PRESS-READY SUMMARY — Pretend They Are Dead

Pretend They Are Dead is a gripping memoir of survival, truth-seeking, and generational healing. In it, attorney and father of five Steven Scott Eichenblatt confronts the lifelong impact of abandonment and abuse after his father vanished when he was a child. Raised in a volatile home defined by fear and emotional silence, Steven buries his pain simply to endure — until adulthood forces him to confront the memories he spent decades suppressing. From a near-fatal car crash to formative years on a kibbutz in Israel, the book traces his journey toward identity, stability, and an unshakeable commitment to break the cycle for his own children. Brutally honest yet ultimately hopeful, Pretend They Are Dead is a powerful testament to resilience and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s story.

🌟 REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS (Concise & Impactful)
Kirkus Reviews

“An unflinchingly honest memoir… Eichenblatt’s courage in revisiting painful memories gives the book its emotional power.”

“A stark but ultimately affirming account of survival and self-discovery.”

Christmas Lake Creative

“A raw, heartfelt journey through abandonment and healing.”

“Eichenblatt transforms trauma into a story of hope, authenticity, and generational change.”

Reader/early reviewer responses (general tone)

“Couldn’t put it down — painful, illuminating, and deeply human.”

“A story that stays with you. Brutal in its honesty, but redemptive in its message.”

“For anyone who has lived through trauma or raised children despite it — this book hits home.”