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Mummy from Hell
My brother Patrick remembers my first beating, of which I assume I was completely unaware. He was just five years old when he watched our mother punching herself again and again in her pregnant stomach while shouting at the top of her voice, 'I don't want this fucking child!'Ken and Patrick Doyle grew up in a family of nine children. For sixteen years their home was a place of suffering. Behind the doors of their ordinary, three-bedroomed house they were subjected to deprivation, cruelty and humiliation at the hands of the one person who should have loved and protected them - their own mother. Starved, savagely beaten, locked up for days on end and sent out to steal, their story is a catalogue of abuse. Yet, despite numerous official reports of abuse from social workers and health boards, their suffering continued ... In Mummy from Hell, the victims tell the horrifying true story of their childhood and how they survived it.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 9, 2017
The title of this book says it all because Ken And Patrick Doyle's mother was exactly that, a mummy from hell. How a mother can treat her children the way she did is beyond me.
Ken and Patrick endured sixteen years of pure torture from their mother and reading about the way she treated them on a daily basis was heartbreaking to say the least. After reading this book you are left wondering how did such young boys with stand the beatings, humiliation and the pain and suffering and why was this allowed to go on for so long.
This was not an enjoyable read, but one that opens your eyes up to just what happens to abused children and the impact of the physical and mental scars it leaves on them for life. This is not an easy book to read, but if you have an interest in reading true stories, then I suggest you give this book a go.
Ken and Patrick endured sixteen years of pure torture from their mother and reading about the way she treated them on a daily basis was heartbreaking to say the least. After reading this book you are left wondering how did such young boys with stand the beatings, humiliation and the pain and suffering and why was this allowed to go on for so long.
This was not an enjoyable read, but one that opens your eyes up to just what happens to abused children and the impact of the physical and mental scars it leaves on them for life. This is not an easy book to read, but if you have an interest in reading true stories, then I suggest you give this book a go.
May 4, 2017
Mummy From Hell is a terribly sad story about two Irish boys Ken and Patrick Doyle who was treated poorly by their Mother. Ken and Patrick 's father went to live in the USA to find work, and while he was away, Ken and Patrick were bashed, starved and taught to steal for their Mum. Ken and Patrick still fighting the Irish government to recognise their abuse by their Mother.
Readers of Mummy From Hell will be surprised and sadden that still; children are abuse without authorities doing anything about it. Also, readers will be shocked by what happened to Ken and Patrick in Irish institutions and will need to have a box of tissues next to their chair in case they cry, like me.
Reading Mummy From Hell, I learnt about child abuse and how it affects the rest of their lives. Writing Mummy From Hell must have been hard for Ken and Patrick to write, however, I am pleased that they did. I hope their story will help another child to see that they are not alone and can speak out.
If you like to read non-fiction books about child abuse, I recommend this book.
Readers of Mummy From Hell will be surprised and sadden that still; children are abuse without authorities doing anything about it. Also, readers will be shocked by what happened to Ken and Patrick in Irish institutions and will need to have a box of tissues next to their chair in case they cry, like me.
Reading Mummy From Hell, I learnt about child abuse and how it affects the rest of their lives. Writing Mummy From Hell must have been hard for Ken and Patrick to write, however, I am pleased that they did. I hope their story will help another child to see that they are not alone and can speak out.
If you like to read non-fiction books about child abuse, I recommend this book.
October 12, 2011
Whoa. I thought I had read it all. I thought I couldn't be shocked. After you read and open your eyes in other ways to all of the different kinds of abuse affecting our children and animals today you kind of just figure you can't hear anything new. You - and I - figure wrong.
This is, by far, one of the most horrendous cases of child abuse I've ever had the displeasure to read about. This woman wasn't sick. This woman was evil. Nothing more, nothing less. She deserves to be taken to the town square, pissed on and tortured and then shot like the piece of trash she is. And I would feel the same if someone told me right now that she's still alive and 98 years old. She still deserves that.
