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The Kurim Case: A Terrifying True Story of Child Abuse, Cults & Cannibalism
The Kurim Case: A Terrifying True Story of Child Abuse, Cults & Cannibalism
In May of 2007, in a small, quiet town in the South Moravia region of the Czech Republic, a technical glitch - a simple, accidental crossing of signals - revealed just such a case, and an entire nation watched transfixed with horror as the grisly extent of the perversion of the maternal instinct was revealed. Two small brothers named Jakub and Ondrej, nine and seven years old respectively, were revealed to have suffered confinement, mutilation, psychological brutality, and cannibalism at the hands of several people - foremost among them their own mother and her sister.
The ensuing investigation and trial captivated the country as a web of secrecy and manipulation was laid bare. That entire nation's attention was transfixed as the disappearance of a teenage girl revealed a daring case of concealed identity and international intrigue, culminating in a thousand-mile chase in the depths of a Scandinavian winter.
The allegations that were levelled would keep any parent of a young child awake at night. A secretive cult operating in close proximity to children: stealing, forging medical records, and possibly attempting to create a new messiah was in full swing. All the while its members appeared, on the surface, to be models of excellent caregivers.
This is the story of the infamous 'Kurim Case', an investigation that engrossed the public and media of a whole country for two years. It is a story of intense cruelty and sadism, inflicted on the most vulnerable members of society.
If you are especially sensitive to accounts of the suffering of children, you may find it advisable not to read any farther.
If, however, you seek to understand the darker side of human nature by coming face to face with it, then this book is written for you. Scroll up and click on the Buy Now button at the top of this page, and begin looking into the remarkable story behind 'The Kurim Case'.
102 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2016
1486 people are currently reading
1748 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Green
32 books483 followersRyan Green is a true crime author in his late thirties. He lives in Herefordshire, England with his wife, three children, and two dogs. Outside of writing and spending time with his family, Ryan enjoys walking, reading and windsurfing.
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ryan is fascinated with History, Psychology and True Crime. In 2015, he finally started researching and writing his own work and at the end of the year, he released his first book on Britain's most notorious serial killer, Harold Shipman.
He has since written several books on lesser-known subjects, and taken the unique approach of writing from the killer's perspective. He narrates some of the most chilling scenes you'll encounter in the True Crime genre.
"Ryan Green is an incredible storyteller...he doesn’t just tell the story, he allows you to be part of it." ~Blackbird
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
February 6, 2017
This was an informative read about a case of abuse that happened in the Czech Republic in 2007 that was uncovered completely by accident after a family's baby monitor picked up a feed of a couple of young brothers who'd been confined and tied up, and subject to much abuse. When the case was looked into and the place finally found that had the boys, the story became even stranger. There were indications of cult involvement in the abuse, and even some cannibalism. One of the people involved turned out to be not at all what they seemed also, and would change their identity and gender more than once it seemed. An unusual tale that left an odd feeling on finishing.
August 26, 2016
I listened to this book with an Audible copy given to me from the author for review purposes.
The author gives a warning at the beginning of the book. I have read a number of both true crime and horror books. I thought it was a good warning for readers who are new to the genre. I guess I didn't pay enough attention though. This book is everything he warned about. I read true crime because the human mind fascinates me. I want to to know the why. I want to understand. I believe that is key to changing things. This case, though, truly horrified me.
It is, in my opinion, well written. The author has the facts and was able to put everything out there. I liked the narrator. I felt that the way he read was fitting for the book he was reading. I don't know how he did it. I don't believe I could read this book aloud. It was difficult enough for me to listen to it. If you don't know the case pay attention to its description and the warning. If you, like me, are interested in the mind, both good and bad, then this case will interest you. I don't recommend it for everyone. I had to stop listening and go watch a couple Disney princess movies followed by some fun dog videos. Even then I was haunted by the case.
The author gives a warning at the beginning of the book. I have read a number of both true crime and horror books. I thought it was a good warning for readers who are new to the genre. I guess I didn't pay enough attention though. This book is everything he warned about. I read true crime because the human mind fascinates me. I want to to know the why. I want to understand. I believe that is key to changing things. This case, though, truly horrified me.
