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Maggie Kirton
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My Firefly ~ Walls of the Storm: A True Story of Child Abuse Kindle Edition

by Maggie Kirton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings
“Living is what’s supposed to happen after you survive. It’s life in ‘post-survival’ that defines the human character’s ability to move forward from trauma.” ~ Maggie Kirton

2018 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Award: NON-FICTION - SOCIAL ISSUES
***Contains mature themes. For readers 18 and above.

My Firefly ~ Walls of the Storm by award-winning creative writer, Maggie Kirton, is a powerful and innovative exploration of a sensitive and painful subject — the impact of abuse on a child.

Kirton's unique storytelling approach uses the metaphor of a house and the "insects" that inhabit it, providing readers with an allegorical perspective that challenges conventional thinking. Her writing is characterized by rare honesty and brilliance, as she metaphorically shields readers from the pain and ugliness associated with her abuse.

"Maggie Kirton knows that human beings may accept our own traumas but we are, by and large, incapable of getting overly-close to those of others. Fortunately, the house-spirit (the author) knows exactly where the limit is and constantly takes us to the brink but never quite tumbles us over the edge and into the abyss."

The book explores how abuse affects the mind, especially when it comes from a trusted father figure. The title, My Firefly, aptly captures the essence of her tale, emphasizing her journey to maintain and reveal her inner glow despite the darkness she endured.

Readers commend Kirton for shedding light on the profound and lasting damage caused by abuse, giving testament to the perseverance of the human spirit.

"The house waits for her to show the world her beautiful glow. In writing this book, that is exactly what Maggie Kirton has done... she has shone a light on the full extent of the lifelong damage such abuse causes. By doing so, she encourages others like us to speak out from under abuse, no matter how painful. Bravo, Firefly!" ~ Reviewed by Viga Boland on Readers' Favorite.

My Firefly is described as a gripping and heartrending tale that encourages survivors to speak out and confront the painful realities of their experiences.

"I found her protective writing style unique and an intelligent way to relay these horrific events."

"I recommend My Firefly to everyone. It's a tough subject that many would rather not think about. Everyone needs to know the signs to look for in children. If you "feel" something is not right with a child, act on that feeling. You could save a child many years of trauma. Thank you, Maggie Kirton, for sharing your story. My Firefly is a steady light shining bright through the darkness."

"As difficult as it certainly must have been to write this, the story ebbed and flowed naturally and without haste. The house telling the story is Genius on so many levels. I don't think anyone could tell this story from a first person perspective. For me as a reader, I can't help but see that the house is inevitably a part of firefly... Thank You So Much for sharing your story Maggie. You have written it in such a way that I think it could truly transform those who discover it. This is such an incredible story."

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Non-Fiction by Maggie Kirton

My Firefly ~ Walls of a Storm
My Firefly ~ Death of a Hornet (The Journal)

Fiction by Maggie Kirton

Sagaman Series:
Sagaman Kessler: The Boy Will Fight (Book 1)
Sagaman Kessler: The Old Oak Grows (Book 2)
Sagaman Kessler: Those Left Standing (Book 3)
Sagaman Kessler: Moonlight Vale (Book 4)
Sagaman Kessler: The Complete Collection
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    My Firefly
  2. Print length
    278 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    March 26, 2011
  5. File size
    3.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mirron Willis--actor of film, stage, and television--is the winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2012 and a finalist for the Audie in 2015, as well as the winner of four AudioFile Earphones Awards for his audiobook recordings. He has worked extensively in film and television and on stage with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and the Ensemble Theatre, among others. He has recorded some 150 audiobooks, including the Smokey Dalton series by Kris Nelscott and My Song by Harry Belafonte. He resides and records audiobooks on his family's historic ranch in East Texas.