There are so many things that make this case worse but I'll just name the biggest ones that come to mind. One, the piece of shit "father" these boys had. This bastard knew what was happening and left, time after time after time, to let them deal with it. In his defense, it seems he tried to get help for them. I use that term loosely however. If I knew my children were being beaten and tortured by their so called father I would immediately remove them from the home. I don't care if I had to rob a bank, go underground to leave the country, whatever. I would do that. Hopefully I'd be able to get them away from the person and then go to helpful authorities. But, if I wasn't getting help I'd do it on my own. To know this was going on, look for help and have it refused and then to turn your back, to me, is just as bad and never doing anything in the first place.
On top of all of this, when these two brothers were finally grown they dealt with the kinds of emotional and other types of abuse excepting physical that no one should ever have to deal with. Their father repeatedly - REPEATEDLY - stole everything one brother had. At least twice he convinced him he wanted to begin a new relationship with him, had him sell all of his belongings and move to another COUNTRY and then take his shit and leave. Can anyone imagine being a young man in a strange country with nothing? His father told him to come to America, that he (Ken) had a job waiting for him. His son arrives, gives all of the money he had in the world to his father to exchange for American currency and then finds his "father" sent it to his "mother". He handed him five dollars. Then he has the balls to tell him there is no job and oh, by the way, you can't work because you're here illegally.
They used these boys up, over and over and over and over. Honestly, it's a miracle they're even still alive. Most people would have killed themselves.
I want to know why the relatives, neighbors, teachers, doctors, counselors, police, store owners where they stole out of the trash cans, friends parents, EVERYONE, I want to know why EVERYONE turned their heads. Maybe if kids who have to live with this abuse pick up a few machine guns and go blasting in public, killing people left and right, maybe then people would listen. Would that work? Is that what it takes?
I don't know if this monster (monsters I should say) are still alive but if they are, and I don't care how old, how decrepit, they are, I'd see if there is any way at all to charge them to the full extent of the law. Then I'd follow through with it. I'd make sure whatever I could do to them was done. Then I'd laugh in their faces.
I literally feel like my heart is breaking when I think about what these boys had to go through. What these men are still going through. Imagine living that kind of life. We can't. I can't and I read their story in their own words.
I hope writing this helped them get past some of the demons. They deserve every single happiness known to this earth. Yet the way our world works, especially the good old U.S.A., they'll continue to get shitted on while the criminals live the easy life. Makes sense, doesn't it?
The only reason I didn't rate this five stars was because there is no ending. We don't find out what happens to his "mother". Beyond her story being told against her wishes with this book that is. I also would have liked some pictures, even a few. There is a small pic each of Ken and Patrick Doyle but that's it. I'd have liked to see this monsters face personally.
This is, by far, one of the most horrendous cases of child abuse I've ever had the displeasure to read about. This woman wasn't sick. This woman was evil. Nothing more, nothing less. She deserves to be taken to the town square, pissed on and tortured and then shot like the piece of trash she is. And I would feel the same if someone told me right now that she's still alive and 98 years old. She still deserves that.
There are so many things that make this case worse but I'll just name the biggest ones that come to mind. One, the piece of shit "father" these boys had. This bastard knew what was happening and left, time after time after time, to let them deal with it. In his defense, it seems he tried to get help for them. I use that term loosely however. If I knew my children were being beaten and tortured by their so called father I would immediately remove them from the home. I don't care if I had to rob a bank, go underground to leave the country, whatever. I would do that. Hopefully I'd be able to get them away from the person and then go to helpful authorities. But, if I wasn't getting help I'd do it on my own. To know this was going on, look for help and have it refused and then to turn your back, to me, is just as bad and never doing anything in the first place.
On top of all of this, when these two brothers were finally grown they dealt with the kinds of emotional and other types of abuse excepting physical that no one should ever have to deal with. Their father repeatedly - REPEATEDLY - stole everything one brother had. At least twice he convinced him he wanted to begin a new relationship with him, had him sell all of his belongings and move to another COUNTRY and then take his shit and leave. Can anyone imagine being a young man in a strange country with nothing? His father told him to come to America, that he (Ken) had a job waiting for him. His son arrives, gives all of the money he had in the world to his father to exchange for American currency and then finds his "father" sent it to his "mother". He handed him five dollars. Then he has the balls to tell him there is no job and oh, by the way, you can't work because you're here illegally.