It is, in my opinion, well written. The author has the facts and was able to put everything out there. I liked the narrator. I felt that the way he read was fitting for the book he was reading. I don't know how he did it. I don't believe I could read this book aloud. It was difficult enough for me to listen to it. If you don't know the case pay attention to its description and the warning. If you, like me, are interested in the mind, both good and bad, then this case will interest you. I don't recommend it for everyone. I had to stop listening and go watch a couple Disney princess movies followed by some fun dog videos. Even then I was haunted by the case.
September 5, 2020
Rather dull and tedious.
I read another of Ryan's books and enjoyed it, this wasn't the same. It's 99 pages but nothing of true interest on the case but until after 40%. There was so much cumbersome history into the many people involved. It was really hard to keep track of who was who.
The abuse inflicted was indeed horrific and sadistic. Later in the book the court case and trial outlines some of the conflicting testimony on why and how it occurred. The truth seemed exceptionally evasive. Overall I was genuinely bored. It was frustrating to try to follow particular people and their part in it. I'd like to have read more on the two victimised boys and their fate.
I couldn't give it 3 stars so it's more 2.5 from me. I'll try still another of Ryan's books.
I read another of Ryan's books and enjoyed it, this wasn't the same. It's 99 pages but nothing of true interest on the case but until after 40%. There was so much cumbersome history into the many people involved. It was really hard to keep track of who was who.
The abuse inflicted was indeed horrific and sadistic. Later in the book the court case and trial outlines some of the conflicting testimony on why and how it occurred. The truth seemed exceptionally evasive. Overall I was genuinely bored. It was frustrating to try to follow particular people and their part in it. I'd like to have read more on the two victimised boys and their fate.
I couldn't give it 3 stars so it's more 2.5 from me. I'll try still another of Ryan's books.
October 7, 2018
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request ad have voluntarily left this review.
This book has left me feeling confused and in need of actual research. The first problem was the Czech language. As the book itself is aimed at English speaking True Crime fans, it would have been nice if Green had used the Czech words the first time and just used the translated versions afterwards, but he continued to use the Czech language throughout, which kept throwing me because I didn't know what they meant and I found it quite hard to follow the book, which was in itself quite hard to follow anyway. The second problem was the writing style. While the case itself seems interesting, albeit gruesome and terrible, the way Green writes makes the case seem a lot more convoluted than it is (it is convoluted but it really isn't as confusing as this book made it seem) and it was very difficult to follow because of the vast amount of people he was mentioning. I understood who Klara and Katarina were, and the two sons, and Barbra, who was Annika and then Adam? and she had a father who kept getting mentioned but there was another family who took her in and they were in Norway but then they were in the Czech Republic? I got that there was a cult involvement, but for the amount of time that this book dedicated to Barbra, I still don't understand who she was, how Klara managed to adopt her as Annika when there were no records of her and she was pretending to be 13 as a 33 year old, how as a woman in her mid thirties she managed to pass as a teenage boy, and what her purpose was? Nobody's motives could be figured out from reading this book and the whole book was just confusing.
For once, the author was actually pretty impassive regarding the criminals, which is pretty rare. However, Ernie Sprance was a really good narrator, except for the problem of mispronouncing a couple words.
This book has left me feeling confused and in need of actual research. The first problem was the Czech language. As the book itself is aimed at English speaking True Crime fans, it would have been nice if Green had used the Czech words the first time and just used the translated versions afterwards, but he continued to use the Czech language throughout, which kept throwing me because I didn't know what they meant and I found it quite hard to follow the book, which was in itself quite hard to follow anyway. The second problem was the writing style. While the case itself seems interesting, albeit gruesome and terrible, the way Green writes makes the case seem a lot more convoluted than it is (it is convoluted but it really isn't as confusing as this book made it seem) and it was very difficult to follow because of the vast amount of people he was mentioning. I understood who Klara and Katarina were, and the two sons, and Barbra, who was Annika and then Adam? and she had a father who kept getting mentioned but there was another family who took her in and they were in Norway but then they were in the Czech Republic? I got that there was a cult involvement, but for the amount of time that this book dedicated to Barbra, I still don't understand who she was, how Klara managed to adopt her as Annika when there were no records of her and she was pretending to be 13 as a 33 year old, how as a woman in her mid thirties she managed to pass as a teenage boy, and what her purpose was? Nobody's motives could be figured out from reading this book and the whole book was just confusing.