Creative writing has been a passion for Maggie Kirton since the age of three. Unable to read at that age, she slept with her big red book of Grimm's Fairy Tales under her pillow, with her hand tucked between the pages in the hope that the words would come to her in her sleep. With a love of the written word and the physical and mental process of creative writing, she is currently testing the waters of the fantasy fiction genre. Maggie is available for speaking engagements with schools and survivors via live online video messaging and is committed to bringing awareness to the residual effects of child abuse, sexual assault, and violent crimes.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004U35ANK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2011
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 278 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ My Firefly
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings

About the author

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Maggie Kirton

Maggie Kirton

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Creative writing has been a passion since the age of three when Maggie had a big red book of Grimm's Fairy Tales. Unable to read at that age, she slept with the book under her pillow with her hand tucked between the pages in the hope that the words would come to her in her sleep.

Maggie Kirton achieved her first bestseller with her award-winning memoir, My Firefly, which sheds light on her personal story of child abuse. Trained in Frontline Intervention, she is dedicated to raising awareness about the lasting impacts of child abuse, sexual assault, and violent crimes.

After eight years, Maggie finally completed her 4-book high fantasy adventure Sagaman Series. Her dream of creating a big red book of her own has come true. Breaking every rule of the genre along the way, she makes no excuses. The Sagaman Kessler series is available on Amazon.

She lives in Canada with her husband and dogs, and is a contented wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoys painting, beading, sewing, working with leather, wood or cement, and gardening. She also spends time helping other authors achieve their dreams.

A true creative, you'll find Maggie in her pajamas, happily working in an 8x8 office with a desk and computer. Her midnight candle still burns bright, with pristine pages waiting to be filled with her unique written sound.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,093 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book compelling and appreciate its inspiring story of survival, with one review noting how well the author expresses emotions throughout the narrative. Moreover, the insect references are well-received, with customers loving how they are used in the story. The writing quality and emotional content receive mixed reactions - while some find it masterfully written, others say it's hard to read, and while many describe it as a heart-wrenching read, others find it heartbreaking. Additionally, the book's perspective and originality are positively received, with one customer highlighting how it's told from the house spirit's point of view.

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99 customers mention "Inspirational story"79 positive20 negative

Customers find this book an inspirational life story that touches the heart, highlighting the strength of the human spirit. One customer notes how the author expresses her emotions throughout the narrative, while another mentions how she excelled despite childhood trauma.

"...It’s a brilliant and original tact. Her story has intense themes dealing with abuse. A topic even when narrated by a house that is difficult...." Read more

"I did enjoy the book and empathize greatly with this poor woman,but first I must say-WOW there's a fundamental problem throughout the story:The..." Read more

"...using such a literary device to tell my story! This book is so brutal in it's truth that I, as a fellow survivor initially (and shamefully!)..." Read more

"...An inspiring story of survival, courage and resilience against all odds and a disturbing read to think an abuser can be so depraved and such a..." Read more

94 customers mention "Readability"89 positive5 negative

Customers find the book compelling and enjoy the way the author tells her story, particularly appreciating the narrative of the house.

"...Her gift for storytelling is amazing. She depicted her antagonists as insects. And the story was told from the perspective of an infested house...." Read more

"...I believe this is a must read for people who don't understand how hard it is for some to trust, and make wrong choices because they haven't had any..." Read more

"...In addition to how well the story is told, they differ in the range and seriousness of their subject matter, the acuity of the insights offered and..." Read more

"I did enjoy the book and empathize greatly with this poor woman,but first I must say-WOW there's a fundamental problem throughout the story:The..." Read more

8 customers mention "Insect references"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the insect references in the book, with several noting the interesting point of view and loving the comparisons throughout the story. One customer highlights the unique metaphor of insects representing people, while another mentions that characters are named after insects.

"...The writing is lyrical and lovely. The metaphor of insects in place of people is unique, and while it does take some getting used to, it helps deal..." Read more

"...I loved that the characters were given the names of insects and that her mother was a peacock...." Read more

"...The spirit names each insect aptly and in doing so tells her story from beginning to end...." Read more

"...to write from the point of view of the house and to incorporate insects into this unique and touching memoir...." Read more

7 customers mention "Perspective"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the perspective of the book, with one noting how the author presents the story from the viewpoint of the house spirit.

