Two Thousand Minnows

A Young Girl's Story of Separation, Forgiveness, and Hope

By: Sandra Leigh Vaughan

Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans

When Sandra Leigh was seven years old, she fell into the role of protector of her mother and three younger siblings. One winter night, she ushered her mother out of the house during one of her father’s tirades, and then snuck her back into the dark home through a window. Sandra was used to events like these; what she wasn’t used to were the mountains and nature surrounding her new home in West Virginia. Raised in the city, it took some time to get used to the long, hot summer days and nights, but she soon found that the forests, rivers, and mountains were more secure and comforting than the house that held her abusive and volatile father. Catching minnows in the gentle river, riding on rope swings, and exploring the outdoors distracted her from what was waiting at home. But then, her mother became pregnant again, and Sandra’s concern for her family and their well-being grew when her mother returned home from the hospital without the baby. In Two Thousand Minnows, Sandra reflects on the events of her childhood and adolescence, including the time spent traveling across the country with her anxious, worn-out family in a small, cramped car. As Sandra grows older, she realizes that what they’re chasing when they move from town to town the perfect, stable life cannot exist, at least for her, until she has the answers to all the questions she never asked. As an adult, Sandra decides to stop running from the past and instead revisit it, refusing to give up until she unearths the truth and finds the sister who never came home.

©2014 Sandra Leigh Vaughan (P)2014 Audible Inc.

so beautiful!

A great epic story told so sweetly and gently. Would recommend over and over again!

Loved this!!!

Awesome, true voice memoir. Heartbreaking, funny as hell and all the things. Gripping and life-affirming :)

Very Good true Story

Sandra you are a strong person with a heart of Gold! Thanks to your love and your family grew! I will think about your mom and wonder if she ever had that meeting.

The middle seemed a little long winded but the end explains why and it is heartwarming!

This book teaches you how to forgive others and more importantly, yourself. It’s a story that will stay with you long after the story ended.

What is growing up normal anyways?

I loved this book. At first I thought this was going to be a juvenile book but I discovered very quickly it was far from that. The abuse in this family is a little hard to take but then we all know it happens. I loved Elizabeth’s voice. She was so wonderful at playing all the parts. What a wonderful story and the ending made the love of family and the strength of human will amazingly powerful.

Wonderful story

I was sad when it ended. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the style of first person writing, especially how it matched the age of the main character through the book. Awesome read and listen!

Still smiling

Dear Sandra,
There were so many times in this book I wanted to literally reach in and strangle your Mother and Father. What an interesting, sad, difficult childhood you had. I found myself so often wanting to pluck you out of that sad existence and make you smile.
The biggest take away from your beautiful book is that not only did you survive but obviously with this written book, you thrived! Good for you!
Thank you for a wonderful listen. It’s a book I will not soon forget.
One other thing… I loved the title and how you came full circle!
This would make a beautiful movie!

Two Thousand Minnows

I ofter try a new author with trepidation, but this was a lovely light read.. kept me interested.. I felt like I'd love to know more about how the rest of the family faired after the book had ended so am hoping there is a second part to this story...

Great book love the story

I am going and hope she wrote more love the story great ending poor girl

Surviving the Abuse of Damaged Parents

Physical and emotional abuse damages children. This book recreates the unpredictable, explosive tensions of a family where verbal and physical violence intensify the struggle to provide food, clothing, shelter, love & hope to the children. The descriptive language of the author is harrowing during the bad times, heartbreaking during loss & uprooting times, & evocative when solace & wonder are found in nature. Some readers found some funny parts, perhaps in the needling among the siblings. But I found little to uplift & evoke smiles. The dysfunction was hard to witness --- even when the painful longing for a lost child was resolved,
I was relieved that the children survived into adulthood. but I find it hard believe that all the childhood trauma was repaired & overcome. Some kids are more resilient than others & often stable relationships with caring, trustworthy & supportive adults can help heal the wounds of childhood abuse & neglect. But coming of age & leaving home do not automatically make for happy endings. The author has a varied & creative career & that is welcome news, But I'm left with the uneasy wondering if all the sibs will build affirming relationships & deepen their resilience for all life's challenges to come. One can only wish them well.

Excellent read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was so well done. The orator of the audio was excellent. I hope for another book by this author. Well of course it's not that simple I am