For once, the author was actually pretty impassive regarding the criminals, which is pretty rare. However, Ernie Sprance was a really good narrator, except for the problem of mispronouncing a couple words.
June 28, 2022
تبدأ أحداث هذه القصة الحقيقية بشراء أب لكاميرا مراقبة لطفله المولود حديثا.
وخلال محاولته برمجة الكاميرا أطلع بالخطأ على بث منقول من خارج منزله. انصعق الأب للمنظر الذي شاهده في هذا البث المباشر.
منظر طفل مهمل بلا ملابس يلعب في ركن مظلم. تجاهل الأب الموضوع، ولكن بعد يوم عاد وشاهد نفس الطفل بلا تغيير في حالته المزرية.
وهكذا اكتشفت الشرطة التشيكية أول خيوط الجريمة بتفتيشهم البيوت المجاورة.
وكانت الصدمة بالعثور على طفل محبوس في غرفة ضيقة أسفل الدرج مليئة بالقذارات وبقايا الطعام. وبفحص جسده اكتشفوا آثار لسوء المعاملة.
وبعد ذلك اكتشفوا أن له أخ عاد من المدرسة للتو ويعاني من نفس الآثار والجروح.
أشارت أصابع الاتهام للأم وأختها، وبعد التحقيق توصلوا لما هو أكبر حيث كان هناك أشخاص آخرين مشاركين في الجريمة.
وهم أعضاء لمجموهة تمارس طقوسا غريبة تتضمن الإساءة للأطفال وكذلك الاتجار بالمواد الإباحية وتزوير المستندات.
تمت محاكمة جميع المتهمين وعمل تأهيل للطفلين والبحث عن ضحايا آخرين لم يتم اكتشافهم بعد.
وخلال محاولته برمجة الكاميرا أطلع بالخطأ على بث منقول من خارج منزله. انصعق الأب للمنظر الذي شاهده في هذا البث المباشر.
منظر طفل مهمل بلا ملابس يلعب في ركن مظلم. تجاهل الأب الموضوع، ولكن بعد يوم عاد وشاهد نفس الطفل بلا تغيير في حالته المزرية.
وهكذا اكتشفت الشرطة التشيكية أول خيوط الجريمة بتفتيشهم البيوت المجاورة.
وكانت الصدمة بالعثور على طفل محبوس في غرفة ضيقة أسفل الدرج مليئة بالقذارات وبقايا الطعام. وبفحص جسده اكتشفوا آثار لسوء المعاملة.
وبعد ذلك اكتشفوا أن له أخ عاد من المدرسة للتو ويعاني من نفس الآثار والجروح.
أشارت أصابع الاتهام للأم وأختها، وبعد التحقيق توصلوا لما هو أكبر حيث كان هناك أشخاص آخرين مشاركين في الجريمة.
وهم أعضاء لمجموهة تمارس طقوسا غريبة تتضمن الإساءة للأطفال وكذلك الاتجار بالمواد الإباحية وتزوير المستندات.
تمت محاكمة جميع المتهمين وعمل تأهيل للطفلين والبحث عن ضحايا آخرين لم يتم اكتشافهم بعد.
July 27, 2016
Quick read, more of an overview of an interesting case. A lot of Czech news was used as a source and it reads like a awkward research paper at times. I had never heard of this case. I feel like there is still a lot more that could be written about these people or just that the information could be synthesized better.
May 4, 2023
This is a case I'd never heard of before, it's a tough read just because it's a true story!
December 21, 2024
This shit was so twisted!! Omg thise poor children.
July 23, 2016
An interesting case study
Mr. Green has produced a solid, well-written and well-researched account of a case of extreme child abuse. The abuse was discovered quite by accident when a neighbor was setting up and testing a new baby monitor.
The investigation took many twists and turns and revealed several surprises. The trail led to a splinter cult leader with connections to the case.
As usual, I have deducted one star for more than ten errors.
Mr. Green has produced a solid, well-written and well-researched account of a case of extreme child abuse. The abuse was discovered quite by accident when a neighbor was setting up and testing a new baby monitor.
The investigation took many twists and turns and revealed several surprises. The trail led to a splinter cult leader with connections to the case.