"...in the range and seriousness of their subject matter, the acuity of the insights offered and the depth of feeling the writer is able to tap...." Read more

"I liked how the author told it from perspective of the house spirit, and calling everyone insects (they deserved it)...." Read more

"Third party perspective was interesting...." Read more

"Different perspective. Already recommended the book to my mom. I think it could help her. Thanks for sharing your story." Read more

6 customers mention "Originality"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's originality, with one noting its unique style.

"...The writing is esquisitely Brilliant and Original. The language so familiar and reminicent to me, somehow...." Read more

"...breaking, this story written by the "spirit" of her first house, uses a unique (at least for me) way of describing all of the players in her life as..." Read more

"...It's an original and unique style that after the initial confusion I fell in love with...." Read more

"...a difficult life and emerging strong enough to relate her story in an original, creative way." Read more

79 customers mention "Writing quality"49 positive30 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it interestingly and masterfully written, while others describe it as awfully written and sometimes hard to read.

"Spellbinding and riveting. I enjoyed Maggie Kirton’s book, “My Firefly: Walls of the Storm.” Her gift for storytelling is amazing...." Read more

"This book is not for the faint of heart. It's graphic and disturbing with some language but it's raw and real as her experience was...." Read more

"...Maggie Kirton writes eloquently and the method she chooses to tell her story is brilliant and one I, a voracious reader, have not seen before!..." Read more

"...I found her protective writing style unique and an intelligent way to relay these horrific events...." Read more

28 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"13 positive15 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's emotional content, describing it as a heart-wrenching and haunting read.

"...Initially, her narrative is deeply harrowing. Fortunately, there is light and even redemption at the far end of the long, dark tunnel...." Read more

"Spellbinding and riveting. I enjoyed Maggie Kirton’s book, “My Firefly: Walls of the Storm.” Her gift for storytelling is amazing...." Read more

"This book is pure horror! To read about how abused the child and later on the grown up woman is horrible...." Read more

"I have never read a book like this; one that held me mesmerized, shocked, sickened and feeling choked up through most of it...." Read more

6 customers mention "Visual quality"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the visual quality of the book, with some finding it graphic, while one customer notes it goes into great detail.

"Genius to write it as the spirit of a house, it truly captures the real and raw emotional rollercoaster it invokes...." Read more

"This book is not for the faint of heart. It's graphic and disturbing with some language but it's raw and real as her experience was...." Read more

"...This novel is an excellent representation of what can happen and what the results can be." Read more

"...Maybe the author will find a stronger voice using her own. It's distracting, and took a lot more space to set up how the house could follow her from..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Island Girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars A handbook for survivors.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Spellbinding and riveting. I enjoyed Maggie Kirton’s book, “My Firefly: Walls of the Storm.”

    Her gift for storytelling is amazing. She depicted her antagonists as insects. And the story was told from the perspective of an infested house. The house is a safe narrating voice because it is inanimate. It’s a brilliant and original tact. Her story has intense themes dealing with abuse. A topic even when narrated by a house that is difficult. I had to stop several times to pause and teared up. Her characters were well rounded. I wanted to take Maggie in my arms to comfort and protect her.

    These were very difficult challenging theme to write about. But Maggie is adroit in weaving her words together, egging you to go on, when you’d have otherwise given up and stop. Her story transports you to the room where abuse was happening at the hands of the Hornet. I could feel her pain, her traumas, and rising anger at the cruelty and injustices she suffered.

    I am currently reading the second book and I am relieved she is seeking justice. It’s mostly impossible for children but as an adult she acts to bring up her wounds and to at last, heal. The readers must admire her courage in dogged pursuit of the truth. No matter the cost to herself, or how it might make others look, her North star is the truth.

    Hats off to survivors! Maggie is an inspiration and a modern-day heroine in this #metoo culture. Abuse is such a difficult harrowing topic, but this story is very relevant to everyone. Her strategic use of metaphor is instructive for anyone finding their voice. It is anyone committed to finding the light at the end of their tunnel. I highly recommend this book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • tleo
    4.0 out of 5 stars A tale of survival of a very strong woman
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    My father was crazy and my background was dysfunctional, but absolutely nothing beats this horror story of unimaginable cruelty. This strong survivor may have walked down dark paths, but ultimately her children were of paramount importance and she broke free from the cycle of abuse and self destruction.