They used these boys up, over and over and over and over. Honestly, it's a miracle they're even still alive. Most people would have killed themselves.
I want to know why the relatives, neighbors, teachers, doctors, counselors, police, store owners where they stole out of the trash cans, friends parents, EVERYONE, I want to know why EVERYONE turned their heads. Maybe if kids who have to live with this abuse pick up a few machine guns and go blasting in public, killing people left and right, maybe then people would listen. Would that work? Is that what it takes?
I don't know if this monster (monsters I should say) are still alive but if they are, and I don't care how old, how decrepit, they are, I'd see if there is any way at all to charge them to the full extent of the law. Then I'd follow through with it. I'd make sure whatever I could do to them was done. Then I'd laugh in their faces.
I literally feel like my heart is breaking when I think about what these boys had to go through. What these men are still going through. Imagine living that kind of life. We can't. I can't and I read their story in their own words.
I hope writing this helped them get past some of the demons. They deserve every single happiness known to this earth. Yet the way our world works, especially the good old U.S.A., they'll continue to get shitted on while the criminals live the easy life. Makes sense, doesn't it?
The only reason I didn't rate this five stars was because there is no ending. We don't find out what happens to his "mother". Beyond her story being told against her wishes with this book that is. I also would have liked some pictures, even a few. There is a small pic each of Ken and Patrick Doyle but that's it. I'd have liked to see this monsters face personally.
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January 15, 2013This true story really and truly shocked me beyond belief. Growing up with my mother being a senior social worker in the Child Protection department I was always reminded of the abuse that takes place behind many closed front doors but after reading this account from the Doyle's I put my hand up and say this has to be the worse case of child abuse I have ever come across. I have read shocking and gob smacking stories but this story was an account of sheer suffering and victimization. I, as a reader was confused on why this abuse took place so how on earth did Patrick and ken Doyle feel experiencing it? I felt pure confusion for the victim's because they were never really told by the beast who bore them 'why' they encountered such horrific treatment.
They received a lifetime of agony from the one's who were supposed to be loving protecting and nurturing them into adulthood as parent's should. I read on and on waiting for the end to share the conclusion that the parents in the end were submitted to an humiliating, degrading, hard core punishment for their beyond humane crimes to be left with nothing.
They were never charged which left me baffled and even more confused. After finding the brave and strong Doyle's facebook page I came across pictures of them as adults striving to live life the best way they can and they even shared picture's of their abusing parents who wore evil on their ace like normal decent people wear and bare their eyes, nose and mouth on their faces.
They, in this world got away with it. The mother did not even have the action of saying a mere 'sorry' with her own filthy mouth before she died and passed a message on through her priest to them which further made me thankful that I do believe in an afterlife and have faith she and their vile father will be dealt with justly inevitably with the Lord who always brings things to account. I have not rated with stars because their is nothing I liked about this story, it wasn't amazing I didn't think it was okay and I didn't dislike it. This is a book based on real lives that experiences real pain and no book star rating is worthy of the respect I have for Patrick and Ken Doyle for having the courage to share such intimacies of their childhood that have affected their adulthood and I pray they find contentment and peace after such madness.
They received a lifetime of agony from the one's who were supposed to be loving protecting and nurturing them into adulthood as parent's should. I read on and on waiting for the end to share the conclusion that the parents in the end were submitted to an humiliating, degrading, hard core punishment for their beyond humane crimes to be left with nothing.
They were never charged which left me baffled and even more confused. After finding the brave and strong Doyle's facebook page I came across pictures of them as adults striving to live life the best way they can and they even shared picture's of their abusing parents who wore evil on their ace like normal decent people wear and bare their eyes, nose and mouth on their faces.
