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Can I Let You Go? #2
The Silent Cry
The heartbreaking true story of a young, troubled mother who needed help.
The sixteenth fostering memoir by Cathy Glass.
It’s a big, exciting moment for Laura when she decides to finally take her new baby out to the school playground for the first time ever. What should be a happy, magical moment quickly sours, however, when Laura suddenly feels queasy and runs off back home. None of the other schoolyard mothers seem to notice this troubled, struggling woman – apart from Cathy. But when Cathy tries to help, she finds herself hitting wall after wall. Laura needs medical help but refuses to see a doctor. Her own cold mother refuses to help. It is left to Cathy to try and bring light to this dark and dangerous place.
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First published February 22, 2016
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About the author
Cathy Glass
180 books2,242 followersCathy Glass is a bestselling British author, freelance writer and foster carer.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
March 2, 2016
i always enjoy reading cathy glass books but felt disappointed by this one
June 7, 2017
Having read a few of Cathy Glass' books some years ago, I looked forward to reading this based on several favourable reviews from other readers. The story draws attention to the important and often thankless job of foster care workers as is the case with her other stories; however I felt the title and synopsis was quite misleading as the young girl in question, Kim, is only ever a minor character in the overall story. In the last half of the book, she is barely mentioned at all. This memoir is perhaps best described as an overall picture of foster caring as Cathy and her family meet several children who are in need of support.
The story of Kim surrounds her mothers descent into postnatal psychosis after the birth of her baby brother. Undoubtedly Kim was affected by her mothers ill health but she was not left alone as the cover of the book suggests; she has an ever present grandmother and a father who collectively seek the right support for their loved one (which, thankfully, is achieved).
I enjoyed Glass' descriptions of her time caring for Samson, a young boy with behavioural difficulties. I felt his story alone could have been adapted into a whole book! Nonetheless, his story features throughout the book as do several other children's cases.
I have the utmost respect for foster carers and the social workers supporting them and their families; but I was left feeling rather disappointed that the story of Kim wasn't further explored. Cathy never provides foster care for Kim, the closest she comes to it is picking her up from school. Unlike her other foster care stories, Cathy is merely an outsider and watching much of this story unfold from across the street. An okay read, but she has published far better ones.
The story of Kim surrounds her mothers descent into postnatal psychosis after the birth of her baby brother. Undoubtedly Kim was affected by her mothers ill health but she was not left alone as the cover of the book suggests; she has an ever present grandmother and a father who collectively seek the right support for their loved one (which, thankfully, is achieved).
I enjoyed Glass' descriptions of her time caring for Samson, a young boy with behavioural difficulties. I felt his story alone could have been adapted into a whole book! Nonetheless, his story features throughout the book as do several other children's cases.
I have the utmost respect for foster carers and the social workers supporting them and their families; but I was left feeling rather disappointed that the story of Kim wasn't further explored. Cathy never provides foster care for Kim, the closest she comes to it is picking her up from school. Unlike her other foster care stories, Cathy is merely an outsider and watching much of this story unfold from across the street. An okay read, but she has published far better ones.
January 9, 2017
I clearly misunderstood when I read the preview of this book when I bought it because I guess I was assuming (I know what that makes me, ugh) it was a fiction book like 99% of the books I've read have been. I did not realize however, that it is basically the diary of a very charming foster care taker simply reporting the events of her day to day life. That's literally it. The actual "plot" if you even want to consider it one is about her neighbor who just had a baby and suffers from extreme post natal depression/psychosis. If she didn't repeat herself over and over reciting the daily agenda for the day with the kids and school then tea with her parents, etc etc etc, this entire story could have been summed up in about 10 pages. And the reader still wouldn't be "wowed" because nothing worth telling happens! Absolutely no suspense or thrill or anything to keep me interested. I know I am being harsh but I have just never been so let down by a book in my life. It actually blows my mind trying to imagine her reading this back after writing it and thinking "oh yes, this is good stuff I'm really going to keep the readers attention with this one!" NOT! If I have to force myself to keep reading just to get it over with, then it's truly bad, as usually I have to force myself to stop! This is only the second time this has happened to me (when I don't finish a book) and i absolutely hate quitting a book I've started, but I tried really hard but by page 299 (which was about 75-80% of the way) I made the final decision to just quit. I had just read 299 pages of the same story and remarks and thoughts over and over and still nothing significant had even happened yet! Sorry Cathy Glass, I just was not a fan. But now that I know her books are all nonfiction tellings of her experiences with foster kids, (which might be very interesting to some readers, I am not judging!) I won't buy anymore of her books. I'm sticking to the thriller/crime/suspense novels as they never let me down:)
January 8, 2017
This book deserves a 3.5 I think. I love Cathy Glass's books and her tales of being a foster parent. This book was a little different as it had to do with her neighbor's mental health issues and wasn't centered around a child she was fostering. Because I am such a fan, I thought it was interesting to see some other aspects of Cathy's life and how her family functions when there's no foster child with them. However, I think first time readers of hers would find the book slow.