    My heart bled for someone who had no choice and had no one to defend her. I believe this is a must read for people who don't understand how hard it is for some to trust, and make wrong choices because they haven't had any other examples or role models in their formative years.

    Kudos to the author for breaking free, for freeing her children, and while she knows she will always be marked by her story, knows now when to walk away and when to stay.

    The comparisons to, and naming of people as insects took a bit getting used to. But in the end, I see well why they were made. I wouldn't want to humanize individuals in her family with names either, and I wouldn't want to insult animals by using them. Overall a good, though painful story. I hope people read this and learn some compassion for those who had no choices.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • RONALD MACKAY
    5.0 out of 5 stars My Firefly is not only a very good book – it is a very important book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    MY FIREFLY Maggie Kirton
    The memoir genre is rich and there are many different sorts. In addition to how well the story is told, they differ in the range and seriousness of their subject matter, the acuity of the insights offered and the depth of feeling the writer is able to tap.
    My Firefly by Maggie Kirton scores the highest marks on all counts.
    The full title of her book is “My Firefly … a flicker of Light in Complete Darkness, Leading to Safety”. Had I not examined the cover carefully before opening the book and noted the full title with its promise of final shelter I might not have reached the end of Chapter 1. Initially, her narrative is deeply harrowing. Fortunately, there is light and even redemption at the far end of the long, dark tunnel.
    The Firefly’s narrative is recounted by the ‘Spirit’ of the various houses in which the Firefly lives. The house-spirit is an essence that able to accompany her from one location to the next, but able to observe and record only, not to protect or shelter. The impersonal but sensitive and all-seeing house-spirit recounts what happens to the Firefly and the behaviour of many of the other ‘insects’ who inhabit its houses. This creates a welcome distance from an over-raw reality. That distance, a stroke of genius on the part of the author, gives the reader the permission and the will to continue reading.
    It is also heartening that to the house-spirit the Firefly is not just another ‘insect’, she is ‘My Firefly’ – as the title declares -- and so ‘My Firefly’ at least accompanied and cherished vicariously, though not guarded from harm.
    The house-spirit tells of the neglect, abuse and brutality that her Firefly suffers at the hands of parents, the father in particular, and how these early traumas imprint a pattern on her life that her Firefly abhors but is unable, for years, to escape.
    The choice of the house-spirit as narrator provides us the reader with precisely the amount of protection from human truth that allows us to keep reading. The full title too, consciously and intentionally promises final redemption.
    Maggie Kirton knows that human beings may accept our own traumas but we are, by and large, incapable of getting overly-close to those of others. Fortunately, the house-spirit (the author) knows exactly where the limit is and constantly takes us to the brink but never quite tumbles us over the edge and into the abyss.
    My Firefly is not only a good book – it is a very important book that should be part of everybody’s reading because it exposes a part of certain lives that is all too real for some, ignored by others, and can only be halted if we are willing to listen and understand.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Swati
    5.0 out of 5 stars Story of triumph over all odds
    Reviewed in India on February 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    It’s a heart breaking story of a young girl and one can only wonder at the moment unimaginable circumstances that she withstood. Love is at the heart of the story. We look for it from the day we are born and the more it is denied the more we crave for it. But if we don’t have the ability ( because of the environment almost always) to recognise it .. we fall into never ending cycle of abuse and neglect and accepting that’s ok or we don’t deserve better. Having that ingrained into your heart by your parents is the cruelest lesson they can give you but if you mature, you as the firefly realised, would know it’s their shortcomings that they cannot face so they project it on a little being to cleanse them of their demons. How cruel?! But if you can keep a secret then why can’t your children who are moulded by your hand! Never mind what your secret is vs the price your children have to pay with their lives. The story ends with amazing grace of fight, gather and find. Love to the author. She’s beautiful.
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  • MikeC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Provoking, emotional, confronting. Brilliant.
    Reviewed in Australia on September 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Some stories make you smile, laugh, others make you cry. Some move your very foundations, even though you’d been expecting nothing of the kind. This is a story woven of three perspectives: the narrator - a house, the protagonist - a girl, and the woman who moved through this story to an end she firmly believed she’d never see – the author. This is a confronting memoir, yet only confronting in that it seeks to lay the past down on a page without seeking to dilute, judge, challenge or rage against it, but simply to lay it bare. It’s not hard to understand why Maggie chose to adopt the house as narrator – I couldn’t imagine writing her story if it was mine and doing so in the first person. Apparent necessity for self-preservation of sanity aside, it simply works as well as a technique to provide insights and a level of objectivity such a story deserves. Ultimately this is a story about humanity, written on the most meaningful level – one person, one life. Light reading it most certainly is not; provoking, both thoughts and deep emotions, it certainly is. For those who hear its story best, life changing perhaps; one hopes. Five stars seems trivial, but at the very least I can do that.
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  • TheLovingLighthouse
    5.0 out of 5 stars The truth of abuse vividly shared with courage.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Written from the perspective of the family home...if only the walls could talk, scream and reach out to save the many out there being abused even as I write this review. This heart wrenching true story of a woman’s journey of abuse from birth into her midlife couldn’t have been expressed in a better way.
    The painful truth of how “aggregate abuse” at the hands of a father (not limited to fathers) can destroy and tear one’s inner and outer worlds apart and how faulty the judicial system is in bringing justice to those abused.
    As someone who has experienced “aggregate abuse” there are triggers within these pages. I urge you to read on and find that flicker of light within as the firefly did. May it bring a sense of comfort that you are not alone. May it inspire you to bring forth your inner strength and shine brightly. May it encourage you to see your worth and to love yourself.
    Maggie’s strength to carry on amidst a life filled with seemingly endless horror is sure to inspire those experiencing similar to hold on and to never allow another to dim your inner light.
    Perhaps in reading this book many victims will choose to speak out fearlessly and may those that read these pages that have stood by knowing horrific things are going on to wake up and stand up for those being abused.
    Abuse of any kind is so commonly swept under the rug. It’s accepted and better yet most feel it’s best left unsaid. May “My Firefly” bring forth a change in that mindset.
    May this book land in the hands of someone willing to fight for changes in the laws. May someone out there reading this book recognize symptoms in those around them that may be suffering in silence. You’d be shocked to know that a mass majority of those around you in your everyday lives are going through much of this horror and mask it way to well.

