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Secrets in the Cellar
- The True Story of the Austrian Incest Case That Shocked the World
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, True Crime
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Josef Fritzl was a 73-year-old retired engineer in Austria. He seemed to be living a normal life with his wife, Rosemarie, and their family - though one daughter, Elisabeth, had decades earlier been "lost" to a religious cult. Throughout the years, three of Elisabeth's children mysteriously appeared on the Fritzls' doorstep; Josef and Rosemarie raised them as their own. But only Josef knew the truth about Elisabeth's disappearance....
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What listeners say about Secrets in the Cellar
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- sara
- 02-01-15
Fascinating
Interesting yet gruesome, I found the detail behind this real story intriguing, how can some individuals carry out such horrors defies me.
At first I found the narration stilted, as though some sort of auto-tune is used which makes it on the monotone side.
4 people found this helpful
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- Ben
- 31-03-15
Factual and dry, but an amazingly disturbing story
I recommend this book based on the astonishing and disturbing story alone. It delves into the mind of a truly sadistic and damaged man.
I found the part about Fritzels own up bring the most fascinating as it gives clues as to how a person can do such horrific acts to his own family.
3 people found this helpful
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- Katyc
- 29-06-16
Griping & brilliantly read! English voice
First ever audio book and totally loved it. Was 3/4 way through within days.
Authors voice was great to listen to.
Such an interesting story, I've told many people about it already.
2 people found this helpful
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- s.millin
- 20-07-15
loved this book
What made the experience of listening to Secrets in the Cellar the most enjoyable?
Just loved this book, she explained every detail of what she did and felt.
How brave she is, to go through what she did, giving birth on her own, with no help from a doctor, and then coping with her children, and the life she was forced to endure.
How brilliantly she wrote this, so inspiring.
Who was your favorite character and why?
the main character.
What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?
All of it, no faults at all.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
it made me cry, in several places.
Not much joy in this book.
Any additional comments?
you will want to listen to this all in one go. Beware serious time needed. You cant stop.
2 people found this helpful
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- marie
- 12-12-14
interesting book
Narration was not great but the story was interesting, I would recommend this book, shocking you know it's true
2 people found this helpful
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- Sally Howes
- 24-05-15
Secrets in the cellar
It's an uncomfortable book due to the subject matter. However it's well written and well narrated. A shocking story but worth a listen if you are interested in true crime.
1 person found this helpful
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- Jeni Quinn
- 15-02-22
Truly magnificent and horrific
I have watched countless documentaries about this case always wanting to know as much as possible about the victims. This audiobook described in incredible detail, Elisabet's history and progress.
I highly recommend this book.
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- June x
- 08-09-21
Heartbreaking and compelling
What a tragic situation. And Fritzl himself showed no remorse whatsoever. Would love to know how Elizabeth and her children are doing now
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- Amazon Customer
- 23-04-21
Horrifying
Very sad and Dark and very well told. After finishing this you Will find Youself hopning the Victors have nothing but happiness for rest of Theis lives
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- Carrolls
- 24-02-21
Absolutely heartbreaking, but well read.
well read and couldn't put it down. calming voice transforming you as of you are there.
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- Eric Schurr
- 08-11-13
One of the most riveting and disturbing books ever
The story this book tells is truly "stranger than fiction." If it was a novel, you'd say it was too absurd to be true. But amazingly, and shockingly, it is.
From the very beginning, the story is well-paced and well-written. It contains enough details to send chills down your spine that such a sick, twisted man could ever exist. You will wonder how his victimized daughter ever survived and kept her sanity through numerous unthinkable acts: raped 3,000 times by her father, help captive for 24 YEARS, living in a dungeon that is only 5' 6" tall with no windows...it's truly unthinkable.
I listened to this book during my commute, and i was anxious to get into my car every day (how often does that happen to you?). In addition to the story being unbelievable, the narrator is perhaps the best i've ever heard. His voice is made for this kind of thing. It is truly one of the best books i've ever listened to.
My only word of caution: be prepared to be amazed, horrified, disgusted, and baffled.
You'll want to hug your children after you listen to this.
17 people found this helpful
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- ilovebooks
- 07-12-13
I was hooked. A great listen.
Any additional comments?
I know its a good book when I scour the web looking for anything I can about the main characters. This father was a sociopath of the worst kind. I think the author was too easy on the wife but I do live in a different part of the world and have had many things that women did not. Still, how could she let him do all those things to the kids while they were growing up? And the main character, she must really be something to have survived that. I send her and her family all of my prayers and well wishes.
9 people found this helpful
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- Paul Luthi
- 28-10-13
A Fact Filled Account of a Chilling Crime
I REALLY enjoyed this book. The author fills your mind with facts and details and the narrator dictates them to you in a clear, engaging manner of speaking. The subject matter, while horrifically grotesque is in a morbid way, quite interesting. By the end of the book, your heart will go out to the victims of this terrible crime.
8 people found this helpful
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- Joshua
- 04-10-13
crazy and disturbing
What did you love best about Secrets in the Cellar?
Im a big believer that non fiction is better than fiction and unfortunately this story makes that statement true. Its a horrible true thriller for anyone wanting to read it
What did you like best about this story?
the way the author and narrator made you feel like you were right there.
What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?
awesome narrator!!!
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
I would never want to make a film of this book, Way to disturbing
7 people found this helpful
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- Susan
- 01-08-13
The Most Chilling Book I have ever Read
Would you consider the audio edition of Secrets in the Cellar to be better than the print version?
I only do Audible books so I wouldn't know BUT I can't imigane it getting any better!
What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?
The fact that this is true and that a young lady's life was stolen for 24 years is beyond belief and to watch your own children suffer and not be able to stop it. My heart goes out to this woman....
What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He allows you to truly feel the pain that this family went through, I couldn't wait to hear what happened. Nicely done!!
If you could give Secrets in the Cellar a new subtitle, what would it be?
How can one Human do this to another?
6 people found this helpful
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- tina Johnson-gunn
- 30-06-14
Sickening
What did you love best about Secrets in the Cellar?
The actual story is horrible - the fact the father could do this to his own daughter is unreal. How she survived I have no idea.
What did you like best about this story?
That she survived - she had strength in her far deeper than most the people on this earth. A mothers love can do amazing things.
Have you listened to any of Gildart Jackson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
no
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Not saying do not want to give any parts away
Any additional comments?
Be ready to be mortified.
4 people found this helpful
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- Tammy Lamountain
- 06-07-16
Disappointed
I didn't care for it. it was very slow going I found the story was good and I felt bad but the way it is wrote and read was very slow and boring
3 people found this helpful
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- Cheri
- 08-07-15
Awesome book
I'm still digesting it all. It was an unbelievable case! I highly recommend this book!
3 people found this helpful
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- Karen
- 13-07-14
Subject is horrible, story is well told
I love true stories, which is how I found this book. I don't remember ever hearing about this story in the news, but it sounds like it was a nationwide story.. It is a terrible subject, absolutely horrible what this woman and her children went through, but it is very well written, giving the listener a very clear idea of what is going on. I actually don't like knowing things like this even go on in our world, and after the first part of the book, I had decided I didn't want this horror in my mind, but after a few days, I had to listen to more to make sure Elizabeth survived.. She did/does survive, but the horrors her father put her through are unimaginable..
At the end of the book, a psychiatrist explains why he thinks this man did what he did. He isn't justifying it, just giving a psychiatric evaluation. I think that part is fascinating.. A lot of people would, and I'm sure do, just refer to his man's actions as being evil, but saying someone is evil is not a real explanation of why people do the things they do.. Everything has a reason, a cause, something turns something in a persons head to make them do the such horrific things..
Would I recommend this book to others? No, I wouldn't... It is very well written, but like I said, the subject matter is horrible...But if you don't mind this kind of thing being in your mind, and you enjoy true stories, then you will like this one.. I can't say anyone would enjoy this book.. Who would enjoy knowing this went on? But it is very well told...If I had heard about this story in the news years ago, and knew what it was about, I probably would not have purchased it..
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
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Performance
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Story

- Kate
- 20-01-14
Incredible
What made the experience of listening to Secrets in the Cellar the most enjoyable?
Filled with facts.
What other book might you compare Secrets in the Cellar to and why?
My Story by Elizabeth Smart
Both tales of survival against the odds.
Any additional comments?
Sometimes the repetition can be a little annoying, but I believe the author had the best of intentions. He paints a very clear picture of the events leading up to Elizabeth's capture, the horrors of her life in the cellar, as well as what happened after her eventual freedom.
3 people found this helpful