Besides her neighbor, this book also discusses a few respite foster care placements that Cathy took during the time period of her neighbor's difficult. There are still some fostering stories in here and more information about different types of placements. Again, as a long-term reader, this was interesting, but it may not be to an new reader. I also don't think the book title and cover blurb were very fitting since there were a lot of family members in little Kim's life helping to look out for her.
Not my favorite Cathy Glass book, but it's worthwhile to read if you're already a fan.
Besides her neighbor, this book also discusses a few respite foster care placements that Cathy took during the time period of her neighbor's difficult. There are still some fostering stories in here and more information about different types of placements. Again, as a long-term reader, this was interesting, but it may not be to an new reader. I also don't think the book title and cover blurb were very fitting since there were a lot of family members in little Kim's life helping to look out for her.
Not my favorite Cathy Glass book, but it's worthwhile to read if you're already a fan.
March 1, 2016
This is quite a different work by Glass. It touches on fostering for sure, but at the same time, it also look at topics such as mental health, family relationship, new parenthood etc For those that looking for a good hard Glass's fostering memoir might be disappointed, but it is also one of her lite work, talking about her early days when both of her children are still fairly young. Although by saying that, it doesn't mean there is no usual emotions involve, just not as much and intense. A good 3.75/4 star
April 19, 2016
I really did not enjoy this book. It read like a simplified manual for foster careers. It was full of unnecessary and boring detail and so repetitive, interminable trips to the school for instance and how many times were we told about the klaxon sounding!! I found Cathy annoying with her pontificating and preaching about proper child care - she even congratulates herself "Well done me" on her genius idea of organising the sports day. It is the first of her books I have read and sadly it will be the last.
June 12, 2016
was a good book and interesting to hear more of the routine day to day routines of a foster carer and the things that crop up rather than the details of fostering one particular child but didn't find myself eager to read more.
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May 27, 2023This wasn’t a favourite but still a good book and tackles post natal depression well.
March 16, 2025
I liked this book No spoilers from me.
September 22, 2022
DNF
What a load if unnecessary waffle. Got half way through and what had happened could have been condensed on to one page. The rest was just Cathy either inappropriately using the word "for" and "presently" every other sentence or explaining something that really doesn't need explaining. I just wanted to read the story of the child, I did not need a blow by blow account of every school run and trip to the library!
What a load if unnecessary waffle. Got half way through and what had happened could have been condensed on to one page. The rest was just Cathy either inappropriately using the word "for" and "presently" every other sentence or explaining something that really doesn't need explaining. I just wanted to read the story of the child, I did not need a blow by blow account of every school run and trip to the library!
August 17, 2016
This book was good and I couldn't put it down. Probably due to the true story element. I liked how it mixed the fostering stories and the mental health story, but feel like it could of focused more on the later, as that was what was implied in the blurb. Though it was interesting to get an insight into foster care. I would be interested in reading more of her books.
June 9, 2024
I feel this book is different from
Cathy glass other books as to me it doesn’t focus on the little girl much that the book cover intended but of several children she fostering . It does show how much foster careers are needed and at short notice .
Not one of my favourites from Cathy , but did keep me reading
Cathy glass other books as to me it doesn’t focus on the little girl much that the book cover intended but of several children she fostering . It does show how much foster careers are needed and at short notice .
Not one of my favourites from Cathy , but did keep me reading
January 30, 2020
Not as good as Cathy’s other novels. This one felt choppy and all over the place with too many cases and families in the one tale.
May 10, 2023
First book by Cathy Glass that I didn't enjoy... I love her books, but this one was a struggle to get through...
September 8, 2022
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have enjoyed all of her books! There's such touching stories, some of them are rather heartbreaking, but I think the world needs people like Kathy Glass. Without people like her, children and heartbreaking situations. Don't have a chance. I can't imagine what emotions she goes through watching all the children she does, some severely abused. But I admire what she does, and love to hear her stories. So if you'd like to read, fostering, memoirs or things about Children that I've had it rough, and see the good side of the world people looking out for other people in our humanity, I recommend this book!
March 14, 2016
Cathy Glass has been a foster carer for more than twenty years, and through her books she shares these experiences, and the experiences of the children in her care.
This is mainly the story of Laura, a mother who is suffering from postpartum psychosis, and not the story of a child Cathy is fostering. However, it is also partly the story of Samson, a boy Cathy takes in for respite a few times, and of Shelley, a young mother doing her best.
