Burnt Face: Scarred for Life
Burnt Face is the true story of Author, Annette Swann. Annette's young life was altered and changed forever in the blink of an eye. Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, Annette tells the struggle of surviving severe third degree burn injuries at the tender age of 9, as the result of one irresponsible adult’s actions at a Christmas BBQ. Annette shares the last days of her ‘normal’ childhood before her life changed; it tells her story in great detail of the day she was scarred for life. Burnt Face is an emotionally moving story about the profound impact the horrific scars made to her childhood and follows her struggle into adolescence. It is a story of friendships, overcoming bullying and growing into a strong and rebellious teen in the notorious suburb of Broadmeadows, known for boisterous youth and gangs during the 70s and 80s. Follow Annette‘s torment of not being like other girls, to how one kiss on New Year’s Eve would change her world. This is the story of growing up with a Burnt Face.
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August 19, 2023
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Thank you Netty, I couldn't put it down. So well written, if I lived in your neighbourhood, I would be in your gang:) The resilence you gave over and over again is testament to where you are today. ...I'm so glad I'm part of it... Bloody brilliant book.
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Jackie
July 30. 2025​
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I just finished Burnt Face: Scarred For Life, and I felt compelled to reach out. You’ve written something profoundly brave equal parts survival and strength. Your journey from trauma to resilience is one that will stay with me for a long time.
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What struck me most was how honest and unflinching your voice is. You allow readers to walk beside you through some of the darkest moments imaginable, and yet you never ask for pity, only presence. That choice alone speaks volumes about your strength. The girl in those pages, navigating surgeries, stares, and silence, becomes a symbol of persistence and self-worth in a world that often looks away.
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I actually came across Burnt Face: Scarred For Life while researching powerful, under-the-radar memoirs centered around survival and identity. I was specifically looking for stories that speak to resilience in the face of visible trauma narratives that challenge societal expectations and center personal truth.
Your book stood out immediately. The title alone caught my eye, and once I began reading, I was deeply moved by the rawness and integrity of your voice. I wasn’t just reading a memoir I was witnessing strength without performance, and that’s rare.
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Samantha Julia Harvey