As usual, I have deducted one star for more than ten errors.
February 10, 2019
This book read like someone had written it out, put it through Google translate, and published whatever came out.
There was little to no depth or explanation to the story. It felt like reading an extra long wikipedia article.
Although the case itself is intriguing, this book does it no justice. I would definitely recommend against reading this book and would instead implore anyone to do their own research instead.
There was little to no depth or explanation to the story. It felt like reading an extra long wikipedia article.
Although the case itself is intriguing, this book does it no justice. I would definitely recommend against reading this book and would instead implore anyone to do their own research instead.
May 29, 2019
Ryan Green has done it again. He has brought us another horrific true crime case. This case was a bit hard for me to follow not because Ryan did a bad job, because he did not, but because of the amount of people who contributed to the horrific events in this case. Ernie Sprance narrates this audiobook and does a great job bringing the facts of this case and the subsequent arrests and trials.
In May of 2007 in the small town of South Moravia region of the Czech Republic a man hooks up his video baby monitor,. Instead of seeing his child's room he sees a small child in a small room tied up. The man calls the police and shows them the video and a investigation starts to find this poor child. The police do a door to door check at the close neighbors homes. Wit the help of the man and his baby monitor they are actually able to find the home after the people living there say that no it's not there house. As the investigation goes on more and more depravity and people involved come to light. Not only is this a horrible mother abusing her children but it also goes as far as other family members and a religious cult all having hands in this horrible case.
Ryan does not go into graphic detail of all the sickening details of the abuse these children suffered. He kind of skimmed over them quickly. I have to give him credit for that. He told just enough to give you the idea and let your mind do the rest. This is a short book at only 2 hours and 53 minutes but it is filled with non stop actions of this case.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
In May of 2007 in the small town of South Moravia region of the Czech Republic a man hooks up his video baby monitor,. Instead of seeing his child's room he sees a small child in a small room tied up. The man calls the police and shows them the video and a investigation starts to find this poor child. The police do a door to door check at the close neighbors homes. Wit the help of the man and his baby monitor they are actually able to find the home after the people living there say that no it's not there house. As the investigation goes on more and more depravity and people involved come to light. Not only is this a horrible mother abusing her children but it also goes as far as other family members and a religious cult all having hands in this horrible case.
Ryan does not go into graphic detail of all the sickening details of the abuse these children suffered. He kind of skimmed over them quickly. I have to give him credit for that. He told just enough to give you the idea and let your mind do the rest. This is a short book at only 2 hours and 53 minutes but it is filled with non stop actions of this case.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 15, 2019
I'm on a true crime roll right now and don't know why but it makes me sad and I should stop, just saying. At around 100 pages, this is a pretty short but detailed (if somewhat repetitive) account of a truly tragic, fucked up case of child abuse in the Czech Republic.
I feel awkward rating that I "liked" it considering the subject matter, but the book was informative. It seems like it could use a bit more editing in certain areas, and I felt like the order of some of the relayed information was off (ie, having someone mentioned early on by name that we didn't know yet), but overall, not a bad reading experience (again, other than subject matter - books like this are so hard to review!).
I feel awkward rating that I "liked" it considering the subject matter, but the book was informative. It seems like it could use a bit more editing in certain areas, and I felt like the order of some of the relayed information was off (ie, having someone mentioned early on by name that we didn't know yet), but overall, not a bad reading experience (again, other than subject matter - books like this are so hard to review!).
December 8, 2022
I am a true crime fanatic. Give me all the books and podcasts on true crime. Sadly, this book did not feel like a book at all. It appears more like a sloppily crafted research paper. I feel like I know some things about this case now, but I still crave more details and information to fully understand the case. I also noticed some grammatical errors, such as repeated words, missing words/names, & wrong names listed. For example, a place that should have clearly named Klara, named Katerina instead. However, with all that being said, I have heard Ryan’s other books are well written so I still plan on reading his other works!
November 24, 2019
Overall this was ok. I appreciate Ryan's research and details into these cases. However, this one read more like a report detail vs a true-crime book. I like Ryan's other books when he comes at it from the point of view of the killer.
I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2020
Not enough information on the case. It felt like the author only skimmed through the case.
