Never Call Me Mummy Again

by Peter Kilby

Peter was just a toddler when his mother died tragically, having tried to abort a child that they simply couldn't look after. In rural Gloucestershire in the early 1940s, Peter's family lived in poverty. It wasn't long before his father introduced a new woman into their lives, his mistress Flossie. On meeting her, Peter made a mistake; he called her 'Mummy'. Dragged outside, trampled on and shouted at, Peter never made that mistake again.

Thus began a childhood of terrible abuse from which Peter tried time and again to run away. The arrival of a new sister, who was treated like a princess, only served to intensify the harm directed towards Peter. After running away one time too many, Flossie pulled Peter into the bedroom that he shared with his brothers and sister and committed an act of unforgivable evil. It didn't end there though - the catalogue of cruelties continued until, finally, Peter was able to escape for good.

In this, his heart-breaking yet profoundly moving and ultimately uplifting memoir, Peter recounts a childhood like no other and a stepmother from hell.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Biography, Memoir, Abuse

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me.

Life story of a man who from very early age suffered unthinkable abuse.The worst thing people who should love and nourish him hurt him the most.I'm glad he got good ending and family he deserved,mad that there was no punishment for abusers.

[Maureen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving emotional read

Well written life story from a man who survived a very disturbing childhood, not protected by the very people who should have moved heaven and earth to protect and love him.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most stories about abuse are hard to read because the person telling the stories focus on the pain, but here is Peter Kilby telling his story as he internalizes his abusive experience and that is what made this book really readable. It is cleanly written with a sprinkle of poetic prose making it an enjoyable read despite the pain that oozes out of the pages. It’s humane and that makes this book an excellent read.

[Karyn Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most books of this nature I found Don't call me mummy again, heart wrenching, engrossing and quite frankly un-put-downable. had it not been for the fact I had to work today I would have finished it a lot sooner than midnight.

The tale flows in a away that made absolute sense to me, which made this an extremely easy going read for me. Kilby's story is no doubt horrific and soul destroying and I can only try to fathom how he could of survived those horrific and barbaric punishments. I have a distinct disdain for his elder siblings who from what was written did little to stop the treatment that seemed to be reserved solely for peter. I understand the need for self preservation and perhaps it's just me but if I was a child with a sibling who was a toddler, I'd have the courage enough to try and stop the punishment even if it meant those beatings would be thrust upon me.

A truly remarkable man, even more so for having the courage to put his tale onto paper.

[Laura jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

i often read these true life books but this book shook me to the core i started out will just read a chapter at bedtime and then i had to read til i finish it i have read lots of books relating childhood trauma but how this man survived is beyond me. the abuse he suffered and the subsequent impact on the rest of his life was unbelievable my heart ached when i read of the people he put faith in and let him down in various ways i was beyond tears i felt angry sad disbelief and empathy

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have massive respect for Peter Kilby! What an incredibly brave man to share his tragic story about a heart-wrenchingly sad childhood and how he’s learned that love far outweighs hate. His story is very interesting, bittersweet and well-written, and I’m so glad that his life is now a happy one with his new family.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 2 out of 5]

True story of a child abused by father and step mother if you can call them that. Picked up as quick read although narration isnt the best and took longer to read than I thought. Sad story but happy ending. x

[Shirley Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wouldn't be a natural book choice for me as it is non-fiction but it was passed on by a friend and I found it both an easy read and an agonisingly hard read in equal measure. Easy because it flows beautifully and the narrator's voice is clear and spares us little but hard because of the relentlessness of his suffering.
I fear although it is about the 40s, 50s and 60s that much child cruelty continues today and that there are still plenty living in fear as Peter did. He deserves the love he has found in later life. It may not take long to read the book but I think its message remains for much longer.

[Clare Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read what that poor little boy went through is disgusting especially from his father and step mother no child should suffer like that

[Manu Adaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, sad one but carefully crafted. Especially last 3 chapters.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first autobiography I read and all I can say is I wasn’t left disappointed this was truly a moving story and left me engrossed the entire way through!

[Hani Yahaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was about Peter who was just a toddler when his mother died tragically. His family lived in poverty. It wasn't long before his father introduced a new woman to their lives, his mistress Flossie. When Peter met her, he made a huge mistake that changed his life 360 degree when he called her 'Mummy'. He was abused and tortured; physically and mentally by her. Living in horrific experiences at such young age, he kept running away from his home and also the children's homes. This was a heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting memoir of Peter's childhood.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a classic example of telling and not showing. It started off interesting enough, but about halfway through it lost whatever spark it may have had, and toward the end it was a struggle to finish it. It is a boring book, sorry to be so blunt, but it is. Of course I have sympathy for this man and his story, but the way he told it was not good.

[Fen'Harel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely heartbreaking biography about being abused a child. What this family put him through was disgusting.
The siblings don't deserve to know him, even though I read they tried to wheedle into his life a few times. Get rid of that baggage and tell them to get lost!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving story.

Glad he's overcome most of it, though I still understand what he goes through on a regular basis.

[Charmaine Golder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry, no child should have to go through any of that