What do you think?
Rate this book
Unbeaten: The Story of my Brutal Childhood
For Kim Woodburn finding fame in her 60s in the smash hit television series How Clean is Your House? "with fellow dust-buster Aggie Mackenzie is like living a fairytale. Often she has simply wished that she had never been born, for Kim has overcome horrific emotional and physical abuse both at the hands of her alcoholic mother and her philandering, sexually abusive father. In her brave and revealing story Kim's memories of growing up are not of love and cuddles, but of beatings and random cruelty. Shuttled between the brutal houses of her warring parents, a succession of miserable children's homes and a grim convent -- Kim's past has cast a long shadow over her life. But just before her sixteenth birthday she finally made her escape, only to find herself in an abusive marriage a few years later. It has taken decades of hard work, and a wonderfully happy marriage to conquer depression but now she has emerged unbowed and unbeaten as Britain's Queen of Clean.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
85 people are currently reading
1226 people want to read
About the author
Kim Woodburn
5 books13 followersPatricia Mary "Kim" Woodburn was an English television personality, writer, and expert cleaner. Known as the "Queen of Clean", she came to prominence by co-presenting the Channel 4 series How Clean Is Your House? (2003–2009) and its Canadian version Kim's Rude Awakenings (2007–2009). Woodburn went on to appear on various reality television shows, including I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2009) and Celebrity Big Brother (2017).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 8, 2010
This book was really quite something and I don't think it did Pat McKenzie aka Kim Woodburn any favours at all. She came across as an incredibly self absorbed and grittily determined person who thought the world owed her a favour and was quite happy to coast on it. I found it very hard to believe the endless tales of woe, abuse and depravity documented in the book and I wonder how much of Kim's history is remembered very differently by the others who lived it with her.
January 9, 2018
This is the first time I pick up a biography and I'll be truly honest with you! "Unbeaten" is a must-read. Believe me! You really don't wanna miss Kim Woodburn's sad story.
In her biography, Kim Woodburn tells us in details about her wretched childhood and dismal days with her abusive parents. Everything in her life was unpleasant. Kim would be beaten and punished severely just because of her mother is in a bad mood. Sometimes her mother would hit her just because she wants to! Which left me totally agape!
Her father is never at home, which made the situation worse because she is always left alone with the person with whom she is supposed to feel comfortable and protected, her own mother.
Gezzie, Kim's sister, is invariably the one who never receives punishment. She's loved by her mother, which makes Kim suffer internally and feel lonelier than ever as she never felt wanted or loved like her siblings.
One of the things that left me aghast while reading this book is Kim's mother, Patricia. She's just the vilest woman I've ever read about. I've never imagined that a woman can be that cruel and harsh toward her own daughter, just because she looks like her father! Funny, isn't it?
Another thing is when Kim and her sister were taken to the Nuns! This book has made me view nuns in a very different way. They were just as wicked and horrendous as Kim's mother. Basically, the Nuns House is a terrifying space for Kim since she was treated very badly by the nuns...
When she finally manages to run away from her brutal mother, Kim steps into the outside world; a cruel and unpleasant world that makes her experience very bad things. First, she has to work in jobs she doesn't want just because she has to earn a living and a roof over her head. Second, her first marriage was a big failure that rendered her depressed and hopeless.
However, Kim still maintains hope and the world smiles at her again in the end...
I enjoyed this book so much and I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another biography next time I want to buy books!
In her biography, Kim Woodburn tells us in details about her wretched childhood and dismal days with her abusive parents. Everything in her life was unpleasant. Kim would be beaten and punished severely just because of her mother is in a bad mood. Sometimes her mother would hit her just because she wants to! Which left me totally agape!
Her father is never at home, which made the situation worse because she is always left alone with the person with whom she is supposed to feel comfortable and protected, her own mother.
Gezzie, Kim's sister, is invariably the one who never receives punishment. She's loved by her mother, which makes Kim suffer internally and feel lonelier than ever as she never felt wanted or loved like her siblings.
One of the things that left me aghast while reading this book is Kim's mother, Patricia. She's just the vilest woman I've ever read about. I've never imagined that a woman can be that cruel and harsh toward her own daughter, just because she looks like her father! Funny, isn't it?
Another thing is when Kim and her sister were taken to the Nuns! This book has made me view nuns in a very different way. They were just as wicked and horrendous as Kim's mother. Basically, the Nuns House is a terrifying space for Kim since she was treated very badly by the nuns...