    To the author Maggie Kirton thank you for your courage to write and to share all that you experienced...I feel that even the word experience isn’t even enough to describe what you lived and breathed for so long. I send you sincere heart felt love and respect.
    I could write so much more....
    Keep on shining brightly ❤️🦋
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  • Chrissie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stunned!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I began this book yesterday at 2300hrs, I've just finished it 18.41 the following day - yes I did sleep.

    I really don't have the words to express how this made me feel. It's a little confusing to begin with, until you become familiar with the 'voice'
    It's far from an easy read, it's harrowing and thought provoking. It made me question what I my reaction would be if I suspected someone was in a similar situation.
    To even use the word sad, is nowhere close to the emotion I felt but it certainly isn't a tale of failure - but one of strength, belief and above all the survival of the human spirit.
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  • Book Lover
    5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly Compelling!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This was the most compelling book I have ever read in my life - I only stopped to sleep and resumed as soon as I woke. The house narrates the story, referring to the humans that occupy it as insects; the Author's reasons for doing this will become clear to you as this tragic story unfolds. The story is told so eloquently and without self-pity that it touches your heart and soul. Within the first few pages, tears fell from my eyes and continued throughout; at times I blubbered. No book has ever had such a profound effect. If you read just one book in your lifetime, then let it be this one. A true story told so well and with such courage, that it left me with nothing but admiration for this lady. Highly recommended read that will stay with me forever!
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