The Boy in the Cellar
Description of book
Stephen Smith is the boy who did not exist.
Born out of wedlock in the early 1960s, Steve's parents hid him away from the world by locking him in the cellar...for thirteen years.
Starved and beaten, the little boy's world was a darkened room that measured just eight feet by ten with a single makeshift bed, 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 and block out the physical and mental torture inflicted on him by his brutal father. 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.
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.
The Boy in the Cellar is 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.
Ratings & reviews
4.6
★★★★☆113 ratings
Unforgettable · Dark · Eye-opener
4.6
★★★★☆89 ratings
Perfect match
- Absolutely gripping from start to finish.
Julie
Heartbreaking and yet heartwarming
I’d love to shake Stephen’s hand as he is an incredible example of triumphing over extreme and catastrophic abuse.
Highly recommendBook★5
Narration★5
- Amazing courage! Great book although hard to hear the things stephen went through.
Lisa
Book★5
Narration★5
- Just wow!
Lewis
Book★5
Narration★5
- Fabulous read
Kelly
Book★5
Narration★5
Reviews are written only by people that have an active subscription and have rated the book, no additional verification is conducted.
Fill your life with stories
from €6.99/month
Enjoy a world of audiobooks and e-books. No commitments. Cancel at any time.
