Outcast Child

by Kitty Neale

In this powerful evocation of working-class South London in the 1950s, drama and heartbreak wreak havoc in the life of young Daisy Bacon, guardian of her Cousin Lizzie who, a grown woman in body and appearance, has the innocent and trusting nature of a child. When her mother Judith is run over and killed outside their house, Daisy retreats into a world of silence. Blaming herself for the accident, the girl is unable to utter a word. The happy family home becomes a prison, with her stepmother Vera as the cruel jailer. It is cousin Lizzie, who will always remain a child, who brings sunshine back to Daisy's life. However, only when Henry Bacon discovers his new wife's shocking secret does Daisy herself find true happiness, and in a way that she could never have anticipated.

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Rim Ben Saad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story that makes you eager to continue reading it and not put the book until you know what fate the author has chosen for the book's characters. Will it be the right one??

[Daniella Clear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book, interesting read

[Sue Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cosy blanket, easy to read!

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I found some bits slow but preserver.

[paula hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab

Lovely book just could not put it down ,really captured me from the very beginning .look forward to reading more books from this author

[Linda Mcintosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading.

I would encourage anyone to read this book. It was very well written and kept u turning the pages. Not wanting to put it down.

[Pavithra M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in early 1950's and captures the glooms of the London city. It is all about how a young girl Daisy is forced to grow up and shoulder responsibilities when unfortunate events occur one after another. It portrays how a child an emotionally wrecked child can be manipulated and what it is to overcome tragedy. This books speak also speaks about child abuse and rape in subtle manner. This book is a simple, yet powerful read!

[Nicole Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grasped my interest after having read and enjoyed another book by Kitty Neale - ‘Forgotten Child’.

It certainly didn’t disappoint - I was completely hooked by the story and characters from the very first page - I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in less than two days.

Daisy endures so much heart ache and cruelty throughout the book, despite this she remains caring and selfless. As the reader I felt every struggle that Daisy went through.

Overall an addictive, enjoyable, and emotional book, written beautifully.

[Claire Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book in 2 days I couldn't put it down. daisy is a admirable character I only wish she defended herself more. many parts heart breaking but every part painted the story in my mind. such a happy ending although how a family over comes so much heartache I dont know. I highly recommend anything written by kitty neale

[Lynda Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

[Beverley Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top read

Great book good author really good family drama. Loved it and would recommend this book...... . . . . .

[Carli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, couldn't put it down. Only wish there was a part 2 of the story. Really well written.

[Pauline Hirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Engaging with an old fashioned feel to the whole story.
Really enjoyed the way it was written and easy to follow the storyline

[Louise Ashdown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story.

When I first started reading this book, I didn't think I was going to be able to finish it, but as it went on I grew to love it.

This story is about young Daisy Bacon. Daisy loses her Mum at a young age, after a car that would have hit Daisy hits Daisy Mum as Daisy Mum had pushed her out of the way.

Daisy's Dad remarries, Vera her step mother is like the ones in fairy tales, awful to poor Daisy. Vera tells Daisy she is responsible for her mothers death and if she doesn't do as Vera asks she will tell Daisy father.

Vera herself has a back story, she is hiding from her husband. Vera only marries Henry because he is stupid and has money. She hopes to poison Henry and inherite his house and money, but her plan back fires.

Daisy is sent away to stay with her Aunte Edna and her daughter Lizzie. Lizzie is a great character who I grew to love.

Lizzie is able to predict things. She predicts her own Mother being poorly, when Lizzies Mother passes away she goes to live with Daisy, Henry and Vera. This puts a being strain on Daisy's life as Daisy is growing up.

[Kaye Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simplistic writing makes this a nice, light read, yet is full of drama. A young girl is bullied into believing she caused her mother's death. The bully wheedles her way into the family by pretending to fall in love with the widowed husband - but is only after his money, so she can get her toddler back from his pimp father. A great read, set in 1950's London, this book is full of drama from the very first page. Highly recommended.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt like there were too many storylines going on in this book, and within only 330 pages it was just too much. I also didn’t enjoy the constant references to Daisy and Lizzie’s weight; more of a personal preference I guess, but it didn’t really serve the storyline at all other than to repeatedly poke fun at them.

Kitty Neale’s stories are generally very easy to read, but I didn’t enjoy this one.

[Rachael Seddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional story with lots of twists and turns. I found I got hardly anything done this weekend as I couldn't put it down. One of my favourite books by Kitty Neale

***Trigger warning tho it does mention sexual assault, violence and death***

[Jo Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I’d forgotten how much I loved kitty neals books as it’s been a while since I read on of hers. This heart felt novel had me in tears from start to end, to the amusement of my partner.

[belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book, an easy going read

[Lynn Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of deception, a badly used daughter unable to lead her life after the untimely death of her mother. It ends happily. I did enjoy it.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jonelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good

[Cherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Kitty Neale. I had this on Audible and the narrator was great with all the different accents etc so that made the book for me too.

[fafa ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this in 2019, and i related to the main character tm and it was a good distraction back then

[michelle & ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Another really good book that I have just finished by Kitty Neale. Will definitely read more by this author, as she is one of my favourites now.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read by this author.

[Jennifer Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant I liked all of the twist and turns, a really read.

[Sarah Scowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blasphemy is entirely unnecessary throughout this book and it is for this reason I only gave 3 stars.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another can’t put down Kitty Neale pulls you into her books from the very first page

[Ti Nyiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay, but the storyline was not so long but got dragged for a long time.