When she finally manages to run away from her brutal mother, Kim steps into the outside world; a cruel and unpleasant world that makes her experience very bad things. First, she has to work in jobs she doesn't want just because she has to earn a living and a roof over her head. Second, her first marriage was a big failure that rendered her depressed and hopeless.
However, Kim still maintains hope and the world smiles at her again in the end...
I enjoyed this book so much and I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another biography next time I want to buy books!
November 16, 2019
I read this after seeing Kim mention her family problems and her dead baby in an interview. I felt this book didn't know what it was meant to be - first and foremost it's her autobiography, but the version I have is definitely designed to be an 'abuse' genre book and the traditional black & white photo of a sad little blonde girl on the front is not Kim. I don't normally read 'abuse' genre books - this is my third - as I have mixed feelings about them. Perhaps those who would pick this up because they like abuse books would find it disappointing though.
That said, Kim's description of her childhood paints a grim picture to say the least. I think she's aiming at an overall message of "look how far I've come from my crappy beginnings", but despite the violence at various stages of her life and awful premature delivery of a stillborn son, I couldn't help feeling like she did okay due to her looks and got more than a few lucky breaks along the way.
It's an easy, quick read, but obviously not very cheery, and fans of her or her show might want to give it a read. In some places I got irritated with the way it was written and a fair bit of repetition (whether that's down to her or a ghostwriter, I don't know). I could say more about this book, but I'm sure many people gain something from reading it, particularly if they've been through similar things, so if any good comes from it I shouldn't criticise. (/Diplomacy!)
That said, Kim's description of her childhood paints a grim picture to say the least. I think she's aiming at an overall message of "look how far I've come from my crappy beginnings", but despite the violence at various stages of her life and awful premature delivery of a stillborn son, I couldn't help feeling like she did okay due to her looks and got more than a few lucky breaks along the way.
It's an easy, quick read, but obviously not very cheery, and fans of her or her show might want to give it a read. In some places I got irritated with the way it was written and a fair bit of repetition (whether that's down to her or a ghostwriter, I don't know). I could say more about this book, but I'm sure many people gain something from reading it, particularly if they've been through similar things, so if any good comes from it I shouldn't criticise. (/Diplomacy!)
October 17, 2007
It takes some talent to take a relentless catalogue of abuse and misfortune and make it totally numbifying. The ghost writer's fingers should be battered with this book so that they cannit inflict any more horrific writing on the world. In spite of the horrendous life she's lead, the tone of the book doesn't paint her in the best light, but i still like her and would like her to call me a filthy beggar and then purse her lips at me while she white gloves me dusty crevices.
[Earlier: From one raging queenie to another. This is one of those books with paper that smells feintly of sick. But I'm working through the smell barrier]
[Earlier: From one raging queenie to another. This is one of those books with paper that smells feintly of sick. But I'm working through the smell barrier]
November 22, 2016
A great read! Kim really has been through so much in her life; I have a lot of respect for her. It's amazing seeing her being such an upfront, hard character on TV but to then read about what her life has actually been like.
The language used made the book straightforward and easy to read but as expected it was a difficult and emotional subject to read about.
The language used made the book straightforward and easy to read but as expected it was a difficult and emotional subject to read about.
January 29, 2017
I cannot give anything less than a four star because one cannot undermine anyone's story. Kim has provided a detailed account of her growth. Her brutal honesty of her naivety in her youth makes the story worth reading. Yes, one can rise above anything
February 7, 2017
Really amazing book! I know why Kim is such a strong character now due to what she has been through! Couldn't put this book down!
May 21, 2017
Bloody but Unbowed!
I gave this five stars because it was a moving story. I loved reading how Kim faced up to life and didn't let it beat her. She is a brave woman to have shared her story with us and her story is inspirational.
I gave this five stars because it was a moving story. I loved reading how Kim faced up to life and didn't let it beat her. She is a brave woman to have shared her story with us and her story is inspirational.
August 28, 2017
A fascinating memoir by Kim of How Clean Is Your House.
May 17, 2020
"It's to do with choices or the lack of them"
December 8, 2019
The end was rushed detail of how the show began..
The rest, a very open and detailed Life story that reads very matter of factly.
I really related to this book as my life was similar in a lot of ways and I had many experiences that were the same as kims, even in the name and some locations. She tells her story almost unemotionally but I completely connect to that as it's easier to take the emotion out and speak about these things almost as if it was someone else.
