The Asylum

by Ann Cusack - contributor

For 46 years, Carol Minto has quietly gone about her life, carrying with her the most extraordinary and heartbreaking secrets.

Born into poverty and with mostly absent parents, Carol helped to raise her nine siblings. But when she was just 11 years old, her older brother began to sexually abuse her. After four years, Carol managed to escape - and ran away from home.

Picked up by social services, they place her at Aston Hall in Derby, a psychiatric hospital now infamous for the ghoulish ‘truth serum’ experiments it carried out on children. Over three years, Carol was stripped, sedated, assaulted and raped by Kenneth Milner, the doctor in charge.

Eventually she is released back into the community, aged 18, and has a daughter. But the baby is taken away for adoption, and Carol’s trauma intensifies. In 2010, Carol finally plucked up the courage to speak out about the abuse she suffered - and received justice, at last.

In The Asylum, Carol tells the full story of how she overcame unimaginable suffering, to find the happiness and solace she has today as a mother and grandmother.

Genres: Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published August 5, 2021

Reviews

[Jo Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems almost twisted to rate this title. Out of respect for that authors I didn’t want to leave no rating either.
Trigger warnings apply ⚠️

A deeply distressing and harrowing memoir, from a truly courageous woman. The cruelty and abuse Carol dealt with is unforgivable.

The narration on this was a bit strange, however I can’t imagine having to tell this story.

Currently included with audible 🎧

[Charri Trembley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio had a very heavy accent. The horrors this woman had to go through and that her parents did nothing. Adults in charge of children have a duty to protect them. All of these adults should have been punished and sent to the same horrors Carol had to endure. The worst part of this book is that it is all true.

[Kristi Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely heartbreaking and gut wrenching to listen to. The abuse that Carol suffered beginning in her house and then at Aston Hall was horrific. Born into poverty and have 2 parents that were never around left her in charge of her nine siblings. This poor girl was robbed of her childhood at the hands of a brother who was assaulting and molesting her, parents that were never around and didn’t care about her and then being sexually assaulted and abused in a home where she is supposedly there to receive “help” for her issues. This was a tough one to listen to. My heart broke for Carol but by the end there were some happy parts and we see how Carol lived her life suffering from the abuse but also thrived with her husband, son and grandchildren over the years. The amount of suffering that one person endured was truly horrific. This book will stay with me for a while. Check the trigger warnings because the abuse is real and raw.

[Amelyn Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaking tale of poverty and never-ending abuse. I listened to it on audiobook. As an American, it took just a bit for me to catch the flow of the Irish narrator, but she was perfect for portraying Carol. I felt so much for her. I highly recommend reading it this way. Carol’s truth shines through and becomes an inspiration.

[Amk256 King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a difficult subject to listen to this was a well written account of Carol, who suffered various forms of abuse from her family members and the consequent fall out that her life followed. Definitely difficult to listen to at times but it was one of those books, for me, where you just had to get to the end!

The fact that this is based on a true story makes it even more shocking 😮

[Ankita Ramakrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply depressing and illuminating about the conditions that are often overlooked

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very disturbing tale of sexual abuse and how it could go unnoticed and silenced by family members so sad

[Evann Templeton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had high hopes, but it fell flat. I can appreciate the research and basis of this book and loved the idea of it.

[Jade Yandall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a moving and heartbreaking story. It's very brave to put this story out there. The author deserves happiness and to be heard and justified.

[Chantelle Back · Rating 5 out of 5]

difficult to read, absolutely heartbreaking and to know this is all based on true events.
But amazingly written I was absolutely captured, couldn't put it down

[Rachael Forster]

3

[Faith Dupuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending is beautiful. The secrets families hide can most definitely be life altering. ALWAYS SPEAK YOUR TRUTH EVEN IF IT FEELS WRONG!

[Alia Somani · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad, absolutely fabulous writing, horrific, sad, shocking but a good read. Highly recommend, I commend the writer.