January 18, 2025
An interesting case but I felt like the writing was tedious and lacked cohesive descriptions.
December 31, 2021
Took too long to get to the point and was slow and hard to follow.
June 17, 2019
Bizarre
April 4, 2022
I can't remember where I heard this author from but it intrigued me enough to look into his novels. This was once of the few cases I knew nothing about so I thought I would check it out.
😳 Wow. Some people should never have had children. This case had a lot of crazy twists and turns, all of which the author explains in a simple, matter of fact way.
Entertaining, short read.
😳 Wow. Some people should never have had children. This case had a lot of crazy twists and turns, all of which the author explains in a simple, matter of fact way.
Entertaining, short read.
October 30, 2019
True crime stories always fascinate me because of the psychology behind people's actions and motives. This was a grim look at a terrible case. I liked that it did not focus on one specific person but everyone involved. I would have liked a little more background on some of the people though. That said, it was pretty short & still quite detailed.
The narrator had a great "true crime voice". I think most people who listen to audiobooks will know what I mean.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom
The narrator had a great "true crime voice". I think most people who listen to audiobooks will know what I mean.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom
January 27, 2020
The book was very short, and maybe I’m just morbid, but I didn’t feel like it went very in depth with the abuses on the boys. The title is also fairly misleading, while there is technically a cult, you don’t learn much about them. And it’s pretty just blah in explanations and doesn’t go deep into anything. Barbora is the most interesting character, but even then I felt that this was written as a college sophomore level research paper. Its an interesting topic, but I felt the writing could have gone further in depth. And for such a short book I wasn’t zooming through it either, I was just trying to finish it.
January 1, 2019
Simply the nuttiest story I have ever read...
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this story. The subtitle, which promised a story about "child abuse, cults and cannibalism" didn't even hint at the depths of the weirdness in this true case. By the end I was still baffled as to why any of this happened. The child abuse was just the key that opened the gates to Crazyland. There are more questions than answers in here and a lot more wrongness than any courtroom can address.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this story. The subtitle, which promised a story about "child abuse, cults and cannibalism" didn't even hint at the depths of the weirdness in this true case. By the end I was still baffled as to why any of this happened. The child abuse was just the key that opened the gates to Crazyland. There are more questions than answers in here and a lot more wrongness than any courtroom can address.
July 12, 2016
Really quick read.
Very interesting read.
I usually don't read this genera however, since it was so short (100pgs) and I did find it for free on Amazon, I gave it a shot.
I wanted to say easy to read, and it was pretty much easy to read, however, I had a hard time keeping the sisters apart. Which on was the mother and which one was the aunt therefore names of the characters were the confusing part since the names did come from Czech Republic.
Very interesting read.
I usually don't read this genera however, since it was so short (100pgs) and I did find it for free on Amazon, I gave it a shot.
I wanted to say easy to read, and it was pretty much easy to read, however, I had a hard time keeping the sisters apart. Which on was the mother and which one was the aunt therefore names of the characters were the confusing part since the names did come from Czech Republic.
August 10, 2016
This is a facts-based account of the Kurim case. I thought it was well-done. It was a little hard to follow, but I don't fault the author. Instead, I fault the craziness of this case and the three personalities of the main culprit.
It is amazing and fascinating how a mother can let herself be talked into doing heinous things to her children or watch them being done.
It is amazing and fascinating how a mother can let herself be talked into doing heinous things to her children or watch them being done.
September 9, 2017
This book was more tedious to read than the "begats" part of my Bible. And, it had so many characters popping in and out that I needed a pedigree chart to keep them all straight in my head. The brothers were barely mentioned at all. Barbra Skrlova and Her Identity Crisis would have been a more apt title!
February 24, 2017
Horrific story! Really good book, however this book gives you more of an overview of what happened at the start but the main content of the book is the trial - I'd recommend this to all true crime fans
April 22, 2019
Don't bother
Superficial with no depth at all. Was expecting a analysis of the case and the background what I got was worse than a badly written a level law essay.
Superficial with no depth at all. Was expecting a analysis of the case and the background what I got was worse than a badly written a level law essay.
