Orpans of an Angel

by Jay Aston

Orphans of an Angel, is a tragic, but true story of Evelyn Dalton, aged 42, who struggles to survive, burdened by destitution and excruciating abdominal pains. Her life becomes a battle for survival for herself and her four young boys. Set against the backdrop of deteriorating health, mounting debts mean she has only enough food for five days of the week. Social Services Child Welfare become aware of her plight and difficulties and deliver ultimatums relating to child care. As if matters couldn't get worse, she is evicted from her home, plunging the family into dire straits and purgatory. Inevitably, Social Services become agitated and resolve to take her boys into child-care if conditions do not improve. Unexpectedly, Evelyn collapses with further agonising pains and is admitted to hospital for emergency open surgery. Misdiagnosis of her symptoms result in her drifting into a coma. Unable to provide adequate care, her boys are condemned to life inside a Children's Home. The youngest two children, aged four and ten, spend up to twelve years of their lives incarcerated. None of her four boys see their mother again as their crisis deepens into a battle for their own survival. A further catastrophe epitomises their anguish and pitiful existence. They are Motherless, fatherless, homeless and destitute. Then it gets worse.

Genres: Biography

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2020

About the author

Orphans of an Angel
A tragic, but true story of Evelyn Dalton's struggle to survive, burdened by destitution and serious health conditions. Social Services become concerned and threaten to take her four boys into child-care if conditions do not improve. As if matters couldn't get worse, husband Eddie abandons the family and plunges her life into dire straits and purgatory when she is evicted from her home. Unexpectedly, Evelyn collapses with excruciating abdominal pains and is admitted to hospital for emergency open surgery. Misdiagnosis of her symptoms result in her drifting into a coma. Unable to provide adequate care, her boys are condemned to a Children's Home. The youngest two children, aged four and ten, spend their childhood incarcerated. Evelyn’s four boys never see their mother again as their crisis deepens into a battle for their own survival. Four orphans became motherless, fatherless, homeless and destitute.

Reviews

[Trisha Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A diamond in the rough

There is always something compelling when you read a true story and this one hooks you in. The content and flow will keep you reading the tragic circumstances until the bitter end. I found myself always rooting for the children and their mum although I knew it wasn't going to end well. This is the kind of sad tale which will grip you and bring out your mothering instincts or protective shield. You just want to make it all better if you are a mum yourself.

As much as I was gripped, there were downsides to the story; what is lacking here is a thorough edit. Even a few ARC readers could have pointed out the countless typos and errors throughout. Red boots that were then black, for example. Told in a first person POV and then switching from one person to the next. It doesn't work that way. Maybe, the writer would have been better explaining from the beginning that he was writing this from his own memory of the parts he knew and presuming the other parts. One person could not know what is happening behind closed doors miles away. The wording was that of an adult throughout, not so much a young child recalling memories.

Also there are many problems with tense. For example, jumping from the conversation between the elder brothers just one year after their mother's death, when there is another bombshell, to saying how many years the younger brothers have been in care as if it is in the past already, this sort of thing. In reality, they've only been there a year at this point. A good editor would pick up all these flaws/plot holes and turn this story into the 24 carat it deserves without detracting from the content.

I do recommend this book, there was something about it which drew me in from the start to finish. I have had to remove stars, not for the story but for the lack of finishing off the editing and formatting.

[Sheena Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic tale of struggle, grief and resentment. A moving written account of the life of the author, honestly written.

[Anna Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well written account of the life of the sons, Mum, and mostly absent Dad. It was the 1960s in a coal mining village in the UK. The mum adored her husband, it appears he adored his mistress Roxy and her son (his?) more than his own family.

Evelyn was a hard working loving Mum who was unwell, the doctors told her to take Milk of Magnesia for her severe stomach pains (It's 2021 in the UK, nothing health wise has changed until it's too late). She eventually she needs an operation for gallstones which appears a success. In between she loses her coal board house, her husband no longer works there. The Dad gives no money for his sons.

Evelyn's parents were very good, and kind. The granddad thought the boys a lot. Social security were not much help money wise (2021 nothing has changed there either). Evelyn cleans houses, hides from debtors.

She does not want to lose her children to a children's home. Her step sister Ruth, and husband Jack helps out. The Dad asks his Mother to take some of the boys in. That grandmother hated Evelyn, this would be the first time she sees her grandchildren.

What no one knows is Evelyn was longing for a baby girl, because her 1st was a baby girl who was still born. These children were never buried or remembered. I think until very recently people campaigned for children still born be treated with dignity.

I do not know how this woman carried on. I think she hoped one day her husband would return. She loved him until the end of her life. Eventually not long after her operation for gallstones she collapses. She is operated on they find more gallstones. She is sewn back up but her B/P is dropping There were no scans in those days that could check for internal bleeding. She was put on a life support machine only to die about a week later.

The Dad comes to her funeral, but is not welcomed by his sons. Someone calls Social Services who place the 4/10 year old boys in a children's home. Where are the Godparents who vow to take care of children in the event of losing parents (It's all hyprocisy which I have no time for). The 2 elder boys 16 and 18 are left to their own devices.

The 18 year old, and his girlfriend want to foster the boys along with her parents. The request is refused. We later discover the objection was raised, by none other than Ruth and Jack. So much for some family who kick you further, when you are already at the bottom. Not long after this the Dad commits suicide instead of caring for his 2 younger sons. How selfish can a person be.

I am glad all the boys, now grown men with families of their own are amazing parents, and partners. They can thank their loving Mum, and her loving parents for that. I recommend this book 100%

[Vijaya Lakshmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orphans of an Angel is an Autobiography of author Jay Aston . He has penned down a compelling account of his childhood and the pains and struggles his mother had to go through to bring up 4 boys all by her.
Evelyn a compassionate woman who loves her family and her children beyond everything else struggles throughout her life to keep her family together.
She overlooks her own health to ensure that her children are taken care of, always saying and believing that she does not have the time to fall sick. Dragging herself with the task of caring for home and making errands meet her health only deteriorates. However, she keeps ignoring her health to a point of no return.
While the family is struggling with money, Evelyn not only struggles with running the house but also her own health. She looks to her husband for support but to her dismay her husband chooses to look the other way, becoming distant to her and the children.
It is a story of a helpless mother, running from pillar to post to keep her family together, the story of the children who were so ridden by poverty that they are unable to understand or enjoy the joys of childhood.
A heavily emotional, heart wrenching tale which will certainly move you to tears. A very well written account.
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[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I offered to read and review Orphans of An Angel by Jay Aston, I had never heard of Jay Aston, at least not before his request for reviewers popped up. I’ve read many personal memoirs, some are really well written and make for interesting reading, while others are… well, let’s just say boring and that’s boring spelled B-O-R-I-N-G, which is one reason I seldom offer to review them. Jay’s blurb hooked me and reeled me in and I’m glad because Orphans of An Angel was/is one of the well written, interesting ones. I found Jay’s memoirs to be very well written once I got past his use of the King’s English when spelling many of the words. This story, the way Jay tells it, does great honor to his mom, Doris.

 Although I had no idea who Jay Aston was when I begun reading this heart wrenching memoir, I now feel as if I have known him and his brother all my life. The love that Doris had for her boys and the pain caused them by their father who abandoned them for another woman leaps off the pages. Any reader of these words who has even a modicum of empathy will experience that love and pain right along with them.

 The way Jay brings this memoir to a close will… well, read it to find out.

[Rakhi (New Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orphans of an Angel: A tragic but true story of four boys who lost everything Motherless, Fatherless, Homeless, and Unloved is the debut novel written by the author Jay Aston and its a book that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

The book started with an emotional beginning that will touch your heart. The story is based on true events and I m impressed, how the author Jay Aston has captured each emotion through his words that will not only make you feel them but will also keep you hooked to the book.

The highlights of the book are the storyline, the unique and descriptive characters, to which I m sure you will feel related and empathetic. The author has penned the story in a lucid, expressive manner and maintained the smooth flow of the story throughout the book.

I liked how the story moved forward, with pulsating energy. It became instant and more dynamic, and made me curious to read more. The reader is never quite certain what could happen next, creating tension from beginning to end. I can't wait to read other books of the author Jay Aston as his writing skills has touched my heart.

Overall a heartfelt book and must-read story.

[Santiago Shera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orphans of an Angel is a tragic story but a beautiful and worth reading one for me. As I read the preface part of the book, I already prepared myself – mentally and emotionally for the stressing, saddening, and maddening parts in the story. I am glad to get to read and know about a story of a very kind, loving, and strong mom who almost gave even her life for the sake of her children and family. I pray for her peaceful rest in heaven. I am proud of the author who courageously wrote this book even if it meant that he had to recall the bitter memories of his youth.

The author accomplished to honor his mother’s peaceful death and unconditional love for their household despite the struggles they had in their lives. Moreover, the author has also achieved to make this book entertaining for the readers by adding fictitious elements to the plot. I admire the author for it must have taken a lot of courage for him to write this book from the memories of his childhood and mother.

[Sree Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. This story is really a emotion provoking one. It made me to feel very sad from the beginning till the last. The story begins with the mother and the four kids who are striving because of poverty. So being a mother she sacrificed everything for her children and she loser her healthy life and died. After their mother's death the four kids became homeless. The story is really heart warming. This is the worst situation which no one should experience in their lives. But look at this children and how much they will be suffered. Finally this is the memory and life story of this author. He wrote this book with so much pain and feeling. This is not only his story, this is the situation where most of the people are facing in this world. The story made me so emotional. The writing style is simple and lucid suitable for begginners though. I recommend all should read this too know the hard face of this world.

[P K Abhilipsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts with the description of it's title. It's a beautifully written heart wrenching story that describes the problems of author and her mother has gone through in the sixties. It's the story of four fatherless and homeless boys, who lost their everything after their mother died.