I think for some readers, it may be difficult to connect with her story because of this and is often why people who deal with emotion in this way are taken as fantasists, myself included.
I've always felt drawn to Kim and simultaneously motherly toward her and after reading this book, I know why.
I'd love to meet her one day, for a brew and a biscuit and a chat... I'm glad she's found someone who didn't take advantage of her vunerabilty and that she can feel happy and safe.
The rest, a very open and detailed Life story that reads very matter of factly.
I really related to this book as my life was similar in a lot of ways and I had many experiences that were the same as kims, even in the name and some locations. She tells her story almost unemotionally but I completely connect to that as it's easier to take the emotion out and speak about these things almost as if it was someone else.
I think for some readers, it may be difficult to connect with her story because of this and is often why people who deal with emotion in this way are taken as fantasists, myself included.
I've always felt drawn to Kim and simultaneously motherly toward her and after reading this book, I know why.
I'd love to meet her one day, for a brew and a biscuit and a chat... I'm glad she's found someone who didn't take advantage of her vunerabilty and that she can feel happy and safe.
March 22, 2021
Unbeaten meaning: not defeated or surpassed.
"they were the only side to remain unbeaten"
I received this today as part of a monthly Facebook group swap & it timed nicely with the finish of my last read.
Kim is one of those feisty women whom you'll either love or hate. I've always liked her & her outspoken ways. On reading this you can see why she's like she is, no ones ever been there to look after her or defend her, so she's had to stand up for herself in the only way she knows how. I've read so many reviews where people think she's lying...why?! It takes extreme guts & courage to speak out about something like this. I mean why would you even want to choose to lie about giving birth to a dead baby, your baby?!
This was a gritty, intense, hard hitting autobiography of Kim's heartbreakingly tragic upbringing & how she was determined not to let her past define her future. Brutally honest, tough & extremely moving.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
"they were the only side to remain unbeaten"
I received this today as part of a monthly Facebook group swap & it timed nicely with the finish of my last read.
Kim is one of those feisty women whom you'll either love or hate. I've always liked her & her outspoken ways. On reading this you can see why she's like she is, no ones ever been there to look after her or defend her, so she's had to stand up for herself in the only way she knows how. I've read so many reviews where people think she's lying...why?! It takes extreme guts & courage to speak out about something like this. I mean why would you even want to choose to lie about giving birth to a dead baby, your baby?!
This was a gritty, intense, hard hitting autobiography of Kim's heartbreakingly tragic upbringing & how she was determined not to let her past define her future. Brutally honest, tough & extremely moving.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2013
Wow. What a story. Kim Woodburn's life story is well written, very moving and left me shocked. How she has survived to be who she is today is astounding. Her brutal upbringing and later achievements are testimony to the fact that humans can, with enough determination, overcome the almost impossible.
This is an inspirational read. I would recommend it to anyone feeling despondent about their own life. Kim demonstrates how it is possible to triumph even during extreme adversity. Her language is straightforward and her style matter-of-fact, making this book an easy read except for the emotional components. They make you stop and think, and dab your eyes! Don't miss it.
This is an inspirational read. I would recommend it to anyone feeling despondent about their own life. Kim demonstrates how it is possible to triumph even during extreme adversity. Her language is straightforward and her style matter-of-fact, making this book an easy read except for the emotional components. They make you stop and think, and dab your eyes! Don't miss it.
June 17, 2019
Unsure as to why a few people have slated this book, I thought it was a good - albeit somewhat tough at times - read.
Like many people I’ve only really seen Kim on television clad in fancy rubber gloves and hair high to heaven, however I found it interesting to find out more about her and her upbringing.
Containing fairly detailed stories of abuse and alcoholism it’s quite tough to read in parts, from seeing others say it “doesn’t paint her in a good light” is quite shocking as I’m not entirely sure that’s the point of the book
The point is her story and where she has come from, personally I liked the book
Like many people I’ve only really seen Kim on television clad in fancy rubber gloves and hair high to heaven, however I found it interesting to find out more about her and her upbringing.
Containing fairly detailed stories of abuse and alcoholism it’s quite tough to read in parts, from seeing others say it “doesn’t paint her in a good light” is quite shocking as I’m not entirely sure that’s the point of the book
The point is her story and where she has come from, personally I liked the book
July 13, 2009
Well I got this book because I am a BIG fan of Kim's. Have been since the first day I saw How Clean Is Your House. At first the book was kind of hard for me to get into. But I wanted to push on because I do LOVE her. I am so glad to say I did love the book after all I guess there was just a slow point for me. She talks so openly about things I do not know if I could have. She reafirmed my enving her. I am so glad she made it through such distructive relationships. This book is well worth the read in my eyes.
May 17, 2010
The story of Queen of Clean Kim Woodburn growing up with an absent father and brutal evil mother in a truly scary childhood. Kim is hated as she is a reminder of the failed marriage of her parents and her mother tales every opportunity to beat, humiliate and frighten her daughter. Even as Kim leaves her childhood behind she falls into a relationship that ends in a tragic situation followed by a violent marriage. You have to admire the way this woman came through all these horrors to be a much loved British TV star.
Book Rating: 2.5/5
Book Rating: 2.5/5
April 25, 2016
based on my experience with this book it has lot to offer the reader like it gave me a lot of courage on howsoever worse life could have been, otherwise it creates a great combination of horror,violence,hope,patience and many more also that little girl taught me how to face life with its problems , literally tusha hatsof to her couragen spirit
April 2, 2017
Well written and hopeful.
I gave this five stars because I couldn't stop reading, I read it in a day and it was very inspiring. I loved Kim on celebrity big brother and reading her backstory really helped me to understand her life. A lovely read and full of hope over the pain she suffered. Definitely love her more for it!
I gave this five stars because I couldn't stop reading, I read it in a day and it was very inspiring. I loved Kim on celebrity big brother and reading her backstory really helped me to understand her life. A lovely read and full of hope over the pain she suffered. Definitely love her more for it!
December 18, 2017
I enjoy reading biographies of successful people who have had harsh childhoods, but survived to tell the tale. This memoir is written in an easy conversational style. It describes a difficult childhood with an unbelievably cruel and thoughtless mother. Well done Kim for making it through to the end of the tunnel.
May 17, 2018
No one knows behind the facade!
Couldnt put this book down, its just that kim say it as it is, worts and all, she grew into a no nonsense lady, was young and naive once, but life experiences made and shaped her into the forth right women she is today, so sad in parts
I admire who she is now.
Couldnt put this book down, its just that kim say it as it is, worts and all, she grew into a no nonsense lady, was young and naive once, but life experiences made and shaped her into the forth right women she is today, so sad in parts
I admire who she is now.
August 11, 2011
Unbeaten: The Story Of My Brutal Childhood by Kim Woodburn is literally her tragic life story. In parts you will be in tears. Kim always looks so in control on tv, that it is hard to believe she had such a lack of confidence due to her upbrining.
May 23, 2017
So honest...
I'd never watched any of kims TV programmes.. So this is the first insight to her persona. Great read, took a complete like to her... Had a little watch of her TV appearances.. & what a truly lovely woman.
I'd never watched any of kims TV programmes.. So this is the first insight to her persona. Great read, took a complete like to her... Had a little watch of her TV appearances.. & what a truly lovely woman.
August 4, 2017
A great read
The turmoil of living with a wicked mother , absent father ,and a violent first husband not to mention the loss of her baby ,Kim has battled through life to find happiness and contentment
The turmoil of living with a wicked mother , absent father ,and a violent first husband not to mention the loss of her baby ,Kim has battled through life to find happiness and contentment
March 30, 2020
i must confess i have never been a huge fan of this lady but since reading this book it has made me warm to her. she had a simply dreadful childhood which reading this book makes you wonder how she managed to survive. well worth reading
January 22, 2021
Wow
This is a huge rollercoaster of so many emotions! What this wonderful lady has been through is so heartbreaking but she is also a wonderful inspiration to so many of us. Fantastic read and very highly recommended.
This is a huge rollercoaster of so many emotions! What this wonderful lady has been through is so heartbreaking but she is also a wonderful inspiration to so many of us. Fantastic read and very highly recommended.
March 19, 2021
Honest
This ladies upbringing was disgusting, she had such an unhappy childhood. Nobody should treat children the way she was treated.
I'm glad life worked out for her in the end !!
This ladies upbringing was disgusting, she had such an unhappy childhood. Nobody should treat children the way she was treated.
I'm glad life worked out for her in the end !!
March 8, 2008
The frightening life story of a survivor. I would like to congratulate Kim on turning her life round so drastically.
November 22, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. When I first picked it up it wasn't the type of book I would normally go for but I am glad I did! Well worth a read!
February 10, 2012
reality.
July 18, 2014
Who'd of thought her childhood was like that? Lovely woman and lovely biography...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews