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The Forgotten Child
- The powerful true story of a boy abandoned as a baby and left to die
- Narrated by: Mark Elstob
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, True Crime
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- By G. Holden on 09-10-21
Summary
Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a heartbreaking 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.
Critic reviews
"An incredible story of survival." (The Sun)
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What listeners say about The Forgotten Child
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amanda
- 15-09-20
love this book
I loved listening to this book it was very hard to stop listening to it my hart goes out to Richard
1 person found this helpful
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- yasmin
- 24-02-20
so touching
all I can say is listen to this I love it very touching sad I have to move on to a new one
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 14-02-20
Brilliant book, well written, kept me enthralled.
Loved this, I knew all the places mentioned personally, and could identify with much of the content. Highly recommended
1 person found this helpful
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- Bernieb
- 21-11-19
Brilliantly read
Such a sad story , Once you start to listen it’s difficult to turn off as you want to know how Richard survives his daily life
1 person found this helpful
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- Lynne
- 21-09-19
emotional story
emotional story of one mans struggle through life, the only love he ever felt was from his adopted mum, who's love and care for him was controlled by her husband. a story of courage, strength and determination.
1 person found this helpful
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- jeanie
- 04-05-19
very sad
very sad and very moving, dear Richard bless you x glad you have now found you peace.
1 person found this helpful
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- Hildur
- 17-01-22
Excellent
A well narrated and written, interesting drama. A coming-of-age story, a true one. Don't miss it.
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- Enna
- 10-01-22
very good book
what a tearful story...very hard to put down ..I needed to hear more ...100%recommend this book .
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- G. D. Charles
- 29-12-21
At its best when the story moves quickly.
This is an amazing story of how an abandoned baby is kept alive and adopted when the system was less than perfect! It's a good listen but the author attributes too much adult thinking to his reflection of his early days. The narration isn't brilliant, but tolerable. The overall story is inspiring and when it's pacey, keeps you listening with interest. It touched me personally in a few aspects, which is comforting. We are all more resilient than we think!
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- Rebecca Martin
- 25-12-21
Great listen
What a journey Richard :( what a painful childhood you had, its so very sad.
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- BHawk
- 21-11-20
sad but engaging story
this book told by the boy who suffered at the hands of his abusive father was sad but engaging. I love a story that shows how strong the human spirit can be. We all have an inner strength that we may not realize unless circumstances force it forward. The story was one that made me want to go hug my own boy.
3 people found this helpful
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- Teresa Hackett
- 10-08-21
excellent & captivating
there was suspense and intrigue.
hoe s child over came neglect, then abuse and still became a caring and successful man all primarily on his own.
1 person found this helpful
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- Candace Fellers
- 27-05-20
Heart rendering story
What an amazing story of an abandon boy, life in an orphanage, adoption and finding his place in the world. Tears and heartache that produced a loving, kind man. A story not to be forgotten.
1 person found this helpful
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- The Cobban’s
- 31-05-22
This was such an amazing story !
I loved this book , sad but also happy at small moments . The ending was fitting . I have a great appreciation for the author of this one ! It is a must listen !
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- Brenden Smith
- 04-03-22
highly recommend
heart wrenching story but so honestly and told from such a tender perspective. such a tender heart
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- Georgia
- 16-08-21
Listened every spare second I found!
This book was just excellent and is a true story. I chose it because the little boy was born the same year I was (1954). I'm so glad I decided to listen. It is about child abuse, so be prepared, It was hard to listen to as I have a grandson the exact same age as this little boy was when his abuse started. I find it so hard to believe that anyone can abuse a child just because. Amazingly the child does survive and gets out of the home so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The narration was exceptional.
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- Amazon Customer
- 13-08-21
So Good
Heartbreaking yet inspiring. the narrator was absolutely amazing. Thank you Richard for sharing your story.
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- Suzette Woolff
- 26-06-21
The Forgotten Child
Your life story is very touching, at times painful. Thank you for your courage to share it with the rest of the world. I wish you love and peace.
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- LeAnn
- 18-05-21
I wish i had known & loved such a sweet soul
Such a sweet soul, how unfair ,what rewards Surely wait for you and Pearl in heaven
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- TxJayhawk
- 02-02-20
Fabulous book!
Fantastic story and the reader was incredible!! Loved it all despite the sad content.