"Heartbreaking and inspirational in equal measure, this poignant memoir about a victim of abuse and their battle for justice will live with you long after the final page has turned."
When five-year-old Monica is removed from her volatile life with an alcoholic mother and placed in the safety of a respected foster family, it should have marked the start of a fresh beginning for the Scottish youngster. Sadly, this wasn’t the case. After the traumatic events of her very early childhood – and years of abuse at the hands of her brutal foster family – Monica is left with serious psychological scars that will haunt her for decades. It’s only years later that she finds the strength to channel her experiences into a positive force for others.
I’m not going to lie; this is no light read. It’s traumatic, it’s heartbreaking, it’s chilling. Just when you think things can’t get any worse, be prepared to be drawn further into the darkness that is Monica Allan’s childhood. Unthinkable acts of abuse are told explicitly through the eyes of an innocent child, and so many passages will move you to tears or have you shouting out loud at those who could (and should) have done more to protect such a vulnerable little girl.
But be prepared too for a story about resilience. A story about the special friends and family who remind Monica that she is always loved, those who offer a glimmer of hope in the worst of times. And despite being let down by the people who should have loved her the most, this tragic memoir reminds us that it’s never too late to stand up, speak up and fight for justice. What an important, powerful story Abandoned is – not just for victims of abuse, but for everyone.
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
| Other Genres: |