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April 6, 2025Book Review: The Kuřim Case: A Terrifying True Story
Author: Ryan Green
Narrator: Ernie Sprance
Introduction
Ryan Green’s The Kuřim Case: A Terrifying True Story presents a harrowing account of one of the most disturbing child abuse cases in Czech history. Set against the backdrop of a small town in South Moravia in 2007, the narrative unfolds the shocking events surrounding the abuse of children, the involvement of a cult, and the gruesome details that emerged during the investigation. While the subject matter promises a gripping exploration of human depravity, the audiobook format and certain stylistic choices create barriers that hinder full engagement with the material.
Content Overview
The book covers a complex case involving multiple characters, including perpetrators and victims, as well as the societal implications of such violence. However, the narrative’s presentation leaves much to be desired. The frequent use of Czech terms without adequate translations complicates understanding, especially for listeners unfamiliar with the language. This choice detracts from the narrative’s accessibility and may alienate a broader audience that could benefit from the story’s insights.
Green’s writing, while potent with disturbing content, tends towards convolution. The structure and style can confuse listeners, making it difficult to track the intricate relationships and backgrounds of various characters. Key details about the motives and actions of these individuals often feel obscured, which may lead to frustration for those trying to piece together the grim puzzle of the Kuřim Case.
Tone and Narration
Another notable aspect of this audiobook is the author’s detached tone when discussing the criminals involved. This impassivity is somewhat unusual in true crime narratives, where emotional engagement with the subject matter is often expected. The lack of emotional depth can create a sense of disconnect, leaving listeners yearning for a more nuanced exploration of the humanity—or lack thereof—of the individuals involved.
However, the narration by Ernie Sprance deserves commendation. His delivery is engaging and has the potential to draw listeners into the narrative. Nevertheless, his occasional mispronunciation of Czech terms may further confuse those trying to absorb the material, highlighting the need for careful attention to linguistic accuracy in a work that involves significant cultural context.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Kuřim Case: A Terrifying True Story presents a profoundly disturbing topic within the realm of true crime but falters in its execution, particularly in the audiobook format. The frequent use of untranslated Czech terminology, convoluted writing style, and unclear character motivations hinder clear understanding and engagement with the narrative. While the author’s impassive tone towards the criminals may invite critical reflection, it ultimately detracts from the emotional weight that such a case warrants.
For those interested in true crime, this book might still hold appeal due to the grisly nature of its content. However, potential listeners should be prepared for challenges in deciphering the complexities of the case. Improvement in the presentation of key details and a more emotionally engaging tone could significantly enhance the impact of Green’s work.
Author: Ryan Green
Narrator: Ernie Sprance
Introduction
Ryan Green’s The Kuřim Case: A Terrifying True Story presents a harrowing account of one of the most disturbing child abuse cases in Czech history. Set against the backdrop of a small town in South Moravia in 2007, the narrative unfolds the shocking events surrounding the abuse of children, the involvement of a cult, and the gruesome details that emerged during the investigation. While the subject matter promises a gripping exploration of human depravity, the audiobook format and certain stylistic choices create barriers that hinder full engagement with the material.
Content Overview
The book covers a complex case involving multiple characters, including perpetrators and victims, as well as the societal implications of such violence. However, the narrative’s presentation leaves much to be desired. The frequent use of Czech terms without adequate translations complicates understanding, especially for listeners unfamiliar with the language. This choice detracts from the narrative’s accessibility and may alienate a broader audience that could benefit from the story’s insights.
Green’s writing, while potent with disturbing content, tends towards convolution. The structure and style can confuse listeners, making it difficult to track the intricate relationships and backgrounds of various characters. Key details about the motives and actions of these individuals often feel obscured, which may lead to frustration for those trying to piece together the grim puzzle of the Kuřim Case.
Tone and Narration
Another notable aspect of this audiobook is the author’s detached tone when discussing the criminals involved. This impassivity is somewhat unusual in true crime narratives, where emotional engagement with the subject matter is often expected. The lack of emotional depth can create a sense of disconnect, leaving listeners yearning for a more nuanced exploration of the humanity—or lack thereof—of the individuals involved.
