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Runaway: Wild Child, Working Girl, Survivor
Beaten by her mother and whipped by her stepfather, Emily eventually finds her way into the care system at the age of twelve, and has an abortion after being gang-raped at thirteen. Continuously abused in a sequence of homes, she runs away at sixteen, becomes a prostitute in Soho, and convinces herself she is being punished for killing her baby. But it was never meant to be like that. Adopted at birth in 1956 by a middle-class family, Emily shared a golden childhood with her adopted sister Amy, attending private schools, and enjoying singing and dancing lessons. Things soon changed when Emily's jealous mother came to regard her as a rival. A bored and restless woman, she beat Emily for the first time when she was seven years old and from then on seemed to become addicted to inflicting pain on her daughter.
Despite Emily's father's attempts to protect her, the parental rows grew more malicious, until the mother moved out and remarried a narcissistic widower with alcohol problems and a vicious, bullying temper. The abuse intensified until Emily was placed into voluntary care. And so began a toxic spiral of remand homes, psychiatric hospitals, and sleeping rough. It wasn't long before Emily became a teenage 'working girl', where she was paid to engage in bizarre sadomasochistic acts for perverted clients, including a senior judge and a policeman. It was only when she was almost murdered that she turned her life around. Set principally between 1966 and 1972, Runawaycaptures the sleazy Soho of the period, and the frightening conditions in which many children were kept in care.
Despite Emily's father's attempts to protect her, the parental rows grew more malicious, until the mother moved out and remarried a narcissistic widower with alcohol problems and a vicious, bullying temper. The abuse intensified until Emily was placed into voluntary care. And so began a toxic spiral of remand homes, psychiatric hospitals, and sleeping rough. It wasn't long before Emily became a teenage 'working girl', where she was paid to engage in bizarre sadomasochistic acts for perverted clients, including a senior judge and a policeman. It was only when she was almost murdered that she turned her life around. Set principally between 1966 and 1972, Runawaycaptures the sleazy Soho of the period, and the frightening conditions in which many children were kept in care.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 3, 2024
The Prologue is shocking enough as Emily tells us about her life up to the age of 16. Horrific. She then goes back to her roots in Lancashire, England and being adopted from birth in 1956. Her mother was particularly cruel. Issuing beatings on a constant basis from the age of 7. She dishes out physical and emotional abuse. What a start to life and let me tell you, it does not get any easier or any better for Emily.
This is like an early Martina Cole book but this is factual. Poor Emily just goes from one sexually abusive paedophile to the next. It is so so terrible. Absolutely sickening. The same grooming was happening in 1969 as it is now with young girls in children’s homes. She was 13 years and 2 months old when she was gang-raped by five men and became pregnant.
The book is well written and at times I just did not want to go on to a new chapter as you know something else will happen and that something is never good. What a life if you can call it that.
As a father I could never imagine letting down my daughters like Emily was. My eldest is the same age as Emily when Emily became a fully-fledged prostitute on the streets of Soho and having to perform the most derogatory acts for men who should be locked up. It just sickens me. Nobody should have to go through what Emily went through. Emily was let down by nearly every adult she met. From being adopted at a very young age it just went from bad to worse. The most wretched childhood you can imagine.
She briefly goes over her adult life but that is rushed to the extreme which is a shame as it actually sounds really interesting.
This is like an early Martina Cole book but this is factual. Poor Emily just goes from one sexually abusive paedophile to the next. It is so so terrible. Absolutely sickening. The same grooming was happening in 1969 as it is now with young girls in children’s homes. She was 13 years and 2 months old when she was gang-raped by five men and became pregnant.
The book is well written and at times I just did not want to go on to a new chapter as you know something else will happen and that something is never good. What a life if you can call it that.
As a father I could never imagine letting down my daughters like Emily was. My eldest is the same age as Emily when Emily became a fully-fledged prostitute on the streets of Soho and having to perform the most derogatory acts for men who should be locked up. It just sickens me. Nobody should have to go through what Emily went through. Emily was let down by nearly every adult she met. From being adopted at a very young age it just went from bad to worse. The most wretched childhood you can imagine.
She briefly goes over her adult life but that is rushed to the extreme which is a shame as it actually sounds really interesting.
November 19, 2014
Disturbing yet gripping memoir - the author suffered at the hands of her adoptive parents and then later in care and ended up running away and living on the streets in London before eventually 'finding her way'. Told in a straightforward way, the author makes no excuses for her 'wrong choices' but is equally critical of those that abused her or chose to ignore/permit the abuse. Nevertheless, she admits to rarely trying to tell anyone what was going on, despite being given opportunities to do so, but explains that she thought she wouldn't be believed which, as it was set in the 1960s and 1970s, is probably true - 8/10.
August 9, 2013
Hmmm...well written, terrible subject, so it's hard to say positive things about this book.
