HARD CANDY: Nobody Ever Flies Over the Cuckoo's Nest

by Charles A. Carroll, Stanley Alprin (Foreword)

Charles Carroll and his brother, Bobby, had the misfortune of being hard-to-place foster children in New Jersey in the 1950s. So the powers that be simply reclassified them from orphan, to retarded, and exiled them to a state mental institution. There they remained for nearly ten years, deprived of their civil liberties, devoid of their right to an education, and denied any semblance of a humane existence.

Beneath the sanitized facade of the institution's administrative offices and visiting rooms were cramped dormitories and dank basement hellholes. Lazy and inept personnel foisted off supervision of these children to ruthless monitors, children themselves, who maintained order through methods so sadistic and horrific, that child abuse seems a chillingly inadequate label. Charles was a victim of an uncaring, ignorant, and underfunded system, one that was kept just out of the view of polite society; hence, this true story is an American tragedy. It is a human portrayal of an uncommon nature, and no one thing contributes more to its value than its authenticity, It gives you a glimpse into the protected world of institutional “bad players, “administrators, monitors, and teachers who stood side by side with idiots and madmen and committed atrocities that caused many children to flee into an unconventional brand of protection because there was no legitimate protection for them. It also shines a light on children forced to remain in darkened basements, drained of their childhood vigor, rocking on sore tailbones alone and afraid, who were later released into the community to carry their emotional wounds for the rest of their lives--and this was the coup de grace of the state's final blow. This story is about human triumph and courage; how two brothers cared for each other when no one else would; how they understood each other when no one else did; and how they desperately clung to the needed components of love and friendship to survive, together, their ultimate victory from systemic governmental and bureaucratic misconduct.

488 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, what a harrowing tale, the fact that it's a true story makes it even more disturbing and difficult to read but I couldn't put it down either. The story of two young boys, brothers actually, who were institutionalized for no other reason but no one wanted them. The bond between the brothers is unshakeable. The younger of the pair, Charles was steadfast in in his belief that he did not belong at the institute, nor did the elder brother Robert. The hell these two lived through, along with the other residents was quite remarkable. There is some foul language and very graphic accounts of the abuse and horror of the lives led in the institution, so be prepared for the intensity.

[KaWoodtiereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very hard to get through because it provides a graphic depiction of the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that a boy was subjected to. However, the underlying story about two brothers is very touching and reminds us of what is important in life. This book was written to spread awareness of Child Abuse and if you can stomach the tragedies that continue page after page, you should read this book.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story of a man and his brother, who were sent to a state mental institution by accident. There they were horribly abused for years. It is about a struggle for survival in a f***ed up system and how he now is involved in system change.

[Gayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story, quite sad and disturbing.

I was shocked by this information but also learned something I didn’t know anything about. How does this happen? Glad the brothers finally got out of that situation.

[Jny733 Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty disturbing read...

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an extremely disturbing but worthwhile read. The injustices Carroll endured need to be known if only to help others who suffer in silence.

[Charles A, · Rating 5 out of 5]

I coulden't put it down. Great book! What honesty!

[Mdm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw. Sad. Gripping. You want to save every child from physical abuse once you realize how corrupt the system was for these two brothers.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this story was about horrific circumstances it was well written. It brought to light the abuse and neglect visited on children in the foster system in the early 1950's. It's hard to believe that Charles and his brother survived this treatment and went on to live productive lives. Take the time to read this book, it is thought provoking.

[Donna Medina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I could give 3 1/2 stars...

[Tommy Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

never have i felt more betrayed or hopeless for another human