Sanctuary: The True Story of an Irish Village, a Man Who Lost His Way, and the Rescue Donkeys That Led Him Home

Barrett debuts with an introspective account of how his return to his family’s donkey sanctuary in Liscarroll, Ireland, helped him heal from PTSD and alcoholism. Barrett’s father established the sanctuary for abused and neglected donkeys when Barrett was a small child, and it quickly became a family affair. Barrett writes of doing poorly in school and being beaten by his headmaster, traumas he found solace from when with the donkeys. Fueled by a cultural tolerance for alcohol consumption, Barrett had his first drink at age seven and came to depend on booze to numb his anxiety. In the late 1990s, a drunk driving accident led Barrett to enlist in the Irish Army at age 19 to avoid serving jail time, and when Barrett returned from five years of service in Lebanon and Kosovo, he suffered from PTSD and continued to drink excessively. He turned his life around after taking a job at the donkey sanctuary and becoming a born-again Christian. Though repetitive at times, Barrett’s endearing narration, vulnerability, and candor showcase the power of persistent love—from animals and people—in the face of adversity. This is a touching story of faith and recovery. (Mar.)