November 30, 2014
Shatteringly brilliant. I read this as I am researching the Sixties and thought it was about someone who ran away to London. Well not exactly - it is about someone, Emily, who ran away from abuse - so far so depressing. However the brilliance is in the honesty of Emily's reflections and the expertise she has developed as a professional counsellor who is determined to improve the care system in the UK. But this isn't a dry academic recounting of her childhood problems, it is a visceral and brutally honest story of what happened to her as the outcast child of divorce and step childhood who was both abused because of that happening and in various aspects of the care system she stumbled into whilst running away from her abusive step family (mother and step father).
It is written both to identify the failings in the care system but also as a searingly honest autobiography where we are identifying with Emily's hopes and desires to find some small place where she can express herself, do well and receive love in return. It has been written recently, after the recent scandals in the UK about abuse that have come to light following the Jimmy Saville inquiry, which has both given her the strength and purpose to reveal her own experiences and helped shape what she is trying to do with the book.
Despite having this larger, and noble, purpose, the book is compellingly written. Like a good thriller you can only take chapter at a time, but in the end you can't put it down as you so want Emily to find the small place where she is accepted for who she is, and can become something more; brilliant.
It is written both to identify the failings in the care system but also as a searingly honest autobiography where we are identifying with Emily's hopes and desires to find some small place where she can express herself, do well and receive love in return. It has been written recently, after the recent scandals in the UK about abuse that have come to light following the Jimmy Saville inquiry, which has both given her the strength and purpose to reveal her own experiences and helped shape what she is trying to do with the book.
Despite having this larger, and noble, purpose, the book is compellingly written. Like a good thriller you can only take chapter at a time, but in the end you can't put it down as you so want Emily to find the small place where she is accepted for who she is, and can become something more; brilliant.
July 19, 2014
I's been a while since I last read this sort of book, but, as sad as the topic was, I really enjoyed reading it. Poor Emily went through hell with an abusive adoptive mother and stepfather, then even worse was to come when she entered the "care" system. This is something that goes on under our noses everyday; Emily was brave to tell her story and strong enough to get through it and move on; now in a position to help others.
November 15, 2013
A really hard book to read but in that the subject is hard. Its very well written, read in just a few days.
December 21, 2013
Horrific truths . This book is one disturbing read but makes you see how lucky you are.
October 26, 2014
Well written but a hard read at times.
February 1, 2014
A horrific but true story :(
It was one of the books that I couldn't stop to read it. I was shocked on every page.
It was one of the books that I couldn't stop to read it. I was shocked on every page.
September 18, 2014
This autobiography is a heart-breaking story of an abused child. I would urge everyone to read this and open their eyes to the neglect and abuse that children go through.
November 4, 2014
excellent book,well worth a read
June 24, 2015
A very good book but it is a very touchy subject but it's done in a way that makes you want to keep reading I was so happy to find out that Emily turned her life around in the end I just wish she would stop blaming her self for what happened to her. It makes you think that in the 70s there must of been a lot of child abuse happening but no one really talk about it. It makes me sick that no one did anything about at the time in till now just show you how messed up this world is. sorry about the grammar but I love reading but not any good at writing
July 17, 2015
Easy to read yet emotionally unpleasant. But story had to be told. Author had done an amazing work with very right conclusions in the end. Don't regret that I read it, it gives more insights to the lives of runway children and homeless.
April 25, 2018
Runaway: Wild Child, Working Girl, Survivor is not for the faint-hearted. This woman went through a lot at a young age and reading what she went through, in sometimes graphic and some times a quite flippant way was challenging at times.
It's hard to hear about the depravity of our fellow man and just when you think nothing left can surprise you it does. I learnt a lot from this book and Emily's experiences .
I hesitate to say it was a good book because of the content, but it was certainly though-provoking, heart-wrenching and well written.
It's hard to hear about the depravity of our fellow man and just when you think nothing left can surprise you it does. I learnt a lot from this book and Emily's experiences .
I hesitate to say it was a good book because of the content, but it was certainly though-provoking, heart-wrenching and well written.
May 26, 2018
Fascinating
An insight into the world of prostitution as experienced by a young girl previously abused in care homes and by her stepfather . A thought provoking book which highlights the sexual abuse which can be rife in many supposedly safe environments . Abusers can take many forms from care workers and those seemingly well respected in society . Fascinating and thought provoking .
An insight into the world of prostitution as experienced by a young girl previously abused in care homes and by her stepfather . A thought provoking book which highlights the sexual abuse which can be rife in many supposedly safe environments . Abusers can take many forms from care workers and those seemingly well respected in society . Fascinating and thought provoking .
October 3, 2020
This book covers some awful topics and isn't for the faint hearted, I couldn't put it down.
Emily suffers at the hands of her neglectful mother and abuser step father, is dragged through a disfunctional 'care' system, being abused, mistreated and let down along the way. She ends up working the streets of Soho in the 70s, being abused, degraded and used. Until she finds the strength to get help and is finally reunited with her dad.