Story sets in with an emotional heart touching memory of author. It's very impressive of him to pen down those memories of his life in such beautiful words. The story made me feel sad and empathetic.
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The cover page gives a realistic vibe of an angelic world.
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Storyline is fascinating emotional rollercoaster ride.
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Author has tried to maintain smooth flow of incidents throughout the book.
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Due to the tragic incidents the book has and authors way of description, made it difficult for me to read this book in one go.

[Honestmamreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is a great look at how families struggled to survive in the 60s.

The father is a coal miner, the mother is at home looking after her four sons. She also has underlying health issues that make life difficult for her.

Life isn't rosy for this family, and you can't help but break your heart reading their plights. It seems like one thing after another for them.

What makes the story harder is the fact it's a true story. The author Jay Aston is in fact one of the sons.

As a mother I found this story not only heartbreaking, but a testament to how a mother's strength always comes to the fore. Here the mother always made dam sure through everything that her son's happiness was the most important thing.

[Mikitaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hearthwrenching tale filled with emotions and hardships faced by four kids who suffered from the very begining of their lives and later on lost everything. Their mother who had been the biggest support system of their lives could not fight the battle against an undiagnosed disease and had to leave the boys with a father who did not care a bit if his children were even alive. The emotions expressed feel so raw and real that i was compelled to just keep on reading without putting it down. The book can give you goosebumps and can even make you cry. Amazingly narrated. I was utterly overwhelmed by this read.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review of it.

So true stories are one of my favourite books to read, even though sometimes when reading them you think none of it could possibly have happened. I thought that this was an absolutely beautifully and well written book, I feel evermore closer to the author for reading it.

It is definitely one of them books that is so hard to put down and leave alone while you have to do something, it just drew me in quickly and wouldn't let me go, I found my mind wondering back too it every time I wasn't reading it. It was a very powerful and moving read, you go on an emotional rollercoaster, you go through lots of different emotions.

[Samantha Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has such an interesting cover. The plot was indeed interesting. BUT...something that threw me for a loop was the formatting of the book. Some of the paragraphs were too long that a few of them could have been cut in half to make another paragraph. There were also some pages that had more dialogue than description in the book. I wish I could have given this book more. It was hard for me to read due to it being so heartbreaking. The content keep it interesting but it threw me for a loop a few times.

[Asma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courage ia needed to penned down the darkest tale of ours. From the very beginning of the story I'm overwhelmed with the emotional and painful journey of the four childrens.

Poverty is the biggest issue all over the world. We can't even imagine the life of the people who are facing it.

The story that the author established is his own journey. Their survival in the crucial time after their mother's demise is portrayed in such a heartbreaking way that it will fill your heart with lots of pains

The narration is gripping in nature. Get yourself ready for a emotional rollercoaster ride.

[Vicky Peplow · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read

Wow! What a book. I have had a couple of plate nights reading this book but it was so worth it. This poor family back in the 60’s went through every hardship that any family could ever handle plus moire.
This book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions throughout this book. I highly recommend it as it's well worth a read.

[Darla Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very difficult read. Not because it was poorly written but rather because of the tragic circumstance that plagued the family throughout the story. This book doesn't come with a happily ever after so if that is what you are looking for look elsewhere. If you are looking for a well-written story that flows well then I say go ahead and give this book a try.

[Joy Bridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written true story that really pulls on the heart strings. All the way through this beautiful but sad book you just wish beyond wishes that something good will happen. Once you start this book you will not want to put it down .

[Jennifer Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. The memories of the autor are very well writen and are very interesting. I really enjoyed this book. The emotions here are heavy and got me thinking a lot about my own life and how privileged I am.

[Jane Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tragic story and worth a read, but not well written with a lot of repetition and inconsistencies.

[holly enticknap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down

Rang true in so many ways of my mam's side of the family. I could have been reading family memoirs.
Really good read xx

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad story

So sad but showed the resilience of Yorkshire woman who were born to be strong .And just got on making ends meet on such lengthy poverty .

[Lulu Lewin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the real life of some of my family members!

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would totally recommend this story, Orphans of an Angel by Jay Aston as one of my favourites. Also, I would define the story as a large pool of emotions. It is my first autobiography read and I have surely fallen in love with it.
Previously I was of notion that autobiographies are boring but this one is not. This is a marvellous and fantastic piece of work. I was hooked up with the story right from the first page of the book.
I want to write more in the praise of the book, Orphans of an Angel and the writer, Jay Aston but words have limits. Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com

[Jay Aston · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always something compelling when you read a true story and this one hooks you in. The content and flow will keep you reading the tragic circumstances until the bitter end. I found myself always rooting for the children and their mum. You just want to make it all better if you are a mum yourself.
The book can be seen as inspirational. AS mother's battle against destitution and ill health.
I do recommend this book, there was something about it which drew me in from the start to finish.