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The Asylum
For 46 years, Carol Minto has quietly gone about her life, carrying with her the most extraordinary and heartbreaking secrets.
Born into poverty and with mostly absent parents, Carol helped to raise her nine siblings. But when she was just 11 years old, her older brother began to sexually abuse her. After four years, Carol managed to escape – and ran away from home.
Picked up by social services they place her at Aston Hall in Derby; a psychiatric hospital now infamous for the ghoulish ‘truth serum’ experiments it carried out on children. Over three years, Carol was stripped, sedated, assaulted and raped by Kenneth Milner, the doctor in charge.
Eventually she is released back into the community, aged 18, and has a daughter. But the baby is taken away for adoption and Carol’s trauma intensifies.In 2010 Carol finally plucked up the courage to speak out about the abuse she suffered – and received justice, at last.
In The Asylum Carol tells the full story of how she overcame unimaginable suffering, to find the happiness and solace she has today as a mother and grandmother.
Born into poverty and with mostly absent parents, Carol helped to raise her nine siblings. But when she was just 11 years old, her older brother began to sexually abuse her. After four years, Carol managed to escape – and ran away from home.
Picked up by social services they place her at Aston Hall in Derby; a psychiatric hospital now infamous for the ghoulish ‘truth serum’ experiments it carried out on children. Over three years, Carol was stripped, sedated, assaulted and raped by Kenneth Milner, the doctor in charge.
Eventually she is released back into the community, aged 18, and has a daughter. But the baby is taken away for adoption and Carol’s trauma intensifies.In 2010 Carol finally plucked up the courage to speak out about the abuse she suffered – and received justice, at last.
In The Asylum Carol tells the full story of how she overcame unimaginable suffering, to find the happiness and solace she has today as a mother and grandmother.
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First published July 8, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
August 31, 2021
Aston Hall is utterly fascinating to me. I cannot comprehend how this place existed full of sadistic and cruel people who were meant to be in positions of power to comfort and look after these poor, damaged and vulnerable children, when in reality they seemed to take delight in hurting them, day after day and causing them unimaginable trauma and stress. Carol's story is sadly all too familiar to me after having read a number of other accounts about this place - a very strong and brave woman who has never given up her right to be heard and believed.
June 26, 2025
Trigger Alert: Sexual abuse, Molestation, incest, victim blaming
The Asylum by Ann Cusack is a heartbreaking nonfiction account of a young woman’s experience with molestation and incest by her older brother. Despite her attempts to get help, family and professionals don’t believe her, and she is ultimately committed to an asylum. The book sheds light on the trauma survivors face—not just from abuse, but from the disbelief and neglect that follow. This nonfiction book deals with incredibly difficult and important topics with honesty and sensitivity. Ann Cusack’s story is powerful and sheds light on the harsh realities many survivors face, especially when those around them refuse to believe their pain. While the subject matter is difficult, I felt some parts of the narrative were slow and wished for more insight into the people involved. The book’s atmosphere effectively conveys the isolation and confusion experienced, but overall it didn’t fully resonate with me. It’s a worthwhile read for those wanting to understand the complexities of trauma, though it didn’t completely hold my attention.
The Asylum by Ann Cusack is a heartbreaking nonfiction account of a young woman’s experience with molestation and incest by her older brother. Despite her attempts to get help, family and professionals don’t believe her, and she is ultimately committed to an asylum. The book sheds light on the trauma survivors face—not just from abuse, but from the disbelief and neglect that follow. This nonfiction book deals with incredibly difficult and important topics with honesty and sensitivity. Ann Cusack’s story is powerful and sheds light on the harsh realities many survivors face, especially when those around them refuse to believe their pain. While the subject matter is difficult, I felt some parts of the narrative were slow and wished for more insight into the people involved. The book’s atmosphere effectively conveys the isolation and confusion experienced, but overall it didn’t fully resonate with me. It’s a worthwhile read for those wanting to understand the complexities of trauma, though it didn’t completely hold my attention.
October 12, 2021
A heart rending story about a girl born into poverty and parents that were never around and she had to look after her nine siblings . When only 11 years old her older brother started to sexually abuse her and four years later she ran away from home only to be placed in a psychiatric hospital where her abuse started again by the doctor in charge . This is a book that will touch everyone who reads it and feel sorry for the hell Carol went through.
May 8, 2022
Sad tale about another true survivor from Aston hall. Well done Carol for overcoming and sharing your story with us all. 🤍
February 21, 2022
As always, it feels incredibly wrong to say I enjoyed reading a book that is so heartbreaking in so many ways, but I do like to focus on the positives and how the abused come out fighting the other side.
A harrowing read of what Carol went through, not only at home but within a psychiatric hospital too all at the hands of the people that should be looking out for her.
A harrowing read of what Carol went through, not only at home but within a psychiatric hospital too all at the hands of the people that should be looking out for her.
March 2, 2023
Wow, I cannot imagine how difficult Carol found it finally speaking up about this. My heart goes out to all who have been failed by the system.
June 26, 2021
Excellent.
This was an absorbing memoir. It starts out where 4 year old Carol has a fairly happy homelife. Some warm memories, fun times spent helping at her grandparents' farm. But everything changes, and 50 years later she's looking back on some terrible circumstances.
I've read memoirs co-authored by Ann and Joe Cusack before, and this one is also well-written, quick and easy to read, interesting and just keeps you turning the pages. A really good book. You can't help but get engrossed in it. How a family's tale can turn.
I have heard of Aston Hall, Derby before. I have another book of someone else's experiences there, but I haven't read that yet. Carol Minto had been the first one to speak out about Aston Hall. Many more complaints would follow. Derby. So not many miles from where I am. Horrible to think of what went on there, and not so many years ago.
Such a good book. Plenty of happenings, some unpredictable, so many twists and turns in her life. A gripping story.
This was an absorbing memoir. It starts out where 4 year old Carol has a fairly happy homelife. Some warm memories, fun times spent helping at her grandparents' farm. But everything changes, and 50 years later she's looking back on some terrible circumstances.
I've read memoirs co-authored by Ann and Joe Cusack before, and this one is also well-written, quick and easy to read, interesting and just keeps you turning the pages. A really good book. You can't help but get engrossed in it. How a family's tale can turn.
I have heard of Aston Hall, Derby before. I have another book of someone else's experiences there, but I haven't read that yet. Carol Minto had been the first one to speak out about Aston Hall. Many more complaints would follow. Derby. So not many miles from where I am. Horrible to think of what went on there, and not so many years ago.
Such a good book. Plenty of happenings, some unpredictable, so many twists and turns in her life. A gripping story.
November 30, 2024
This is a very harrowing and heartbreaking memoir of sexual abuse, highlighting repeated failures by social workers and the NHS. She’s abused first by her brother and tells social workers but they don’t believe her. She’s then sent to a psychiatric hospital, Aston Hall, where she’s then abused again by a doctor. It’s really just unbelievable to think this all happened. Carol’s writing is captivating and I couldn’t put the book down. I would highly recommend if you are wanting to learn more about Aston Hall but be prepared for a very distressing book.
March 7, 2025
To say I enjoyed this book doesn’t seem quite right. The horrors the author endured throughout her life leave me with sadness, anger, frustration & contempt.
August 18, 2025
A gut-wrenching read. Dealing with themes of sexual abuse against children, it may be triggering for some readers. What this author has gone through in her life is unbelievable. There were parts of the book where I thought I would have to stop reading because it was so sickening, but then I thought that if the author has been brave enough to write it, then I should listen to her story.
I hope with all of my heart that Carol Minto is doing better now and living out her last years in comfort. No one should have to go through what she did.
I hope with all of my heart that Carol Minto is doing better now and living out her last years in comfort. No one should have to go through what she did.
September 8, 2021
This is a brilliant book, it's sad what Carol went through. I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend reading it.
October 11, 2024
(Audio book). I feel bad giving 3 stars to the author's sad memoir about her sexual and mental abuse growing up but here we are. Most readers would say 'I would have done ___!/why didn't she___' etc. but Carol Minto grew up on her own with absent parents, so she had no guidance and even then helped raise her siblings while her older brother was abusing her.
Narration was just ok. Short read. Would I recommend it? No. If you're looking for a book like 'A Child Called It' this isn't it.
Narration was just ok. Short read. Would I recommend it? No. If you're looking for a book like 'A Child Called It' this isn't it.