They, in this world got away with it. The mother did not even have the action of saying a mere 'sorry' with her own filthy mouth before she died and passed a message on through her priest to them which further made me thankful that I do believe in an afterlife and have faith she and their vile father will be dealt with justly inevitably with the Lord who always brings things to account. I have not rated with stars because their is nothing I liked about this story, it wasn't amazing I didn't think it was okay and I didn't dislike it. This is a book based on real lives that experiences real pain and no book star rating is worthy of the respect I have for Patrick and Ken Doyle for having the courage to share such intimacies of their childhood that have affected their adulthood and I pray they find contentment and peace after such madness.
January 12, 2011
I had a hard time getting into this one. I did however feel it flow easier with part two. Different writer I guess.
Now on this mother if you can call her that. she is one sick person. Who could do such things to a child? She even beat her unborn fetus..How could you hate the baby before he is even born? At one point one of the boys mentions that she hated just those two children because the looked like their father? She hated her husband so much? wow she seems evil or ill to me. All the hospital papers say their father is the one that took them for treatment. He should have taken those kids to the USA when his sister suggested it. They turned into men who had drinking/drug problems, relationship problems. She ruined their lives..How sad.Then for them to rob their son of everything he owned when he had 7 children to feed..they are just plain evil.
These type books make me hate people. I never thought I would hate anyone. Makes me a BETTER mom though just to read these. I value my children so much. I don't know how anyone could do such things to anyone let alone their own kids.
Now on this mother if you can call her that. she is one sick person. Who could do such things to a child? She even beat her unborn fetus..How could you hate the baby before he is even born? At one point one of the boys mentions that she hated just those two children because the looked like their father? She hated her husband so much? wow she seems evil or ill to me. All the hospital papers say their father is the one that took them for treatment. He should have taken those kids to the USA when his sister suggested it. They turned into men who had drinking/drug problems, relationship problems. She ruined their lives..How sad.Then for them to rob their son of everything he owned when he had 7 children to feed..they are just plain evil.
These type books make me hate people. I never thought I would hate anyone. Makes me a BETTER mom though just to read these. I value my children so much. I don't know how anyone could do such things to anyone let alone their own kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2014
I can't begin to tell you how bad this story is. Not the writing, the story. It's heart breaking.
I finished the book in one sitting and I was left feeling sad and angry. So angry.
The anger came from knowing these despicable parents continued with their manipulative abuse after these boys became teens, and after they left home. Even as men the nightmares are still with them.
More information at the website below, with a photo of their mother and one of their father.
http://home.comcast.net/~cooffaly64/s...
May 27, 2010
this memoir of an abusive childhood reminded so much of Dave Pelzer's A Child Called It. Again I was shocked at how unloving and abusive a mother could be. It did seem that the brothers left out some things that might be a little to personal. When you read their story you will see why I feel this way.
One of the main things that bothered me was the fact that the woman responsible for causing so much pain and permanent damage to two men who by all means should have been perfectly healthy, but had their health destroyed by her was not brought to justice (or at least the book doesn't mention it). There is enough evidence to remove any doubt that the brothers are telling the truth so I can't understand why this woman is not spending her last years of life behind bars.
One of the main things that bothered me was the fact that the woman responsible for causing so much pain and permanent damage to two men who by all means should have been perfectly healthy, but had their health destroyed by her was not brought to justice (or at least the book doesn't mention it). There is enough evidence to remove any doubt that the brothers are telling the truth so I can't understand why this woman is not spending her last years of life behind bars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2011
Was given this book yesterday by a work friend. She knew I had read something similar to this last year and thought I would like this.
OMG what an amazing story. Once I started reading it I couldnt put it down. Such a harrowing story, made worse by the fact that its a true story.
A horrorfying read but well worth the effort.
Some people should never be allowed the privilidge of being a parent, never mind to continue to breed. And after recent press regarding what parents can do to their children it sends a reminder about how screwed up the whole child protection system is.
OMG what an amazing story. Once I started reading it I couldnt put it down. Such a harrowing story, made worse by the fact that its a true story.
A horrorfying read but well worth the effort.
Some people should never be allowed the privilidge of being a parent, never mind to continue to breed. And after recent press regarding what parents can do to their children it sends a reminder about how screwed up the whole child protection system is.
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May 9, 2015I can't give this book a rating because the subject matter is so heartbreaking it is impossible to say I liked it. It saddens and disgusts me that such depraved people exist in our world.
My heart breaks for those two boys (well, now men) that I want to take home and care for as my own.
And now I desperately want to go home and hug my children, and tell them I love them.
A powerful, but very sad, read.
My heart breaks for those two boys (well, now men) that I want to take home and care for as my own.
And now I desperately want to go home and hug my children, and tell them I love them.
A powerful, but very sad, read.
May 1, 2012
If you're a reader of true life stories of triumph over adversity then this book is for you. There will be tears, because it's positively unbearable to think that such cruelty can be meted out to two children by their own mother. Passages of this book have stuck in my head so I can not even imagine how it is for these two men who not only remember these awful, degrading things, but relive them.
March 5, 2011
This book was hard to get through. The description of the abuse made me want to wake up my kids and hug them. I'm sure it was great therapy for the authors to tell their story, but the thought that there are kids that endure similar situations is so depressing that it was difficult to read.
June 22, 2013
This book was both very easy and very difficult to read. Easy because Ken and Patrick are great passionate writers and difficult because of the awful awful awful abuse they endured. What strong beautiful men. It is so sad their lives have been changed forever by their childhood torture.
November 26, 2015
Mother from hell is putting it mildly. She was down right evil. This mother was sadistic and no matter what those boys did, they could not catch a break. That's the book in a nut shell.
August 11, 2016
Need to review shortly.
November 13, 2013
The first true story I've ever read (apart from autobiographies that is) and I loved it. Such a heart-wrenching story and I'm glad Ken and Patrick Doyle's lives have changed for the better.It's such a shame that everyone who knew/suspected what was going on never came forward until their story was published in the paper.
A different read from my usual YA picks but I'm so glad I've broadened my horizons and tried something new. I'll definitely be reading more true stories.
5/5 stars
A different read from my usual YA picks but I'm so glad I've broadened my horizons and tried something new. I'll definitely be reading more true stories.
5/5 stars
July 16, 2019
Compelling, sad and unbelievable
I take my hat off to the authors, Patrick and Ken. They are amazing men and have faced something no adult, let alone child should ever have to face. No words can describe how this story made me feel. Utter disbelief and shock are understatements. I hope that their story will help other children, and I truly hope that they find real happiness and cherish their new lives. Bless them for what they went through, my heart goes out to them.
I take my hat off to the authors, Patrick and Ken. They are amazing men and have faced something no adult, let alone child should ever have to face. No words can describe how this story made me feel. Utter disbelief and shock are understatements. I hope that their story will help other children, and I truly hope that they find real happiness and cherish their new lives. Bless them for what they went through, my heart goes out to them.
July 9, 2016
While deeply saddening(and maddening), this relived story of the brother's childhood, I felt it a bit hard to carry on. This book took me forever to read because I had to keep coming back to it with breaks in between.
I'm sorry they suffered so greatly. I'm sorry that Child Protective Services overlooked what was happening to them. Very sad. Some people should NEVER become parents.
I'm sorry they suffered so greatly. I'm sorry that Child Protective Services overlooked what was happening to them. Very sad. Some people should NEVER become parents.
December 9, 2012
A harrowing read, had me tears more than once. Really well written book. I found a site that is dedicated to the true story of these two boys/men, equipped with more details, actual documents, pictures and such… http://home.comcast.net/~cooffaly64/s...
October 2, 2016
It is chilling to see yet again how the authorities failed them. And to see how social services kept inaccurate records, although that happens a lot.
I am always glad when victims of severe abuse and neglect are able to tell their stories.
I am always glad when victims of severe abuse and neglect are able to tell their stories.
