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Silent Child

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Silent Child

By: Toni Maguire
Narrated by: Katy Sobey
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About this listen

Unlike people with carefree previous lives, I packed away my past. There are some memories labelled 'Look at' and others 'Leave well alone'....

Emily Smith was held in a prison of fear for 10 years. When she was four, her father left and a new man was brought into her life. He loved her, he kept telling her so, but the emotional and physical abuse she suffered at his hands were a daily nightmare. Until one day, after he crept into her bedroom, her life became unbearable.

Emily found she was different in another way as her autism became more noticeable and punishments for her 'abnormal' behaviour more severe. Astonishingly, she managed to escape her home of hell, where she was abused right in front of her mother. Emily determinedly gained a university place and emerged triumphant with a new life and family in Ireland, desperate to treat her daughter, so similar to her, to a different life.

Heartbreakingly true, Silent Child is a testament to Emily's strength as she sheds light on rampant abuse still happening today. Powerful and shocking, sharing her story means she finally has a voice to say: enough.

©2020 Toni Maguire (P)2020 Bonnier Books UK Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Parenting & Families Relationships Heartfelt

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When I read the blurb of this book I knew it would be a good one to listen to, I feel so passionate about the welfare of children and in 2023 it’s still an ongoing problem. It was written with so much feelings that I spent most of the time crying and I want to applaud a courageous woman for speaking out about her abuse as a child.

To think this is someone actual life experience and not a story it is mind blowing yet can be transformational for the younger generations to get out using the facilities of education. It sickens me to the stomach that men like Carl exist and come in many forms from fathers to friends to intimate partners, it’s our duty to reinforce in communities that there is a way out.

Courageous and inspiring

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it's surprising how much we cope with as a child and we believe in what an adult says or does.
brought up many memories of my own experiences as a child, in late 1960s and 70s.
I wasn't lucky enough the first time round as an adult myself to meet a man who is as lovely as your Patrick, but did get out of the marriage after my second child .
I was taken away from having any contact with family and friends for many years including my Nan, I was lucky enough after getting the courage to escape it all to get my Nan and family back into my life.
it happened during the 1980s and 90s,. some people may find this a hard read but as you said that some people who are in similar situations like Marion get it.
my heart goes out to you, it would be nice to have a follow-up on how life is now and how Sonia is doing.
also if you took it further and had carl prosecuted. I wish you well.
hope your book helps others in similar situations get out.

A true survivor.

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I listened to silent child in one sitting although at times it was harrowing but how that child survived I could never guess but she did and I hope she is happy and safe now thank you

You never know what goes on behind closed doors

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This is such a hard listen at times due to its nature but an absolutely brilliantly read book, as a mum I couldn’t believe what I was hearing it was heartbreaking,
100% recommend

So so sad but read amazingly

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lovely east listen could really feel the pain in the way it was narrated

beautiful but sd

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What a awful awful man , how I wish you had listened to fear . Your poor grandma too . I was wanting to hear he’d been locked up & I wanted to hear a sorry from your terrible mother if she’s called that . What monsters to you & I really hope you have a amazing life your so strong & especially worse with autism x

Disappointed With The End

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Great story line of child and domestic abuse during the 80s and 90s and the secrecy around this topic.

brilliant listen

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What a brave little girl and what an evil sick pervert Carl was, to have sexual feelings for a child was abnormal, to inflict mental torture on a 4 year old is evil & sick put this book was so very near what my grand daughter went through. For the first 2 half years of her life her life was relatively normal as her father (my son) & myself looked after her (because her mother liked men & Chelsie cramped her style). Like Toni's mum she got involved with a man (like herself) who was controlling. She married him & that's when both of them really started putting more & more pressure on to get Chelsie away for the people who loved her started. Some of the phrases that both Carl & her mother came out with were exactly like what they would say to Chelsie. About her father & nan not caring, her great gran "will be dead soon as she was old" ect.. Chelsie started answering with "I don't know' because like Carl he constantly kept on & on for HIS/HER right answer. I went to social services but all of them were brainwashed by both of them saying 'she made up stories". Eventually Chelsie called her dad 1 night as her mum abused her & the police escorted Chelsie back home to us. Thankfully now after a year of living with us I can finally see the funny little girl that Chelsie was I am so glad that Toni with all her disabilities was able to find the strength to out wit Carl's evil ways, I wish Toni had said what had happened to him though had she gone to the police about him?
I hope Toni can write another book because I would like to know how she has moved on.
The narrator was perfect

What a brave little girl

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Really enjoyed listening to this book, was essy to follow. Well written & well narrated.

Great book

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very emotional story was hooked from the start gives hope to anyone who reads this

Great story

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