• Punching Bag

  • By: Rex Ogle
  • Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo
  • Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (23 ratings)

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Punching Bag  By  cover art

Punching Bag

By: Rex Ogle
Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo
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Publisher's summary

The companion to Rex Ogle’s award-winning Free Lunch is a searing account of adolescence in a household torn by domestic violence.

Punching Bag is the compelling true story of a high school career defined by poverty and punctuated by outbreaks of domestic abuse. Rex Ogle, who brilliantly mapped his experience of hunger in Free Lunch, here describes his struggle to survive; reflects on his complex, often paradoxical relationship with his passionate, fierce mother; and charts the trajectory of his stepdad’s anger. Hovering over Rex’s story is the talismanic presence of his unborn baby sister.

Through it all, Rex threads moments of grace and humor that act as beacons of light in the darkness. Thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully crafted, and authentically told, Punching Bag is a remarkable memoir about one teenager’s cycle of violence, blame, and attempts to forgive his parents - and himself.

©2021 Rex Ogle (P)2021 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Punching Bag

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Painful and Inspiring

This book is a tough one. Very real and honest look at abusive relationships and mental illness. Despite the difficulties of experiencing Rex’s pain through his words, it was also inspiring to let teens know that there is truly a light at the end of the tunnel.

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I lived how he really explained his life

the only think that I didn't think was amazing was maybe the cuss words

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Another brilliant memoir

Rex and Ramon both do it again. This one is darker then his last one, but, I don't mind that. With a title like Punching Bag, I was expecting domestic violence to be part of the storyline. Another amazing performance by Ramon.

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