The true story of a loveless childhood.

"I handed my school photograph to my mother. She stared from the photograph tp me...Lord, sweet Lord how come she so ugly. Ugly. Ugly."

These cruel words are just the beginning. Constance's mother systematically abused her daughter, both physically and emotionally, throughout her childhood. Regularly beaten and starved, the child was so desperate she took herself off to Social Services and tried to get taken into care. When Constance was thirteen, her mother simply moved out, leaving her daughter to fend for herself: there was no gas, no elecricity and no food.

But somehow Constance found the courage to survive her terrible start in life. This is her heartbreaking - and ultimately triumphant story.

Just finished reading this book. What a story! Gripping, Unbelievable, Emotional, Devistating. It was one of those books that is harrowing to read and quiet upsetting...but you have to read it to find out what happens to her in the end. I couldn't put it down. To think that all that has happened to one person. I think she is an incrediable woman to still be level-headed, and not have any spite in her.

Going into Redhouse's BookBox #9

I remember hearing this woman on the radio, being interviewed by Johnnie Walker. I listened intently to her story and made a mental note to get hold of this book, but as mental notes are not indelible, I forgot! I'm thrilled to see it turn up in redhouse's bookbox and will make a point of reading it soon. Thank you for including it rosiewhippet.