However, the narration by Ernie Sprance deserves commendation. His delivery is engaging and has the potential to draw listeners into the narrative. Nevertheless, his occasional mispronunciation of Czech terms may further confuse those trying to absorb the material, highlighting the need for careful attention to linguistic accuracy in a work that involves significant cultural context.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Kuřim Case: A Terrifying True Story presents a profoundly disturbing topic within the realm of true crime but falters in its execution, particularly in the audiobook format. The frequent use of untranslated Czech terminology, convoluted writing style, and unclear character motivations hinder clear understanding and engagement with the narrative. While the author’s impassive tone towards the criminals may invite critical reflection, it ultimately detracts from the emotional weight that such a case warrants.
For those interested in true crime, this book might still hold appeal due to the grisly nature of its content. However, potential listeners should be prepared for challenges in deciphering the complexities of the case. Improvement in the presentation of key details and a more emotionally engaging tone could significantly enhance the impact of Green’s work.
October 2, 2021
I listened to the audiobook version on Audible, and like one of the reviews I found here, I have to agree that it is quite hard to follow the story as there were too many characters involved, and you have to focus extra hard to the narration to follow along.
The story follows the sequence of events beginning with a man accidentally picking up another image as he was testing his baby monitor. Instead of showing his own child's room, the monitor picked up the signal of a nearby house where a boy was being locked up in a dark room. Investigations revealed that this boy and his older brother had been victims of abuse by several people, including their own mother and adoptive sister.
The mother and the aunt were arrested, and the adoptive sister was sent to an institution, but later escaped. It was later revealed that the supposedly thirteen-year-old sister was actually a woman in her early-to-mid thirties suffering some kind of mental illness which led her to behave like a child. This part was actually a bit confusing to me, because through investigations, it was found that this woman's mental illness was not that severe and she actually suffered from dissociative identity disorder.
And then there was a section detailing the cult part. Apparently, the aunt was involved in this cult, and dragged her sister - the mother - along with it. The author said that the mother had always been someone who preferred to follow orders, the opposite to the aunt who liked to order her sister around (somewhere along the lines of that). When the boys, being children as they were, started misbehaving, the mother was led to believe that the only way to punish them for their disobedience to inflict physical abuse. Hell, even some parts of their flesh were taken and consumed!
Further complicating this story was when the 'sister' escaped the institution. She lived in hiding with this family under a different identity as their son. As I got to this part, I remember thinking "What the actual f---? This woman's mental!" This proved to be a terrible decision as she inadvertently dragged this family, especially the parents, to be involved in this case.
The final section of the book detailed the trial of the perpetrators. The mother admitted her guilt and stated that the only reason she abused her sons was because, as mentioned, she was led to believe that it was the only way to teach them a lesson. The others' defense were a bit difficult to follow as, like I mentioned earlier, there were too many people involved. This isn't a bad thing; after all, it's the true story. What I meant here was there were too many characters in this story that I lost track on who was who and what were their roles in this case.
In the end, all the perpetrators were found guilty and sentenced. The mother was granted leniency due to her partial innocence in the involvement of the case. But one thing that stuck to me till the time I'm writing this review is the fact that "all the perpetrators now walk free" as they had served their sentence.
As a new True Crime fan, I enjoy hearing or reading about cases that are somehow famous but not as talked about. This is one of them, and I truly enjoyed hearing about this case as it is the first time I heard about it. Some might say that this was too short, and one review even mentioned that the author spent too much time detailing the backstory of the mother and the aunt. But to me, even though this is a short read (or listen), the inclusion of said backstory is crucial for us to understand the personalities of these two women and how they were shown as we go along with the story.
Overall, the writing is very good. I'm giving this 4 stars mainly because of the reason that there were too many names to remember, but I understand that this is not the author's fault. Nevertheless, I would recommend this to people who are interested to learn about this case.
The story follows the sequence of events beginning with a man accidentally picking up another image as he was testing his baby monitor. Instead of showing his own child's room, the monitor picked up the signal of a nearby house where a boy was being locked up in a dark room. Investigations revealed that this boy and his older brother had been victims of abuse by several people, including their own mother and adoptive sister.
The mother and the aunt were arrested, and the adoptive sister was sent to an institution, but later escaped. It was later revealed that the supposedly thirteen-year-old sister was actually a woman in her early-to-mid thirties suffering some kind of mental illness which led her to behave like a child. This part was actually a bit confusing to me, because through investigations, it was found that this woman's mental illness was not that severe and she actually suffered from dissociative identity disorder.