Though different from Cathy's other books, especially in that it covered the stories of multiple lives, it was still and interesting read. I actually watched a documentary on postpartum psychosis a month or so ago so it was really interesting to see it described here. It's kind of like the emotional incest story she told in Daddy's Little Princess - a subject that's not often talked about so it's great that she brought some awareness to it through her writing.
Even though this story happened a while ago (Adrian and Paula were very young in this book), I don't think the culture of shame around mental illness has changed very much. That's saddening to think about, really.
Because Cathy was involved more as an outsider, though, the story felt a little sparse and padded out with the stories of Samson and Shelley, even though they logically made sense to tell as they occurred at the same time. This is not necessarily a criticism, but I felt it was lacking a little of what I enjoy most about Cathy's book - a connection with a child. I did especially like how she captured Samson's personality, though he was not with her long enough for her to form that special connection with him.
As always, though, Cathy Glass remains an author who doesn't disappoint. There was enough closure with each story that it felt complete, and she will definitely remain on my auto-buy list.
This is mainly the story of Laura, a mother who is suffering from postpartum psychosis, and not the story of a child Cathy is fostering. However, it is also partly the story of Samson, a boy Cathy takes in for respite a few times, and of Shelley, a young mother doing her best.
Though different from Cathy's other books, especially in that it covered the stories of multiple lives, it was still and interesting read. I actually watched a documentary on postpartum psychosis a month or so ago so it was really interesting to see it described here. It's kind of like the emotional incest story she told in Daddy's Little Princess - a subject that's not often talked about so it's great that she brought some awareness to it through her writing.
Even though this story happened a while ago (Adrian and Paula were very young in this book), I don't think the culture of shame around mental illness has changed very much. That's saddening to think about, really.
Because Cathy was involved more as an outsider, though, the story felt a little sparse and padded out with the stories of Samson and Shelley, even though they logically made sense to tell as they occurred at the same time. This is not necessarily a criticism, but I felt it was lacking a little of what I enjoy most about Cathy's book - a connection with a child. I did especially like how she captured Samson's personality, though he was not with her long enough for her to form that special connection with him.
As always, though, Cathy Glass remains an author who doesn't disappoint. There was enough closure with each story that it felt complete, and she will definitely remain on my auto-buy list.
June 13, 2018
I initially wanted to give it 1 star, but considering that this is based on real-life experience the book deserves another (or rather half) star.
It might be argued that Glass does not set out to be a literary writer, and that one should not be so harsh with her. Indeed, but then she is also an author to several other books, which meant that she should have grasped how to improve the quality. There are a lot of details which can be omitted - such as her justification on opening a door to let a visitor in. At the same time she left the rather crucial parts out, such as her conversation with the social worker after discovering the traces of abuse on Samson’s body. Not asking for details due to privacy, but not expecting only a line brushing of the issue either.
Furthermore, what is the largest issue is seemingly the title and the content not really being of much coherence. As the title (at least to my Kindle version) suggests, this book is about Kim and Laura. However, it is a disappointment when around 60% of the book is not on that. It is okay if you want to talk about your foster children (my favourite parts are the sections dealing with Samson, in fact), or your own children, but then the title is rather misleading.
There is also a problem with writing with the first person, which requires a lot more tact than writers realise. One easily falls under the trap of seeming to be justifying too much, or being too egotistic.
It might be argued that Glass does not set out to be a literary writer, and that one should not be so harsh with her. Indeed, but then she is also an author to several other books, which meant that she should have grasped how to improve the quality. There are a lot of details which can be omitted - such as her justification on opening a door to let a visitor in. At the same time she left the rather crucial parts out, such as her conversation with the social worker after discovering the traces of abuse on Samson’s body. Not asking for details due to privacy, but not expecting only a line brushing of the issue either.
Furthermore, what is the largest issue is seemingly the title and the content not really being of much coherence. As the title (at least to my Kindle version) suggests, this book is about Kim and Laura. However, it is a disappointment when around 60% of the book is not on that. It is okay if you want to talk about your foster children (my favourite parts are the sections dealing with Samson, in fact), or your own children, but then the title is rather misleading.
There is also a problem with writing with the first person, which requires a lot more tact than writers realise. One easily falls under the trap of seeming to be justifying too much, or being too egotistic.
October 11, 2019
I am a big fan of Cathy's books, but this one was not on the same level as her others. This one in particular reiterated the negative feedback I sometimes see in reviews of her books (ex: reiterating very mundane details that do not contribute anything to the story). I typically do not have an issue with the level of detail in her novels, as I see it similar to her fostering log and helps paint a very clear picture of the day to day for an experienced foster carer, but I do have to admit this one was a bit much, in particular since this one as not specifically focused on Laura and Kim's story as the synopsis may lead you to believe. It was nice to see other children's stories throughout this one, but I was not desperately turning pages with this book like I usually do with her others. If this had been the first novel of Cathy's I had picked up, I may have been interested to read more due to my interest in social services and fostering, but it definitely not the most memorable of her novels.
December 26, 2023
Decent read. The book seems to be directed towards readers who are interested in psychology, education, or parenting. It could be helpful to someone who's interested in becoming a foster carer. Sometimes it felt like we're getting too many details (the author would explain why she did something or why something is the way that it is or she'd add extra (seemingly unnecessary) details about an event), which might make it a bit boring for some people. I did appreciate those additions, though, as it made the book feel like a chat with a friend.
From the cover we get the impression that the story is about Kim and her mom, but it never felt like there was a main character - it was sort of a personal diary that involved a lot of people.
I would have given the book a different title.
From the cover we get the impression that the story is about Kim and her mom, but it never felt like there was a main character - it was sort of a personal diary that involved a lot of people.
I would have given the book a different title.
October 28, 2016
The book although addressing a very important topic of postnatal psychosis and support of family in this regard but I did not find the story as grasping as damaged, another forgotten child or baby's first cry.
Though it does bring awareness of Psychiatric issue specially postnatal psychosis which routinely goes unnoticed but can lead to serious consequences.
Plus how a child like Samson who actually is a pleasant and good hearted child can be lead into criminal activities if not given proper adult attention and supervision.
Though it does bring awareness of Psychiatric issue specially postnatal psychosis which routinely goes unnoticed but can lead to serious consequences.
Plus how a child like Samson who actually is a pleasant and good hearted child can be lead into criminal activities if not given proper adult attention and supervision.
January 5, 2017
3.5
I always enjoy reading Cathy Glass books, and although this one was different to her others, and not as enjoyable, it was still a nice read.
This book, rather than just focussing mainly on a foster child, it also featured a friend who was suffering from postnatal psychosis (which I had not heard of before), I only wish it would have focused more on Laura and her mental health, as having the chance to read his kind of thing could also help other mother's potentially suffering from the same condition.
I always enjoy reading Cathy Glass books, and although this one was different to her others, and not as enjoyable, it was still a nice read.
This book, rather than just focussing mainly on a foster child, it also featured a friend who was suffering from postnatal psychosis (which I had not heard of before), I only wish it would have focused more on Laura and her mental health, as having the chance to read his kind of thing could also help other mother's potentially suffering from the same condition.
April 28, 2016
Cathy Glass books are always accessible to all readers. However, because of this, there are lots of repeated lines and in depth detail where it is easy for me to grasp the first time. I think this is good for people who may not understand the concepts that she is talking about but for a higher level of reader it gets a bit annoying in parts. That being said I am glad that there were happy endings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2016
I was lucky enough to win this book through a Goodread's giveaway and really enjoyed it. I particularly liked the writing style which made it easy to read and yet it also covered a range of issues including postnatal psychosis, which I had never heard of before. This is the first book I have read by Cathy Glass and I'll definatly be reading more.
May 26, 2016
This is the second Cathy Glass book I have read and the stories were captivating and touched on some subjects that definitely need more awareness (PND), however I found the writing style a little boring. Samson was a true little character and brought the book to life, he made me chuckle after feeling down about Laura's story.
August 8, 2016
I was rather dissapointed in this book, it wasn't exactly a fostering memorial, more about PND, although that isn't a bad topic at all and there has to be more known about it, it isn't why I started reading this book. Also, the way of writing was just different from the rest of the books. Again, it isn't bad and a good topic, but if I'd known, I wouldn't have bought it.
September 12, 2023
This book was not about one of her foster children like her other books. It was about her neighbor. Books written by a foster mom about the children she fosters is exciting. Books written by a nosey neighbor.. not so much. I couldn't even follow this book. I started it over a few times and then just gave up and returned it.
May 4, 2024
This book was not her best work. There was a lot of bouncing around between kids in the book. Usually, she focuses on the story of the one child that she takes in but that wasn't the case with this book. The child that should have been the main focus wasn't brought up until about halfway through the book. Not bad but it wasn't the best.
April 10, 2016
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways. First, Foster Carers are my heroes. Second, while the theme of this book is an important subject and foster stories need to be heard, I do not like Glass' writing style. Doubt I will read any more of her books.
July 15, 2021
If you’re expecting the story of Kim, the child mentioned on the front of the book, then don’t bother reading it. It’s barely about Kim at all. This is about the story of her parent but also two/three other families.
Personally, I didn’t enjoy this one as much at all. It felt fragmented.
Personally, I didn’t enjoy this one as much at all. It felt fragmented.
March 16, 2016
brilliant book hard to put down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews