No Language But a Cry

by Richard Anthony D'Ambrosio

“Full and deep and immensely moving . . . a standout shocker.”— Library Journal

The child called Laura was the worst case Dr. Richard D’Ambrosio had ever encountered. As a toddler, she had been held in a frying pan and horribly burned. Now she was twelve, labeled schizophrenic, and housed in a gloomy institution run by Catholic nuns. Scarred physically and emotionally, she had never spoken a word. But the Sisters believed she would speak—if they could find someone to unlock the terrifying memories that kept her mute.

That person was Dr. D’Ambrosio. Here, in an unforgettable story of professional skill and human courage, he records his rescue of that one little girl.  No Language But a Cry has transcended its status as immensely interesting case history to become an incomparable testament to the awesome power of faith and love.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Biography, Memoir, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Abuse

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this too many decades ago to give it a proper review, but the fact that it still moves me when I think of how affecting it is speaks volumes to its quiet power. The subject matter, as we learn more details, is a look at darkness nearly unimaginable to most human beings with an once of compassion.

It is nearly a miracle recorded on paper; a miracle of kindness and perseverance and hope; a miracle of light overcoming darkness; a miracle of goodness overcoming evil; and a miracle of hope overcoming despair and trauma so horrific, success did not seem possible.

I don't recall it as being weighted down by medical terms or psychology, but geared more towards the average person. I may in fact have been a teenager when I read this, it's been so long ago.

No Language But a Cry, if you can find it today, is a testament to the human spirit, and a reminder to never give up on a person, no matter how bleak their prospect of recovery. It is a book about love and kindness and the dedication of one man trying to help against all odds. Even all these years later, I highly recommend it.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured my attention from the very first chapter to the very last, I read it in the sixth grade. For me to read was very unusual because I never found a book that interested me enough to read past the first chapter.

It was a very heart wrenching story that I'll never forget, I wondered in amazement how a mother could be so cruel that she would harm her own child & do something so terrible that would forever change the life of this innocent victim. This was such a traumatic experience to this child and no one ever took the time to try to reach out to her until this one person stepped up to break through the barriers this child had shielded herself with at such a very young age.

This was a real tear jerker for me that I’ll forever remember.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written in 1970. I remember hearing about it way back then but I never read it until now. The child, Laura, who is the subject of this book, suffered beatings and being burned alive in a frying pan at the hands of her parents while she was a baby. So hard to comprehend how anyone can hurt a sweet baby. Laura spent the next 11 years existing first in a hospital then in an institution for troubled girls, never speaking or interacting with anyone and being written off as hopeless. Dr. D'Ambrosio decided to try and help this poor, injured child and dedicated 6 years working with her. He and the nuns who run the institution where Laura lives showed such amazing patience and perseverance and never gave up on this child. This is a story of sadness, hope, kindness and love. I would be very interested to find out what happened to Laura after she turned 18 and left the care of the nuns and made her way in the world.

[Kris Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago but have always wanted to read it again. Just cant find it. It was a very good book but, just a warning, its hard to read. Emotional and shocking, sad and terrifying that someone could do this to a child. Their own child. Keep tissues handy if you read it

[Elly Plat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1 adem...gewéldig, levensecht verhaal!

[Hafid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura bent ṣġira ɛašet ḥyat ntaɛ mɛanya, ḍulm w ḥogra. Ɛanet f had el-denya qedd ma yɛani el-ɛessekri f el-ḥerb. El-ferq binathum huwa belli el-ɛessekri ɛla balu win rah w weš rahu mestennih.

Laura, ki kanet ġurnyana, mulat ɛamin, daruha waldiha fi meqla't zit ḥamya (sxuna). El-twaġ elli xrej men hadak el-fumm f hadik el-saɛa hewwel rwaḥ w ṭerreš el-wednin elli ma bġawš yssemɛu men qbel.

Waldin Laura kanu nas sukarjiya ɛendhum mašakil nefsiya tɛermet ḥetta wellaw mɛa el-weqt b ḥal el-wḥuš mɛa benthum w ġirhum. Ḥyathum ma kanetš sahla w el-ḍuruf rrejɛethum weš wellaw: bniyadem yɛaniw men skizofrenya qaṣḥa ma wellawš mɛaha yfferzu bin el-ṣeḥḥ w el-xyal.

Kima kan el-ḥal, ɛašet Laura beɛdma ma sselkuha el-jwarin m el-mut w ki nqulu el-mut, nehheḍru hnaya ɛla el-mut ntaɛ el-kor dyalha. Laura kebret w elli yšufha yeḥseb jetta (kadavr) rahi temši: weṣleṭ l tleṭṭaš (13) n’ ɛam w hiya ma tetkellem w la tetɛaṭa mɛa el-nas: w la ḥetta b tebsima.

Richard d’Ambrosio, jabtu ḍuruf beš yetlaqa mɛa mra elli xellatu yehtem l el-ḥkaya ntaɛ Laura. Richard huwa mexteṣ f ɛelm el-nefs w ɛfes ɛla ruḥu w ɛla el-‘ananiya ntaɛu beš yɛawen had el-bent. Ḥetta waḥed ma kan yeqder ysalu beṣṣaḥ šaf belli kayen ši bniyadem meḥtajin mɛawna kter men nas waḥdxurin w b el-xuṣuṣ el-nas elli mexṣuṣin drahem w jáyin men ṭebqa’t el-nas el-zawaliya.

Telt snin w Richard ysaɛef f had el-bnita elli ṣber mɛaha ṣber waseɛ ḥetta elli wella yšekk la yeqder ṣeḥḥ yɛawenha wella lla. Ṣɛiba ki tetɛamel mɛa mriḍ ma yetfaɛelš mɛak w ma teqderš tqeyyem el-fayda ntaɛ el-mdawya w weš rak tjerreb mɛah.

Gaɛ kima n’ hak, ma bġaš yeqṭeɛ el-yas w kemmel mɛaha ḥetta elli men xelɛa w xuf wellat el-bnita tɛawed tdir el-tiqa f el-ṭbib w f ši ɛibad f had el-denya elli wellat tsemmiha: ġaba't el-wḥuš.

Hada telxiṣ ntaɛ ḥyat mɛanya w ɛdabat el-ruḥ. Mɛa el-ktab, tetkaka mɛa kul ṣṭer weš hadik el-malayka kanet ḥamla w rafda ɛla ktafha w fi ruḥha: weš el-jbal ma teḥḥemluš.

Laura ma ɛerfetš weš daru fiha waldiha w Richard zad ṭbeɛ el-rwaya ki tqasem mɛana had el-ḥkaya el-ḥeqqaniya w el-texmimat ntaɛu elli ysalu qelb el-qelb ntaɛ kul bnadem yeḥseb ruḥu bnadem.

Ḥetta zeɛfan, Richard tfada yeḥkem ɛla el-nas w ɛla waldin Laura. Šḥal men ɛdab yxebbi ɛdabat waḥduxrin, ki nḥewsu neffehmu sbab had “el-ɛwej”.

Beṣṣaḥ el-xra ntaɛ el-denya lazem yneqqiweh ɛibad mši kima el-'uxrin: ḍaḥaya sabqin w ṣḥabhum kima Richard elli meqtanɛin belli el-mḍerra ma teṣraš ġir l el-‘uxrin.

[Hafid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura bent ṣġira ɛašet ḥyat ntaɛ mɛanya, ḍulm w ḥogra. Ɛanet f had el-denya qedd ma yɛani el-ɛessekri f el-ḥerb. El-ferq binathum huwa belli el-ɛessekri ɛla balu win rah w weš rahu mestennih.

Laura, ki kanet ġurnyana, mulat ɛamin, daruha waldiha fi meqla't zit ḥamya (sxuna). El-twaġ elli xrej men hadak el-fumm f hadik el-saɛa hewwel rwaḥ w ṭerreš el-wednin elli ma bġawš yssemɛu men qbel.

Waldin Laura kanu nas sukarjiya ɛendhum mašakil nefsiya tɛermet ḥetta wellaw mɛa el-weqt b ḥal el-wḥuš mɛa benthum w ġirhum. Ḥyathum ma kanetš sahla w el-ḍuruf rrejɛethum weš wellaw: bniyadem yɛaniw men skizofrenya qaṣḥa ma wellawš mɛaha yfferzu bin el-ṣeḥḥ w el-xyal.

Kima kan el-ḥal, ɛašet Laura beɛdma ma sselkuha el-jwarin m el-mut w ki nqulu el-mut, nehheḍru hnaya ɛla el-mut ntaɛ el-kor dyalha. Laura kebret w elli yšufha yeḥseb jetta (kadavr) rahi temši: weṣleṭ l tleṭṭaš (13) n’ ɛam w hiya ma tetkellem w la tetɛaṭa mɛa el-nas: w la ḥetta b tebsima.

Richard d’Ambrosio, jabtu ḍuruf beš yetlaqa mɛa mra elli xellatu yehtem l el-ḥkaya ntaɛ Laura. Richard huwa mexteṣ f ɛelm el-nefs w ɛfes ɛla ruḥu w ɛla el-‘ananiya ntaɛu beš yɛawen had el-bent. Ḥetta waḥed ma kan yeqder ysalu beṣṣaḥ šaf belli kayen ši bniyadem meḥtajin mɛawna kter men nas waḥdxurin w b el-xuṣuṣ el-nas elli mexṣuṣin drahem w jáyin men ṭebqa’t el-nas el-zawaliya.

Telt snin w Richard ysaɛef f had el-bnita elli ṣber mɛaha ṣber waseɛ ḥetta elli wella yšekk la yeqder ṣeḥḥ yɛawenha wella lla. Ṣɛiba ki tetɛamel mɛa mriḍ ma yetfaɛelš mɛak w ma teqderš tqeyyem el-fayda ntaɛ el-mdawya w weš rak tjerreb mɛah.

Gaɛ kima n’ hak, ma bġaš yeqṭeɛ el-yas w kemmel mɛaha ḥetta elli men xelɛa w xuf wellat el-bnita tɛawed tdir el-tiqa f el-ṭbib w f ši ɛibad f had el-denya elli wellat tsemmiha: ġaba't el-wḥuš.

Hada telxiṣ ntaɛ ḥyat mɛanya w ɛdabat el-ruḥ. Mɛa el-ktab, tetkaka mɛa kul ṣṭer weš hadik el-malayka kanet ḥamla w rafda ɛla ktafha w fi ruḥha: weš el-jbal ma teḥḥemluš.

Laura ma ɛerfetš weš daru fiha waldiha w Richard zad ṭbeɛ el-rwaya ki tqasem mɛana had el-ḥkaya el-ḥeqqaniya w el-texmimat ntaɛu elli ysalu qelb el-qelb ntaɛ kul bnadem yeḥseb ruḥu bnadem.

Ḥetta zeɛfan, Richard tfada yeḥkem ɛla el-nas w ɛla waldin Laura. Šḥal men ɛdab yxebbi ɛdabat waḥduxrin, ki nḥewsu neffehmu sbab had “el-ɛwej”.

Beṣṣaḥ el-xra ntaɛ el-denya lazem yneqqiweh ɛibad mši kima el-'uxrin: ḍaḥaya sabqin w ṣḥabhum kima Richard elli meqtanɛin belli el-mḍerra ma teṣraš ġir l el-‘uxrin.

[Catherine Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been interested in and fascinated with human psychology. Learning about the human mind is very helpful in understanding people around us.

'No Language But a Cry' is a beautifully-written, powerful book. Many parts were moving and interesting, and the story was very engaging. You cannot help but feel for Laura throughout the book and hope for the best. I applaud the author and the institution nuns for devoting their time and lives to help Laura.

I highly recommend this book to all who love learning about humanity and love.

5/5

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and inspiring tribute to human survival--this memoir of a psychologist tells the story of a girl as an infant fried in a frying pan by abusive parents. Her trauma has left her to grow up not speaking, barely able to get around, raised by kind nuns in an orphanage. The nuns appeal to the psychologist to help the girl--and this book is his account of the girl's triumph over circumstances that should have kept her a victim, but instead make her an inspiring example. VERY positive.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me hooked from beginning to end. Beautifully written. Some of the psychologist's methods are outdated by today's treatment standards, however, he is still able to help a severely abused young girl living in a group home run by nuns.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So touching, so trajic. Tear jerker for sure.

[Sarah Eyweah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Book description:
The child called Laura was the worst case Dr. Richard D'Ambrosio had ever encountered. As a toddler, she had been held in a frying pan and horribly burned. Now she was twelve, labeled schizophrenic, and housed in a gloomy institution run by Catholic nuns. Scarred physically and emotionally, she had never spoken a word. But the Sisters believed she would speak--if they could find someone to unlock the terrifying memories that kept her mute.
That person was Dr. D'Ambrosio. Here, in an unforgettable story of professional skill and human courage, he records his rescue of that one little girl. No Language But a Cry has transcended its status as immensely interesting case history to become an incomparable testament to the awesome power of faith and love.

Quick review:
This is an autobiography and I am just not into them... However, this book... Geez. It changed my point of view about a couple of stuff and I know that this heartbreaking story will forever live in my soul for some reason. It had some triggers, so I don't recommend to those who are light hearted, but if you're not, it's a must read. Reading that book definitely changed my point of view about some stuff like I mentioned, and it's just so hard not to spoil anything, but watching how the events are held up together in the perfect harmony of life just just hits different. And to me, the moral of the story is to never give up no matter how much time it takes and no matter what life throws your way. It's only a matter of time, before everything gets better and we meet the end of the very dark tormenting tunnel.

[R Magura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband found this book in a used bookstore yesterday, so I decided to read it. It is excellently written and very captivating. Though based off tragic events, the book is full of hope and shows the resiliency of a human soul and what a little bit of hope, love, and patience can accomplish. It does what so few stories do: it not only focused on the child's story, but also examines the abusive parents and what happened to make them treat their own child the way that they did.

[Linda Faurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mental health is a topic that is close to my heart, and this book takes a deep dive into one doctor’s mission to help one child who is entangled in its web. Medicine and techniques have come a long way since 1970 when this book was written, but today’s society would do well to learn from the perseverance and dedication of Dr. D’Ambrosio and the nuns in this story, and how their simple kindness completely altered the trajectory of Laura’s life. A beautiful story.

[Debbi Daniels Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in 1972 as a Freshman in High School and it was heartbreaking but gave hope. It has stuck with me all these years. Now as I just re-read it as a 60s plus Mother I see the journey as not just hope but the message is clear, kindness heals. This is a wonderful read of the true account of the Doctor and team that cared and used their knowledge and instincts to heal. Highly recommend this quick read.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book popped a lot of "innocence bubbles" for me. I realized that not all parents are fit to be parents, yet still make choices to be ones. I also realized that emotional damage can be more scarring than physical damage. It left a profound impact on me, that's for sure.

[Vanita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vielleicht eher 3,5 Sterne.
Obwohl der Autor für meinen Geschmack manchmal zu sehr von sich selbst eingenommen ist und einiges inzwischen überholt sein mag, ist es eine rührende und inspirierende Geschichte von Menschen, die sich selbstlos für benachteiligte Kinder einsetzen.

[Cindy Geno · Rating 3 out of 5]

#13 A book by or about a person who had a disability #51 A book about a difficult topic

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. The subject is very heavy but ultimately a very uplifting book in many ways.

[Yue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly admirable. The patience and determination of the doctor, and the love of the nuns O_O

[cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in high school. It isn't an easy subject at all. It was hard to read what was done to this poor child but it was worth reading.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a preteen, then again several times as an adult. Its been many years since I read the book, yet it stays with me. It was my first encounter with horrific childhood abuse and what I pulled from the book was that there is hope. Hope that one can rise above the darkness of the past, if there is appropriate support and intervention. It also showed me that power of the human spirit as the young girl refused to let life defeat her and came through with such a solid loving spirit as an adult. I look back on the book and realize that in many ways, the adults who intervened in her life and the doctor who worked with her for years were ahead of their time because rather than shutting her away, they saw inside a wonderful spirit. It was very well written and I appreciated that the doctor was able to not only document the therapy journey, he was also able to follow her through to adulthood.

[Elaine Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura is a child who was abused horribly as an infant and has been placed in an Institution with other seemingly abandoned children. At the age of twelve she still has yet to speak a word, and even though her case seems to be hopeless, the nuns of whom she is a charge, refuse to give up their faith in her.
A doctor who happens to be a psychiatrist is taken on a tour of the Institution by a friend of his, a social worker. After visiting all the children he decided that he wanted to work with Laura to see if he could find the girl inside of the shell.
I quote Dr. Silvano Arieti, psychiatrist,from the back of the book:
"Is this a piece of poetry? A song of human love and solidarity? An accurate report of a medical triumph? It is all of this at once, an account of almost unbelievable pain and almost unbelievable final joy."
I enjoyed this book even though it brought tears to my eyes in many places; tears of pain, sadness and of joy.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1970 book is a case study of an analyst working with a young girl who had been burned in a frying pan by her parents when she was about one year old. Both parents were mentally ill, and she ended up living in an institution in New York run by Catholic nuns. The analyst gets "volunteered" to at least visit the institution, and becomes fascinated by the case of this young mute girl, Laura. The story follows her therapy, recovery, and the faith, perseverance, and wiliness of the nuns in getting her several surgeries that she needs, as well as their interventions when she ages out of the system.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this, I though about how much has changed in the world since Laura was treated. A doctor smoking while treating his patient - one that is terrified of fire and matches really surprised me. This book shows the power we have to help our fellow human beings.

I loved the faith of the nuns and of D'Ambrosio. They never gave up.

While treatment for mental illnesses has gotten better, we still have a way to go.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book in paperback form many years ago (like back in the 60's) from someone as a joke because of the similarity to my husband's name. It was a powerful book that has stayed with me all these years and involves child abuse in its worse form. I had nightmares for a few years after reading it and again after I had my children. The human capacity to hurt and maim are boundless.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this true story, it was sad to read about all that had happened to this little child so early in life. How could someone do this to another human being? As I read, there there was so much success and happiness and discovery that took place that you couldn't help but to be Laura's cheerleader and hope it would all turn out ok.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in high school -- believe it or not, it was assigned reading in my class (1988). I've held onto the book all these years, but I haven't re-read it until now. All I can say is that I can't believe I wouldn't have remembered how gruesome the abuse is that this young girl suffered (It's a true account). Maybe because I am now a parent? I'm on chapter 6, I think.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this, I thought it might be boring. But it was far from boring. I read it when I was in grade 7 or 8, and still remember how horrified I was by the idea of a parent trying to fry their baby in a frying pan... The story of the little girl's survival and psychological healing is really amazing.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot describe how amazing this book is. It is a true story of a young girl who has endured horrific abuse from her parents and is written by the psychiatrist who treats her. This book is a truly riveting reading experience. I first read this book ten years ago and it has continued to be one of my favorites.