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The Girl In The Wicker Basket
When Ann Kenny was four years old her foster mother hit her across the face with a fireplace shovel. She was left lying unconscious on the cold hard floor while her foster family went to mass. She almost lost an eye.
This is just one of the childhood incidents Ann recalls in her vivid, shocking memoir of growing up in a house where she wasn’t wanted. She was given most of the household chores, and she was not even allowed to sit with the family at mealtimes, but was forced to stand while they sat. Her grandfather also regularly beat her viciously. She later discovered that he had also abused her sexually, drugging her with whiskey before putting her to bed.
When she grew up, Ann got out of Ireland completely, but she couldn’t escape the shadow of her childhood. She married an alcoholic; his drinking came to dominate their marriage, and she was left to raise their three children as best as she could. He died of liver failure in 1997 at the age of 46.
Slowly, Ann set out on the road to recovering her life. She came to terms with the past when she sought out and found her birth mother, now a bitter old woman. Today Ann has found love in a new relationship, and this book is a testament to the strength of a survivor.
This is just one of the childhood incidents Ann recalls in her vivid, shocking memoir of growing up in a house where she wasn’t wanted. She was given most of the household chores, and she was not even allowed to sit with the family at mealtimes, but was forced to stand while they sat. Her grandfather also regularly beat her viciously. She later discovered that he had also abused her sexually, drugging her with whiskey before putting her to bed.
When she grew up, Ann got out of Ireland completely, but she couldn’t escape the shadow of her childhood. She married an alcoholic; his drinking came to dominate their marriage, and she was left to raise their three children as best as she could. He died of liver failure in 1997 at the age of 46.
Slowly, Ann set out on the road to recovering her life. She came to terms with the past when she sought out and found her birth mother, now a bitter old woman. Today Ann has found love in a new relationship, and this book is a testament to the strength of a survivor.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 7, 2009
I was pulled into Ann's story right away. She has to be the living definition of human strength. I'm very happy that she was able to create for herself what had been so unnattainable through out her childhood and early adult life, happiness.
No matter how much I read books like Ann's I will never understand how anyone can be so cruel and show no sign of human compassion.
No matter how much I read books like Ann's I will never understand how anyone can be so cruel and show no sign of human compassion.
May 5, 2015
Intensely written story about a woman who tries to move forward from her past, but at every turn she is reminded of her past. Determined to not replay what happened to her, she keeps her children protected and love, regardless of what her life delivers her. Fantastic, raw, brutal, and a reminder how precious our lives are.
May 28, 2019
Good book
Lovely story about how a child not loved by the family and given alway to a family who was very bad to the child would reamene this book to everyone to read fantastic book will read more of her books my sister would love this book
Lovely story about how a child not loved by the family and given alway to a family who was very bad to the child would reamene this book to everyone to read fantastic book will read more of her books my sister would love this book
November 11, 2024
All I can say is it is an amazing read, but be prepared it will leave you mad, in tears, heartbroken and feeling useless in her life by the end. I'm heartbroken that this child had to go through this!
June 12, 2017
enjoyed from start to end. Couldn't put down.
Very sad life she had from birth to her adulthood.I will never understand how anyone can be so cruel and show no sign of human compassion.
Very sad life she had from birth to her adulthood.I will never understand how anyone can be so cruel and show no sign of human compassion.
May 20, 2020
Abuse, alcoholism, rejection, love, all part of this true story.
Searching for truth and the outcome might be more than what was invisioned.
Searching for truth and the outcome might be more than what was invisioned.
February 24, 2023
Good Book
April 1, 2019
The Girl In The Wicker Basket
What can I say about this? Five 🌟 absolutely. I find reading the truth about someone's life is stressful in itself. But yet the compassion I felt for this child/woman was truly heartfelt. I know that I am not one that would leave it alone if I suspected any abuse. If course being familiar may do that. Bravo for you!!
What can I say about this? Five 🌟 absolutely. I find reading the truth about someone's life is stressful in itself. But yet the compassion I felt for this child/woman was truly heartfelt. I know that I am not one that would leave it alone if I suspected any abuse. If course being familiar may do that. Bravo for you!!
January 15, 2014
This was an ok story. More about the coming of age in a foster home then marrying an alcoholic. Not quite what I thought it would be. Boring through the middle. Got a little better towards the end when she started searching for her birth mother. Quick and easy read.
April 28, 2019
Heartbreaking and moving story
I could not put this book down. It is such a heartbreaking yet moving story. Ann is such a strong woman to have endured what she did, an amazing woman
I could not put this book down. It is such a heartbreaking yet moving story. Ann is such a strong woman to have endured what she did, an amazing woman
August 4, 2011
If you are in the mood for real life-this is a story of nothing but abuse and pain brought to a child. Keeps your interest and fast read.
October 26, 2013
This such a great book to read and very sad at the end.
June 11, 2014
Drawn in to the emotion and intrigue straight away. Good read
May 8, 2015
Gripped from start to end. Couldn't put down. Very sad life she had from birth to adulthood x
July 14, 2015
Gripped from start to finish. Didn't expect the end but throughout kept me hooked to every page. A must read if you are from an Irish background and a must that makes you appreciate your childhood.
January 24, 2021
Sorry but didn't enjoy. At the start and maybe in the middle there was a few parts I enjoyed but then I got bored, especially at the end.
Don't read.
Don't read.
July 26, 2013
I wish it would have had a little more about herself as a parent.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews