The Forgotten Child cover art

The Forgotten Child

The powerful true story of a boy abandoned as a baby and left to die

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The Forgotten Child

By: Richard Gallear
Narrated by: Mark Elstob
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About this listen

Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a heart-breaking memoir of an abandoned newborn baby left to die, his tempestuous upbringing, and how he came through the other side.

It’s a freezing winter’s night in 1954. A baby boy, a few hours old, is left by his mother, wrapped in nothing but two sheets of newspaper and hidden amongst the undergrowth by a canal bank. An hour later, a late-shift postman is walking wearily home when he hears a faint cry. He finds the newspaper parcel and discovers the newborn, white-cold and whimpering, inside.

After being rushed to hospital and against all odds, the baby survives. He’s baptised by the hospital chaplain as Richard.
Everything feels as though it’s looking up; Richard is put into local authority care and regains his health. However, after nearly five blissful years in a rural care home filled with loving friends, it soon unfolds that his turbulent start in life is only the beginning…

Based on a devastating true story, this inspirational memoir follows Richard’s traumatic birth, abusive childhood, and search for the truth.

©2019 Richard Gallear (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Abuse Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional relationship Parenting & Families Relationships True Crime Emotionally Gripping Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"An incredible story of survival." (The Sun)
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I would highly recommend this book worth a read, but sometimes upsetting at the things little Richard had to go through as a child

the details in which Richard remembers his childhood.

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A harrowing account of an abandoned baby after leaving an orphanage until he became independent. The system at the time that let him down, then the painful knowledge of his mother’s rejection of him in later life.

The forgotten child

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Really enjoyed this engaging audiobook.
What I would have liked to have done to Arnold ! How can people be so cruel .
Being adopted myself it was especially poignant.
At least it had a happy outcome.

Very engaging.

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all I can say is listen to this I love it very touching sad I have to move on to a new one

so touching

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Tears, laughter, sadness and enjoyment, as well as a great read and listen. seeing how Richard s life changed for the better. Great book.

Richards Life.

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I loved listening to this book it was very hard to stop listening to it my hart goes out to Richard

love this book

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Richard did amazingly well to turn out to be such a lovely, hard working and successful person despite the awful traumas in his life.

Loved it

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Richard was so brave troughout his life.. I know what he must have felt in the abusive childhood but he can now know he is an amazing person

Brutal honesty and emotional

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what a tearful story...very hard to put down ..I needed to hear more ...100%recommend this book .

very good book

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Loved this book such an amazing life he had his he overcame all the abuse he suffered

Very emotional read

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