, all her joy, all her humour, are present in this book. It is a magnificent achievement, and it matters. Read it! -- Dr Stephen Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology, University of St Andrews The book is well-researched and accessibly written. It is full of information which would be useful for those in abusive relationships, those who seek to intervene in such relationships, and those who ought to be intervening - such as church leaders. As a survivor of domestic abuse, Collins speaks with clarity and honesty about her own story. -- Helen Paynter * Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence * I can't merely describe this as informative, well-researched and practical. It's also jarring and prophetic. Equally, to take such suffering, face it down, push back against it and raise a prophetic cry for others to hear, is nothing short of heroic. This book oozes with courage, wisdom and hope.

Bottom line: Collins has written a much needed, must-read for anybody who's interested in creating and curating a better world. -- Tristan Sherwin, author of Love: Expressed