Emily suffers at the hands of her neglectful mother and abuser step father, is dragged through a disfunctional 'care' system, being abused, mistreated and let down along the way. She ends up working the streets of Soho in the 70s, being abused, degraded and used. Until she finds the strength to get help and is finally reunited with her dad.
August 22, 2017
Strange feelings
Reading this book was interesting because of a few minor issues. Writing ok. Storyline ok. But having been through some of what Emily described made me wonder about exactly what happened to Emily. Are some points embellished? Possibly. Or it could just be me, I am really not sure.
Reading this book was interesting because of a few minor issues. Writing ok. Storyline ok. But having been through some of what Emily described made me wonder about exactly what happened to Emily. Are some points embellished? Possibly. Or it could just be me, I am really not sure.
November 25, 2018
Hard Hitting Gut wrenching
A hard hitting gut wrenching factually blunt account of a young life destroyed not only by the monsters she came into contact with. Also by society and the people paid to care and protect her. You owe it to Emily to read her story and accept that truth of the society we all play a part in creating.
A hard hitting gut wrenching factually blunt account of a young life destroyed not only by the monsters she came into contact with. Also by society and the people paid to care and protect her. You owe it to Emily to read her story and accept that truth of the society we all play a part in creating.
September 22, 2018
Sadness
A heart wrenching book, what this young girl went through from the age of 7 is so frightening, and was so terrible, what gives an adult the right to abuse any child, life is so violent from birth to the grave, we must fight for our children for a better life.
A heart wrenching book, what this young girl went through from the age of 7 is so frightening, and was so terrible, what gives an adult the right to abuse any child, life is so violent from birth to the grave, we must fight for our children for a better life.
August 25, 2020
Quite an eye opener into the lives of abused people. It is very descriptive, so be warned, but it was a book that raises very important issues. The fact that all these things had to happen in real life to Emily makes this book incredibly moving and horrifying. Definitley a page turner.
March 11, 2023
This book has been on my shelf for ten years and I finally got round to it. It was very good but harrowing graphic and heartbreaking. Makes you realise how lucky you are even if times you don't think it.
August 17, 2017
Disturbing!
As this book is purported to be
edt
Very sad
true ,I found out very disturbing ,Why do human beings treat others in this way ,
As this book is purported to be
edt
Very sad
true ,I found out very disturbing ,Why do human beings treat others in this way ,
September 21, 2018
Thought-provoking and emotionally harrowing. The courage needed to pen her experiences is borne out by the same courage and determination Emily MacKenzie demonstrated in overcoming her situation.
January 18, 2019
Runaway
Really enjoyed this book. Life as a girl forced into care is not nice back in the 70s. Really gives you something to think about. Throughly enjoyed. Definitely recommend.
Really enjoyed this book. Life as a girl forced into care is not nice back in the 70s. Really gives you something to think about. Throughly enjoyed. Definitely recommend.
June 9, 2019
Really interesting book, no holds barred. Made me uncomfortable. Truth
May 24, 2020
Harrowing and upsetting throughout but well written. With graphic descriptions of abuse, you need a strong mind and stomach to read this one.
December 8, 2020
Loveeee
June 3, 2017
If this had been a work of fiction I'd be sitting here complaining it was too over-the-top, it wasn't realistic enough, it's too unlikely that bad thing after bad thing could happen like that with not a single glimmer of hope at any point...
But this wasn't fiction, it was real life. And all that really DID happen. Shocking does not even cover it. The book ends when Emily has just turned 16, but the amount of crap she'd been through could have filled a life many years older than that. I knew this would be a depressing read, though I didn't realise quite how depressing. That Emily managed to survive all that really is amazing. Her experiences would have finished most of us off, myself included, and one has to be made of pretty stern stuff just to read about it.
The Epilogue gave a great summing up of the situation and makes you realise that although the 1960s-'70s were a long time ago, the same issues are still with us and that protecting children from all forms of abuse is an ongoing battle to this day.
But this wasn't fiction, it was real life. And all that really DID happen. Shocking does not even cover it. The book ends when Emily has just turned 16, but the amount of crap she'd been through could have filled a life many years older than that. I knew this would be a depressing read, though I didn't realise quite how depressing. That Emily managed to survive all that really is amazing. Her experiences would have finished most of us off, myself included, and one has to be made of pretty stern stuff just to read about it.
The Epilogue gave a great summing up of the situation and makes you realise that although the 1960s-'70s were a long time ago, the same issues are still with us and that protecting children from all forms of abuse is an ongoing battle to this day.
October 14, 2016
This book was a bomb. I thought I wouldn't feel amazed of the story plot based on the summary of the story. After a few chapters, I felt so heartbroken for this girl, Emily, for being a traumatized girl, who was verbally abused by her supposedly mother (turned out to be her stepmother), then physically raped by the stepfather and another few young men she met in the pub. After going through confinement in the boarding school, run away to be a prostitute, being raped and was forced to abort her unborn child and finally detained by an abusive man, I felt like her world is filled with bastards and assholes. After seeing standing up for herself, I was glad her sufferings was a blessing in disguise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews