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The Boy in the Cellar
- Narrated by: Oliver J. Hembrough
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
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The Boy in the Cellar
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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.
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What listeners say about The Boy in the Cellar
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- A. Listener
- 09-02-21
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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- aLISON gRACE bORGESE
- 09-01-22
A wonderful survivor
So so hard to read , what Steven smith suffered through his life was truly heartbreaking BUT he made it through, what a marvellous man. Awful as the abuse was, I just couldnt stop reading to find out how he survived it all.
Well written and read.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 21-09-21
Terrifying..
This is like the book "A child called it". Terrifying and sad. As a father of three kids, I can't really understand how you can treat any child like this.
But you should listen to it. I love even it is hard to listen to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 10-09-21
Incredible story with such honesty
I loved this book, it is shocking awe-inspiring and heartbreaking all in one. Incredible to know that I live in the same area and these things are real, my heart goes out to the incredible brighter bravery. Hope your life is so much more than you ever believed possible!
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- Jennifer Latimer
- 25-03-21
Heartbreakingly sad
How brave of Stephen Smith to write his harrowing life story. What a truly amazing man.
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- Anonymous User
- 18-06-21
It helped.
A well written, heart breaking true story. Narration was excellent. It feels comforting to know that despite how lonely abuse can make you feel, you are not alone. Thank you this book helped.
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- B
- 20-05-21
How was this allowed to happen?
An utterly horrific and disturbing account of a childhood filled with abuse, misplaced trust and an absolute abuse of power and neglect by those who should have been there to help. Stephen’s resilience is incredible, a wake up call to life, He’s an inspiration to us all. As part of a world that has treated a fellow human being in such a repulsive way, I offer my apologies. This must never be allowed to happen again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ian
- 26-06-21
Seriously real but in a worthwhile way to realise how lucky we mostly are .
Was just quite disturbing to begin with , won’t ruin the story but until things got a tiny bit better it was very very sad but the narration is perfect and it takes you to the place where he was in the cellar .
Think that’s says enough . Can’t recommend enough.
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- Jon234
- 27-12-20
A hard listen but worth it
A very hard story to listen to, it’s a pretty harrowing to say the least. However, I had to keep listening to it (and managed to finish within a couple of days) as I had to hear how the story unfolded. I can’t believe how bad things got for him after you thought he was safe (after leaving the cellar). It’s a shame his dad never faced justice for what he did to him.
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- miss t m ryan
- 26-10-20
you have helped me
Stephen thank you for sharing your horrific story, you have been to hell. but you have turned out to be amazing man. you have helped me to deal with my demons. Good luck with ur family and future. your loved by many
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