Living Without Love

Florence Coustier grew up with an emotionally needy mother, four teasing brothers, and an alcoholic father who sexually abused her. Her mother believed Florence was retarded after delivering her two months premature weighing less than three pounds. Florence grew up believing that she was naturally stupid and received little attention or help from the educational system. Florence left home and moved to California in her early thirties. To stop her mother s constant pleas to return home, Florence married Henry Coustier. To Florence s disappointment, Henry had no idea as to any of the needs his wife might have. In her book, Florence seeks answers to her never-ending fear of any man who showed an interest in her, and why she so longed to be loved. It wasn t until she was in her fifties that Florence finally discovered to her great surprise her resilient, independent, and intelligent self.