And then there was a section detailing the cult part. Apparently, the aunt was involved in this cult, and dragged her sister - the mother - along with it. The author said that the mother had always been someone who preferred to follow orders, the opposite to the aunt who liked to order her sister around (somewhere along the lines of that). When the boys, being children as they were, started misbehaving, the mother was led to believe that the only way to punish them for their disobedience to inflict physical abuse. Hell, even some parts of their flesh were taken and consumed!
Further complicating this story was when the 'sister' escaped the institution. She lived in hiding with this family under a different identity as their son. As I got to this part, I remember thinking "What the actual f---? This woman's mental!" This proved to be a terrible decision as she inadvertently dragged this family, especially the parents, to be involved in this case.
The final section of the book detailed the trial of the perpetrators. The mother admitted her guilt and stated that the only reason she abused her sons was because, as mentioned, she was led to believe that it was the only way to teach them a lesson. The others' defense were a bit difficult to follow as, like I mentioned earlier, there were too many people involved. This isn't a bad thing; after all, it's the true story. What I meant here was there were too many characters in this story that I lost track on who was who and what were their roles in this case.
In the end, all the perpetrators were found guilty and sentenced. The mother was granted leniency due to her partial innocence in the involvement of the case. But one thing that stuck to me till the time I'm writing this review is the fact that "all the perpetrators now walk free" as they had served their sentence.
As a new True Crime fan, I enjoy hearing or reading about cases that are somehow famous but not as talked about. This is one of them, and I truly enjoyed hearing about this case as it is the first time I heard about it. Some might say that this was too short, and one review even mentioned that the author spent too much time detailing the backstory of the mother and the aunt. But to me, even though this is a short read (or listen), the inclusion of said backstory is crucial for us to understand the personalities of these two women and how they were shown as we go along with the story.
Overall, the writing is very good. I'm giving this 4 stars mainly because of the reason that there were too many names to remember, but I understand that this is not the author's fault. Nevertheless, I would recommend this to people who are interested to learn about this case.
October 21, 2022
As far as true crime novels go, this one is by no means the best, but it's not the worst, either.
I think the thing that really makes this book difficult is the amount of characters involved in it. I personally felt that I needed a map because the book wasn't very effective at distinguishing all of the people featured in this case. I had to pause multiple times just to work out what was happening in my mind because it all felt so convoluted. We would switch back and forth in every paragraph to some new mention of someone and it would feel like whiplash.
In truth, this is a complex case with a myriad of twists and turns and I just don't think those twists and turns were navigated correctly in this book. I think the author did a good sense of conveying the confusion of this case, but as a reader, that's not something I want for myself. I want to see the events unfolding in a simple manner that is easily conveyable to me. I believe the whole overarching idea of this book really concludes with, "We don't know why this happened," but it takes that statement and makes it so unbelievably complicated that I was left thinking, "Wait, does this book tell me why this happened, or do we simply not know why this happened?"
Also, I don't know why the author would include statements from the people in this case in their native language and then translate them into English immediately after. Just tell your audience what they said in English instead of trying to make them read a language they do not understand unless they are fluent in it, because I can assure everyone, I am not fluent in any of the languages mentioned in this book.
I think the thing that really makes this book difficult is the amount of characters involved in it. I personally felt that I needed a map because the book wasn't very effective at distinguishing all of the people featured in this case. I had to pause multiple times just to work out what was happening in my mind because it all felt so convoluted. We would switch back and forth in every paragraph to some new mention of someone and it would feel like whiplash.
In truth, this is a complex case with a myriad of twists and turns and I just don't think those twists and turns were navigated correctly in this book. I think the author did a good sense of conveying the confusion of this case, but as a reader, that's not something I want for myself. I want to see the events unfolding in a simple manner that is easily conveyable to me. I believe the whole overarching idea of this book really concludes with, "We don't know why this happened," but it takes that statement and makes it so unbelievably complicated that I was left thinking, "Wait, does this book tell me why this happened, or do we simply not know why this happened?"
Also, I don't know why the author would include statements from the people in this case in their native language and then translate them into English immediately after. Just tell your audience what they said in English instead of trying to make them read a language they do not understand unless they are fluent in it, because I can assure everyone, I am not fluent in any of the languages mentioned in this book.
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