February 9, 2017
Heartbreak
This is a very true but heartbreaking story of two brothers who lived their whole childhood in fear from the woman they called mum, she doesn't deserve that title, she was an animal to her two lads and should be locked up for the rest of her life.
This is a very true but heartbreaking story of two brothers who lived their whole childhood in fear from the woman they called mum, she doesn't deserve that title, she was an animal to her two lads and should be locked up for the rest of her life.
January 21, 2018
A must read
Couldn't put this down...a harrowing read but we'll worth it to get to the end. Having two children myself I can't see how any mother can treat their children like she does in this book.
Couldn't put this down...a harrowing read but we'll worth it to get to the end. Having two children myself I can't see how any mother can treat their children like she does in this book.
September 28, 2018
Very sad 😢
I cried so many times reading this book i have polycystic ovaries i tried 15 years for a child crying every month because i wasn't pregnant then there are human's like this woman and i use the term very loosely she had two wonderful little boys 😕 life isn't fair
I cried so many times reading this book i have polycystic ovaries i tried 15 years for a child crying every month because i wasn't pregnant then there are human's like this woman and i use the term very loosely she had two wonderful little boys 😕 life isn't fair
October 10, 2018
A very gripping read
A truly harrowing life growing up in Ireland and the affect its having as these boys grow into adults. No one helped or interviewed although most suspected what was going on. If this book helps one child escape an abusive family it's all been worth while.
A truly harrowing life growing up in Ireland and the affect its having as these boys grow into adults. No one helped or interviewed although most suspected what was going on. If this book helps one child escape an abusive family it's all been worth while.
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June 20, 2010very good read a great book
August 30, 2011
brilliant read !
January 18, 2012
Excellent book of Ken & Patrick Doyles memoirs of as vicious mother in Ireland. Unbelievable story, yet sadly very true. I feel such hatred for their mother Olive Doyle.
March 2, 2013
well this is the most upsetting book i have ever read, i can only hope that Ken and Patrick can find happiness and peace my heart goes out to both of them. And as for Olive i hope you burn in Hell
May 24, 2013
beautifully written, reminds you to appreciate what you have in life
February 3, 2019
this is heart breaking. I would love to know the outcome of the police investigations. how the 2 little boys survived is amazing and they are so strong to carry on and lead their lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2023
Ken & Patrick Doyle’s memoir Mummy From Hell describes the horrific abuse they suffered, primarily at the hands of their mother, Olive Doyle. They grew up in a family of nine children, and although they behaved no differently from their siblings, they were targeted and subjected to torture daily. They were regularly severely beaten, subjected to extreme humiliation and starved to the point of serious malnourishment. The boys were forced to steal to survive, some of the only opportunities they had to be released from their imprisonment was to steal for their mothers benefit, of both food and material possessions. Their father worked in the USA while they lived with their mother in Ireland, so although he did not witness some of the abuse, he was certainly aware of their mistreatment as they learn. Their immense suffering is a harrowing read and not for the faint hearted, even as the boys grow into adults their trauma is permanent and they continue to suffer with nightmares, PTSD, alcoholism and are unable to form stable and loving relationships because of the aftermath of their childhood. It is unsurprising they’re both still so severely damaged after the level of abuse they suffered. It was also upsetting to read how they were manipulated and taken advantage of as adults, because they still crave a relationship with their parents. They’re screwed over multiple times by their parents, tricking them into moving to America without a green card so they have to work illegally, they steal their belongings and massive chunks of their wages, leaving them dependent on their abusers. Their fight with the Irish government to acknowledge their abuse at the hands of their mother is disheartening, and I didn’t feel like there was a good resolution to this part of the story. I was left unknowing where Ken and Patrick stand with this, however I was pleased to read that their mother was exposed in 2002 as an abuser on the front page of the Sunday World – a bestselling Irish newspaper. I also appreciated their duel perspective novel, flipping between the two boys point of view. I hope writing this novel gave them some sense of peace, knowing that the world now knows how evil their parents are.
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