Mummy's Witness

by sanders-gayle

Gayle Sanders grew up in a seemingly happy middle-class household, but everything was not as it seemed. Her father viciously abused her mother, and as the violence escalated Gayle was forced to witness such horrifying scenes as her father almost breaking her mother's back. Gayle thought she was finally safe after her parents divorce, but relief twisted to terror as she witnessed her father brutally murder her mother by hanging. Afterwards, Gayle was shuttled between foster families to psychiatric units in a state of ill health. Following one of many suicide attempts, she was attacked and raped by a male nurse in a psychiatric hospital. Through it all, Gayle survived and managed to make a better life for herself. This is her heartbreaking and inspiring story.

Genres: True Crime, Biography Memoir

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Joanne Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tough read!! A woman’s account of her childhood terror and ongoing trauma from the result of her fathers abuse and subsequent killing of her mother. Not much to like..

[Sandra Cvetkovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me speechless.

It doesn't matter at all is it true story or not, because we will never know what happened for sure, but what matters is that we all can learn something.

What I found really interesting is the fact that behind every man and women there is a mask, the one that they are wearing when they are out in public and the real face when no one sees them. This book made me analyze my own actions in first place.
The author tried to write how does it feel when you are left all alone, when nobody really cares, and all she needs, all a child needs is a sincere hug a few warm words. We often ignore this children, think that they are just a subjects.

I don't care if this book is real or fake. I highly recommend it.

[Jo D · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is full of lies. This book cannot be bought in bookshops because the authors father sued the publishers, stoughton and hodder, for libel. To read the the accused side of the story google, 'THE DAY I KILLED MY WIFE; TOM SANDERS'. Books like this should not be published. It is a money making exercise at the detriment of others. It is alarming that someone who makes up such atrocious lies is working with vulnerable people. The author should have been sued for libel and defamation.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant book -good on her for coming forward and telling her story. Just because the father said its not true doesn't mean it didn't happen.

[Audrey Reagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book. Drags out in last few chapters but very well structured

[Tamika Hewitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn’t thrilling nor was it a book that I didn’t want to put down. It was just there to read. I found there were certain parts of the book that were more interesting then others but it didn’t excite me. I feel absolutely saddened by the trauma that Gayle had to go through. To hear that she has become so successful and happy really was a happy ending. I’m saddened by the way that the authorities and others treated her through her fostering ages.

[Skye Andrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's taken me several attempts to read this book. I wasn't the content that I had trouble with rather the writing style. I found it rather stilted for the first few chapters but it became easier to read after that

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Such a heart breaking story. I was so glad to read that Gayle got her happy ending after all the awful things she had been through. I can't even begin to imagine the pain she felt throughout her life but her tremendous courage is inspiring.

[Aleisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4 April. Very sad what she went through

[Caroline Craig-Hallam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t imagine what this woman went through. Well done to her for writing it all down to get it out of her system. A really good real life read.

[Donna Lightfoot Shingleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest and brave. I knew you at 12. I Admire you and wish you every happiness. X

[Shannon Mcconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is heartbreak after heartbreak, and knowing this is a true story is soul shattering. I’ve thought about this book nearly every day since I finished it and it has lead me to be more grateful for the little things in life we take for granted.

[KomalKaur · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story was sad, but the writing was awful.

[Marguerita Mccomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good read i dont know what Jo D's review was about and it worries me where he or she got the info from! Murder is Murder and the writing seemed authentic to me

[Emily Nazir · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful book couldn't put it down and stop reading it the whole way through. loved it, it is now my favourite book

[BookLover8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for her courage to share stories, and her courage to accept love and new life. Wish you happiness!