June 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ just a really sad, upsetting story. What makes it especially sad is the fact these awful things actually happened to people.
November 23, 2024
Bästa boken ja läst detta år!!
July 10, 2021
This book had me hooked from the first page. I honestly couldn’t get my head around how a child could go through so much hardship and still be standing. Everything carol endured was evil and wrong on every level, from the abuse with Ian to the neglect from her parents. Having to grow up way before her years and then being taken away for no good reason and dragged by the social services until finding herself in Aston Hall.
I’d never heard of what went on there before reading this and have researched into it in the meantime. I think it’s disgusting that no ones been held responsible I feel dead or not if something can be proved by over 50 people including nurses and patients it should be public and those people who suffered should be given every support possible to help move on wether that be counselling or support groups or whatever’s needed.
I’m so glad I read this. It’s brought this to my attention and I feel for Carol so much but she should be proud that she’s come out the other side and raised an amazing family who are clearly a credit to her.
I’d like to thank Carol Minto, Mirror Books and NetGalley for providing me with this copy to read and review.
I’d never heard of what went on there before reading this and have researched into it in the meantime. I think it’s disgusting that no ones been held responsible I feel dead or not if something can be proved by over 50 people including nurses and patients it should be public and those people who suffered should be given every support possible to help move on wether that be counselling or support groups or whatever’s needed.
I’m so glad I read this. It’s brought this to my attention and I feel for Carol so much but she should be proud that she’s come out the other side and raised an amazing family who are clearly a credit to her.
I’d like to thank Carol Minto, Mirror Books and NetGalley for providing me with this copy to read and review.
December 16, 2021
This is one that’s difficult to put down, but overall not a feel-good story. There is an underlying unveiling of girls and their history of struggle with abuse, incest, shame, and mental hospitals. It was eye-opening to see the redemptive story from past to present.
February 26, 2025
This the second book I read on the Aston Hall atrocities, the first was The Hospital: How I Survived the Secret Child Experiments at Aston Hall by Barbara O'Hare and I wanted a chance to read a second experience on it to contrast or to simply get more information on it. This was a good companion to the first book I read, as Barbara was much younger during her experience and Carol Minto was a teenager already when she entered the "hospital". This book though, was much more tragic, in the sense that Carol was already suffering abuse(not that Barbara was not, she was physically abused and neglected as well), sexually from her own brother. I'll go into more detail on my expanded thoughts below in the spoiler section, but this book does confirm the same line of abuse but slightly different. I'm not sure if the technique was different because Carol entered in the late sixties and Barbara in 71' and it had evolved or perhaps it was different by age group or wing? Either way, it was enlightening in some areas that Barbara either could not remember or comprehend as a younger girl than Carol, and it was especially remarkable how the nurses behaved, some with willing joy at the abuse and others clearly bothered, which is sad to note as they could have came forward even after the place was shut down. I would definitely recommend this one, especially since these victims deserve to have their story heard.
SPOILERS******
Okay, first, F Carol's mother. Your ONE JOB as a mother is to protect your child, and well, I guess she did, she protected her SON. The bitter irony of Carol being the sole "parent" in the house, cleaning and taking care of the children while her mom gambles away all their money every day, only to be betrayed and loathed by her mother as the "bad" child is infuriating. Let alone, for her mother to never believe her and to turn her back on her, both as a child and as an adult. I'm going to say it bluntly, what a fucking bitch. The father is hardly any better, although his outward demeanor seems caring, the fact that he knew where she was (once she finds the letter from the hospital/social worker stating as much) then didn't even try to see her for a year, let alone get her out (this is particularly heartbreaking as it may have been easy to do, Barbara O'Hare wrote that years later she discovered she and all the girls were listed as "voluntary" residents so they could have walked out the door at any time, which is knowledge that makes me wonder if this was the same for Carol?) I also wonder about the straight jacket use in Carol's story vs. Barbaras hands tied and wonder if that was due to fear of the older girls fighting back, as Carol never mentions waking up during the "treatment" but Barbara wakes up several times. Possibly due to the concern that a younger girl could not fight back and is easier to manipulate or disavow her claims as imagination later, who knows? The biggest tragedy in this whole thing, which broke my heart was when Sunny dies, the only person she ever had love her for herself and fight for her and he leaves her far too early. It was like the final blow to a life full of heartbreak. The only shining light was her son, who turned out to be supportive of her which is a great relief and the fact that she was able to take many children into foster them to keep them out of the system. I find books of survivors like this to be important reads, not only to bring light to what happened long ago, but to allow people to spot the signs of abuse or neglect so that it can be stopped early rather than go on for years. Not that taking children and putting them into the system is any better (another reason this type of book is important, the system needs constant watching and cleaning out as it tends to harbor predators both sexual and monetary ones) but at least there is a chance to do something to help if someone can actually notice there is a serious issue going on. This was a great read and I recommend it and The Hospital.
SPOILERS******
Okay, first, F Carol's mother. Your ONE JOB as a mother is to protect your child, and well, I guess she did, she protected her SON. The bitter irony of Carol being the sole "parent" in the house, cleaning and taking care of the children while her mom gambles away all their money every day, only to be betrayed and loathed by her mother as the "bad" child is infuriating. Let alone, for her mother to never believe her and to turn her back on her, both as a child and as an adult. I'm going to say it bluntly, what a fucking bitch. The father is hardly any better, although his outward demeanor seems caring, the fact that he knew where she was (once she finds the letter from the hospital/social worker stating as much) then didn't even try to see her for a year, let alone get her out (this is particularly heartbreaking as it may have been easy to do, Barbara O'Hare wrote that years later she discovered she and all the girls were listed as "voluntary" residents so they could have walked out the door at any time, which is knowledge that makes me wonder if this was the same for Carol?) I also wonder about the straight jacket use in Carol's story vs. Barbaras hands tied and wonder if that was due to fear of the older girls fighting back, as Carol never mentions waking up during the "treatment" but Barbara wakes up several times. Possibly due to the concern that a younger girl could not fight back and is easier to manipulate or disavow her claims as imagination later, who knows? The biggest tragedy in this whole thing, which broke my heart was when Sunny dies, the only person she ever had love her for herself and fight for her and he leaves her far too early. It was like the final blow to a life full of heartbreak. The only shining light was her son, who turned out to be supportive of her which is a great relief and the fact that she was able to take many children into foster them to keep them out of the system. I find books of survivors like this to be important reads, not only to bring light to what happened long ago, but to allow people to spot the signs of abuse or neglect so that it can be stopped early rather than go on for years. Not that taking children and putting them into the system is any better (another reason this type of book is important, the system needs constant watching and cleaning out as it tends to harbor predators both sexual and monetary ones) but at least there is a chance to do something to help if someone can actually notice there is a serious issue going on. This was a great read and I recommend it and The Hospital.
December 15, 2024
I listened to The Asylum on audio.
The Asylum is a horrific novel about Carol Mackie, her life of abuse, and how she survived it all.
- Carol was a Scottish girl who was born into a life of poverty.
- She had a father who was hardly home, and a mom who was addicted to bingo and chose to not raise her children. Instead, Carol had to raise her 9 brothers and sisters by herself.
- As she grew older, her brother Ian began to sexually assault her, and this abuse lasted 4 years.
- After she tried running away a few times, the social services put her in Aston Hall, where her abuse continued. It was a psychiatric hospital where the doctor would experiment on the young girls through truth medication, put them to sleep, and rape or sexually abuse them.
- After being there for around 4-5 years, Carol was moved to a kind of hostel as the step before independence.
- After leaving there, she began working, where she met a married man (she didn't know he was married), slept with him, got pregnant with his daughter, Jasmine, and had her taken away because her mom and social services didn't see her fit to raise a child.
- She later fell in love with a man called Sunny, and had a little boy with him.
Her life story continues as she meets her long lost daughter, shares the way her history of abuse affected her life, her attempt to reconcile her relationship with her parents that never really worked, and many other aspects of life. It was an interesting story of survival. It is crazy to me that human beings can survive experiences such has Carol has suffered through.
From a sociological, psychological perspective, I enjoyed understanding how one thing led to another, how she dealt with all her hardships and abuse (especially at the time - early 1900's). Aston Hall sounded familiar to me, but I was happy to gain more insight into the story as I really didn't know as much as I do now.
I decided to give the story 4 stars and not 5 because, maybe it was the audiobook narrator, but she read the book a little disconnectedly. What I mean to say is even though it is supposedly a super emotional book, and it should be a difficult read, it was either written, or read, or both, in a way that was more factual and matter of fact than I would've enjoyed. This made me disconnect myself from the book and not feel as much empathy or sympathy as I could and would've liked to. It just came off a little more cold than I would've wanted.
The Asylum is a horrific novel about Carol Mackie, her life of abuse, and how she survived it all.
- Carol was a Scottish girl who was born into a life of poverty.
- She had a father who was hardly home, and a mom who was addicted to bingo and chose to not raise her children. Instead, Carol had to raise her 9 brothers and sisters by herself.
- As she grew older, her brother Ian began to sexually assault her, and this abuse lasted 4 years.
- After she tried running away a few times, the social services put her in Aston Hall, where her abuse continued. It was a psychiatric hospital where the doctor would experiment on the young girls through truth medication, put them to sleep, and rape or sexually abuse them.
- After being there for around 4-5 years, Carol was moved to a kind of hostel as the step before independence.
- After leaving there, she began working, where she met a married man (she didn't know he was married), slept with him, got pregnant with his daughter, Jasmine, and had her taken away because her mom and social services didn't see her fit to raise a child.
- She later fell in love with a man called Sunny, and had a little boy with him.
Her life story continues as she meets her long lost daughter, shares the way her history of abuse affected her life, her attempt to reconcile her relationship with her parents that never really worked, and many other aspects of life. It was an interesting story of survival. It is crazy to me that human beings can survive experiences such has Carol has suffered through.
From a sociological, psychological perspective, I enjoyed understanding how one thing led to another, how she dealt with all her hardships and abuse (especially at the time - early 1900's). Aston Hall sounded familiar to me, but I was happy to gain more insight into the story as I really didn't know as much as I do now.
I decided to give the story 4 stars and not 5 because, maybe it was the audiobook narrator, but she read the book a little disconnectedly. What I mean to say is even though it is supposedly a super emotional book, and it should be a difficult read, it was either written, or read, or both, in a way that was more factual and matter of fact than I would've enjoyed. This made me disconnect myself from the book and not feel as much empathy or sympathy as I could and would've liked to. It just came off a little more cold than I would've wanted.
August 1, 2021
So important that this amazing, resilient lady’s story has been published. Interesting that when the facts were originally collated and files retrieved, the investigating officers/police ‘warned’ Carol that it made for harrowing reading. She knows. She was there! A victim. She knows how terrifying and evil it was, she experienced it. She also, however understandably experienced a degree of euphoria at telling her story. Incredible woman and I have nothing but praise for her - for who she is and who she has chosen to be - persisting with getting this out and not letting it define her. I read this in 1 day (stayed up v late last night).
I believe, also, that very many of the nurses at Aston Hall were every bit as complicit as Milner - they all (those who were actively involved, ie restraining etc) would have unquestionably known that it was entirely wrong. The era doesn’t alter that fact. Their governing body (at that time called the GNC) existed and they would certainly have known right from wrong; knowing acceptable practice from malpractice. I read that Matt Hancock last year made a statement claiming ‘the relevant bodies had worked to identify the individuals involved …… ‘. I hope they’re taken to task, I really do. Being fearful of Milner is not an excuse, I can’t fathom it.
All in all I’m glad I’ve read this lovely strong humorous lady’s account, despite no sleep last night :)
I believe, also, that very many of the nurses at Aston Hall were every bit as complicit as Milner - they all (those who were actively involved, ie restraining etc) would have unquestionably known that it was entirely wrong. The era doesn’t alter that fact. Their governing body (at that time called the GNC) existed and they would certainly have known right from wrong; knowing acceptable practice from malpractice. I read that Matt Hancock last year made a statement claiming ‘the relevant bodies had worked to identify the individuals involved …… ‘. I hope they’re taken to task, I really do. Being fearful of Milner is not an excuse, I can’t fathom it.
All in all I’m glad I’ve read this lovely strong humorous lady’s account, despite no sleep last night :)
January 23, 2025
The true story of suffering and resilience of one girl (and now a old lady). I have no words to put in my full impression. I just wish to hug this little girl and later young woman.
I hope now as old lady she will read the comments and I just wanted to say I am glad that you've manged all this and found your late husband and strength inside of you to find better life. I am happy for you that you are now blessed with your son and grandchildren.
After neglect and sexual (and other kinds of) abuse in her own family, as teenager she was put in Aston Hall mental institution where there were done cruel procedures on young helpless patients which are not at all acceptable by today's standards, including drugging and sexual abuse on top of all. This lady was first patient who moved avalanche of events who led to investigation and finding the truth of this hospital.
It is unimaginable horror that she suffered from the first trials to find help against her brother's sexual abuse. Her own mother and than social worker discarded her, not even trying to confront her monstrous brother and examine the situation. She was made insane and put in hospital where she experienced further abuse and loneliness. God provision and her own resilience finally put her on the right track and she experienced the kind of justice, but it is small satisfaction after all traumas that indeed left damage and trace on her.
I hope now as old lady she will read the comments and I just wanted to say I am glad that you've manged all this and found your late husband and strength inside of you to find better life. I am happy for you that you are now blessed with your son and grandchildren.
After neglect and sexual (and other kinds of) abuse in her own family, as teenager she was put in Aston Hall mental institution where there were done cruel procedures on young helpless patients which are not at all acceptable by today's standards, including drugging and sexual abuse on top of all. This lady was first patient who moved avalanche of events who led to investigation and finding the truth of this hospital.
It is unimaginable horror that she suffered from the first trials to find help against her brother's sexual abuse. Her own mother and than social worker discarded her, not even trying to confront her monstrous brother and examine the situation. She was made insane and put in hospital where she experienced further abuse and loneliness. God provision and her own resilience finally put her on the right track and she experienced the kind of justice, but it is small satisfaction after all traumas that indeed left damage and trace on her.
January 10, 2024
Heartbreaking, but phenomenal
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It came across my feed one day, and if I have to be honest, the cover didn't really do it for me. However, I was on the hunt for a memoir that dealt with childhood trauma and institutions, so I took a chance on this. I must say, the story was compelling, and the writing did not disappoint. I was thoroughly engaged with Carol's story, and was deeply affected by the abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother, and family. Her story is one of resilience and bravery, and I'm glad she was able to get some justice for what she was forced to endure, even if it came decades later.
The story begins with Carol having to look after her siblings while her mother is off gambling at bingo. Her brother is a psychopath and sexually assaults her for years. No one believes Carol and she runs away, only to be labeled a difficult teen. She is institutionalized, where abuse runs rampant. The people Carol wants to trust to help her are some of the worst offenders. Throughout the book, you have to admire her courage. She is eventually released, and goes on to find happiness. The perpetrators are held accountable, but it's a hard win for Carol, as she must be the one to stand up and fight for justice when everyone else wants to keep things a secret.
I highly recommend this book.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It came across my feed one day, and if I have to be honest, the cover didn't really do it for me. However, I was on the hunt for a memoir that dealt with childhood trauma and institutions, so I took a chance on this. I must say, the story was compelling, and the writing did not disappoint. I was thoroughly engaged with Carol's story, and was deeply affected by the abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother, and family. Her story is one of resilience and bravery, and I'm glad she was able to get some justice for what she was forced to endure, even if it came decades later.
The story begins with Carol having to look after her siblings while her mother is off gambling at bingo. Her brother is a psychopath and sexually assaults her for years. No one believes Carol and she runs away, only to be labeled a difficult teen. She is institutionalized, where abuse runs rampant. The people Carol wants to trust to help her are some of the worst offenders. Throughout the book, you have to admire her courage. She is eventually released, and goes on to find happiness. The perpetrators are held accountable, but it's a hard win for Carol, as she must be the one to stand up and fight for justice when everyone else wants to keep things a secret.
I highly recommend this book.
October 4, 2024
Such a truly heartbreaking book outlining the horrors that one young girl went through via abuse, assault and neglect only to be abused further by the organisations and institutions which were supposed to protect her.
This book truly gives you insite into the horror of Aston hall and the abuse that the patients were forced to endure whilst under the care of nurses and doctors who used their positions of power to control, co-erse and abuse the individuals in their care. This book highlights the effects of institutionalisation on individuals and tells the emotional story of a girl who seems to have everything stacked against her and still manages to come out of the otherside-bruised and damaged but using it as fuel to help others.
It highlights the power of strength and willpower for survival and although carol could have given up, she chose to use her abuse to push her to fight further for justice. What an incredibly brave women for sharing her story, I'm certain her story has gone on to help many other abuse survivers. I pray that we use experiences like hers to never let similar happen within institutions of care ever again.
This book truly gives you insite into the horror of Aston hall and the abuse that the patients were forced to endure whilst under the care of nurses and doctors who used their positions of power to control, co-erse and abuse the individuals in their care. This book highlights the effects of institutionalisation on individuals and tells the emotional story of a girl who seems to have everything stacked against her and still manages to come out of the otherside-bruised and damaged but using it as fuel to help others.
It highlights the power of strength and willpower for survival and although carol could have given up, she chose to use her abuse to push her to fight further for justice. What an incredibly brave women for sharing her story, I'm certain her story has gone on to help many other abuse survivers. I pray that we use experiences like hers to never let similar happen within institutions of care ever again.
October 25, 2024
This was a harrowing and deeply moving memoir. Minto bravely recounted her experiences as a child, starting with her tumultuous home life. Before being placed in the psychiatric institution, she faced neglect and abuse at home, which made her early years fraught with pain and insecurity. This troubling background set the stage for the immense challenges she would face later. Her account of life in the asylum was both heartbreaking and inspiring, as she shed light on the inhumane conditions and relentless abuse she endured. Despite the unimaginable adversity, Minto’s resilience and strength shone through. Her writing was compelling and evocative, making it impossible to put the book down. She managed to convey a sense of hope and survival even amidst the darkest moments, turning her trauma into a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome. This book was a courageous and essential read, shedding light on a hidden chapter of history and giving voice to those who suffered in silence.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
November 22, 2023
'One morning as we tidied up after breakfast, Sister Clackton came into the the dining room and shouted "Form an orderly line upstairs. You will be seen, one by one in the treatment room." A deathly hush descended on the room like someone had thrown a fire blanket over us.'
Carol Mackie's life fills the pages of this book and it is a harrowing read. My heart bled for the little girl she was and even for the teenager she became as she tried to navigate through life starved of love and affection. The only family she ever known was the girls she made connections with in an Asylum due to the abuse they endured at the hands of someone who was appointed to care for them all.
Although Mackie's ordeal started way before she was thrown into an Asylum she had already been through more than an adult would have had to deal with in three life times. This is a story of a resilient, brave, empowering little lady who became a woman and a force to be reckoned with.
This scarred my heart it really did. And I only gave it three stars because I don't think I could read it again.
Carol Mackie's life fills the pages of this book and it is a harrowing read. My heart bled for the little girl she was and even for the teenager she became as she tried to navigate through life starved of love and affection. The only family she ever known was the girls she made connections with in an Asylum due to the abuse they endured at the hands of someone who was appointed to care for them all.
Although Mackie's ordeal started way before she was thrown into an Asylum she had already been through more than an adult would have had to deal with in three life times. This is a story of a resilient, brave, empowering little lady who became a woman and a force to be reckoned with.
This scarred my heart it really did. And I only gave it three stars because I don't think I could read it again.
January 22, 2024
A really harrowing and disturbing account of a young girl abused by her older brother and then sent to a remand centre and on to Aston Hall near Derby. Nobody believed that she had been terribly abused. Not her Mum, social workers or Aston Hall.
Things got much, much worse at Aston Hall which was supposed to be a hospital for people with mental health issues. She was labelled “a sexual deviant” by social workers and this followed her to Aston Hall.
After years of being drugged and sexually abused by the Physician Superintendent, Dr Milner, never allowed outside in the fresh air and forgotten by her family her only support was her friends there.
It is a well written story and she finally reported both her vile brother and Dr Milner. Other people came forward and they finally received a small amount of compensation. Milner had died but it was recognised that none of this should have happened and she received an apology from the Health Secretary.
Things got much, much worse at Aston Hall which was supposed to be a hospital for people with mental health issues. She was labelled “a sexual deviant” by social workers and this followed her to Aston Hall.
After years of being drugged and sexually abused by the Physician Superintendent, Dr Milner, never allowed outside in the fresh air and forgotten by her family her only support was her friends there.
It is a well written story and she finally reported both her vile brother and Dr Milner. Other people came forward and they finally received a small amount of compensation. Milner had died but it was recognised that none of this should have happened and she received an apology from the Health Secretary.
May 22, 2024
this is such a brilliantly written personal story. i picked this book up at a charity shop and was faced with utter heartbreak but also empathy towards minto, who experienced these horrific events in her real life. the things that happened to her are honestly unacceptable and i feel for anyone who has ever suffered anything similar or close to those events; she deserved so much better. i am grateful however that i was able to read this story and it really made me sit back and think about certain things and how i can always be doing more to help. the book hit me really hard and i actually write about it in my university applications and about how poorly women are treated and how sexual assault is something that needs so much more care from governments than it has.
i don’t think i’ll ever read a book which compares to this one.
i don’t think i’ll ever read a book which compares to this one.
July 2, 2025
A Powerful and Heartbreaking Memoir
Carol Minto’s The Asylum is a tragic but courageous account of a childhood marked by horror and injustice. Her early joy, her granny and the sound of the Scottish bagpipes makes the abuse she suffered even more devastating.
What she endured as a child is unimaginable, yet what shines through is her strength, resilience, and the brave woman she became.
This book is not an easy read, but it is an essential one. It speaks not only to the deep injustices committed against vulnerable children but also to the unbreakable spirit of a woman who refused to be silenced.
I admire Carol Minto deeply for her honesty, her bravery, and her refusal to be defined by what was done to her. May her story bring light to the darkness, and may it inspire change and compassion in all who read it.
Carol Minto’s The Asylum is a tragic but courageous account of a childhood marked by horror and injustice. Her early joy, her granny and the sound of the Scottish bagpipes makes the abuse she suffered even more devastating.
What she endured as a child is unimaginable, yet what shines through is her strength, resilience, and the brave woman she became.
This book is not an easy read, but it is an essential one. It speaks not only to the deep injustices committed against vulnerable children but also to the unbreakable spirit of a woman who refused to be silenced.
I admire Carol Minto deeply for her honesty, her bravery, and her refusal to be defined by what was done to her. May her story bring light to the darkness, and may it inspire change and compassion in all who read it.
March 31, 2025
A harrowing and difficult read, containing themes of domestic, mental, medical, and sexual abuse.
What an utterly terrible childhood this poor woman had to endure! Not one to read if you're squeamish. I think the most upsetting to read, even more than the abuse itself, was the number of times Carol tried to speak out and tell people about what was going on.
It is frankly amazing that she managed to go on to live a relatively happy life with good relationships, let alone to continue to report the abuse later in life, and the first patient of Aston Hall to report the abuse to generate a full inquiry. An inspirational woman whose brave actions undoubtedly helped numerous other women get validation and compensation for their shared experiences.
What an utterly terrible childhood this poor woman had to endure! Not one to read if you're squeamish. I think the most upsetting to read, even more than the abuse itself, was the number of times Carol tried to speak out and tell people about what was going on.
It is frankly amazing that she managed to go on to live a relatively happy life with good relationships, let alone to continue to report the abuse later in life, and the first patient of Aston Hall to report the abuse to generate a full inquiry. An inspirational woman whose brave actions undoubtedly helped numerous other women get validation and compensation for their shared experiences.
November 25, 2025
Wow.
Carol Minto the real life survivor of her family and Aston Hall. She is an inspiration for everyone to keep fighting and to never let anything defeat you. Her story is horrific and almost unimaginable. The sympathy and sadness I felt reading this knowing this poor, at the time, child went through such disgusting and torturous things was through the roof. This story puts into perspective on how we as outsiders will never understand what happens behind closed doors.
Her story is tragic and upsetting, but her main message through this all is that she is a survivor and she encourages everyone else to be as resilient and indestructible as she was. Everyone should hear her story. Please read.
Carol Minto the real life survivor of her family and Aston Hall. She is an inspiration for everyone to keep fighting and to never let anything defeat you. Her story is horrific and almost unimaginable. The sympathy and sadness I felt reading this knowing this poor, at the time, child went through such disgusting and torturous things was through the roof. This story puts into perspective on how we as outsiders will never understand what happens behind closed doors.
Her story is tragic and upsetting, but her main message through this all is that she is a survivor and she encourages everyone else to be as resilient and indestructible as she was. Everyone should hear her story. Please read.
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