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The Boy in the Cellar cover art

The Boy in the Cellar

By: Stephen Smith
Narrated by: Oliver J. Hembrough
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Summary

Stephen Smith is the boy who did not exist. Born out of wedlock in the early 1960s, Steve's parents - both devout Catholics - had felt so 'shamed' by their son's illegitimate birth that they hid him away from the world by locking him in the cellar...for 13 years. Apart from a few admissions to hospital as a result of his 'imprisonment', Steve remained in the coal cellar of the family home where he was deprived of daylight, his childhood, school and human contact until he'd reached his teenage years.

Starved and beaten, the little boy's world was a darkened room that measured just 8 feet by 10 with a single makeshift bed, a bare light bulb and a solitary table. Steve would spend his days conjuring up an imaginary world full of monsters he would draw to try to block out the physical and mental torture inflicted on him by his brutal father. Locked away like an animal with a bucket to urinate and defecate in, the only human contact he received was from his father, who'd regularly beat him with a shovel and whip him with a belt.

Eventually, he escaped only to fall prey to the instigators of two of the worst cases of institutional abuse in the UK at Aston Hall hospital and St. William's Catholic School.

A horrifying true story of torture and cruelty that reveals a human's full capacity to fight for survival and search out happiness and hope.

©2019 Stephen Smith (P)2019 Bonnier Books UK

What listeners say about The Boy in the Cellar

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Flipping heck

Harrowing, but absolutely needed to be told and listened to. You may well cry listening to this and struggle to remember it's NOT fiction.

Narrator is superb.

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21 people found this helpful

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Highly recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one of the most shocking books of abuse I have ever read, but with the most amazing recovery and triumphant survival of any human being that had been subjected to such abuse could even begin to hope for... Stephen I am truly in awe of you.. what a remarkable Surviver , fantastically inspiring book , thankyou for sharing your horror of the first part of your life so honestly , and your strength to overcome and achieve the wonderful life you have today 😘 . Highly recommended Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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15 people found this helpful

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Tragedy Overcome

It's a difficult listen and one I had to keep reminding myself was a true story. Ultimately, this is a story of triumph in spite of the countless adults who let vulnerable youngsters down i n the worst way.
I felt horrified, angry, furious and despairing, followed by surprise, happiness, contentmemt and even pride for Stephen for becoming the best person he can be. I wish him every joy in life. He deserves it.

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9 people found this helpful

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Unbelievable True Story

How anyone can/could survive this is beyond belief, a fantastic told true story you will not want to put down, shocking, sad & you could say disturbing to the feint hearted. Brilliantly told, read book.

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9 people found this helpful

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A heart wrenching story !

narrated very well ..this is a must listen!! ..it's vile what this boy went through sickening to the core but come out one hell of a fighter 💪

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8 people found this helpful

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Truly shocking

I can't believe that someone can be treated like this throughout life and still be so positive and happy in the end. Truly shocking to listen to but puts your own life in to perspective!!

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6 people found this helpful

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Heartbreaking story, Happy Ending

Knowing this was a true story made it difficult to listen at some points but I really admire Stephen's ability to survive many horrific situations and then to write a book to share his painful story with the world in hopes of helping others has me admiring this man so much! Great read.

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5 people found this helpful

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A fascinating / disturbing read.

This was both a fascinating, and a disturbing read. What makes it all the more remarkable is the fact that it's a true story.
I think one of the most prevalent thoughts I had after listening to this, is the twisted sort of logic that goes on in some religious communities like the one Stephen's parents were from. That having a child out of wedlock was a terrible, unspeakable thing, but "raising" a child in a cellar, with violence and neglect, is somehow acceptable to these same people.

And I got to say, it brought a smile to my face when Stephen was having his first experience of music, and he was loving some of the same bands I grew up listening to and loving.

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4 people found this helpful

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Truly unbelievable

Really really enjoyed this book. Had me totally captivated from start to finish. Narrator was excellent.

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3 people found this helpful

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brilliant

sad but shows that the strength of this man is mindblowing he's a real inspiration to me and being from Derbyshire myself wish I could meet this man..thanks Lisa hessey

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2 people found this helpful