Runaway

by Skye Sinclair

Skye's story is one of survival against the odds. Abandoned by her mother at the age of four and placed in a series of horrible institutions, she learned to fend for herself from an early age. After a horrific rape when she was ten, she ran from the care home and went to live with the gypsies in the New Forest. She always yearned for freedom and was fearless and impulsive. Her curiosity took her all over the world—from the abattoirs of France at the age of 15 to the dizzy heights of the Paris fashion world, on to the underbelly of Amsterdam where she became a diamond smuggler at the age of 17 and then to the film studios of Hollywood where she worked as a stunt woman on films like Blues Brothers. Her life took a very different turn when she moved to the island of Phuket in Thailand, adopted four children from different backgrounds, and started to sponsor another three. With a group of friends she helped set up an orphanage for street children in neighboring Cambodia who were eking out a miserable existence on one of the municipal rubbish dumps in Pnom Phen. At the age of 45 her life revolves around children, both her own four and the Cambodians she has pledged to help. The runaway street child has finally found a reason to stop running.

Genres: Nonfiction

308 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2008

Reviews

[Katrina]

I found the book too far fetched and inaccurate. At the start, when the author's parents decided to tie the knot, the year being around 1959, the headline of the local paper was 'Nice one Cyril' Cyril was the name of the author's father and he was a professional football player. The song 'Nice one Cyril' was not penned until the 70's by Harold Spiro and from then it became a well known expression.She talked about going to the Wimpey Bar - should this not be Wimpy a burger bar and not a housebuilder? Or maybe I misread it and it was a builder's canteen. I felt overall, the story was a bit to hard to believe and although I rarely read fiction, the pace was the same as 'The Da Vinci Code'.

[Rimah Khouni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this book not long ago. I am actually not a bookworm, I don't read books. But getting the habit to do so and this is the start and here is my review so far about the book.

As stated before, I haven't really got right into the book. I'm at page 25 and so far, it's really good! I feel like I'm in the book, I'm getting feelings out of it but what quite puts me off is how cruel the mother is treating her children and how upset is the girl. This book is a must read!

Will update when I get deeper into the book!

UPDATE: (16/3/17)

Changed to 5 stars, I'm loving this book! But feel so sorry for the author. She has been through a lot but she is a strong women! This book is a must read, I'm kinda in the middle of the book now and still finding this book to be more thrilling to read. Her spirit and kindness to the animals and nature is touching, I am like her by that...

Note: I don't know if this is a computer print error but I keep coming across 'had' twice in serval pages but no biggy!

UPDATE: (26/3/17)

I have finally finished the book, my review is still the same as before but the last few pages before ending the book was very touching. I hope the author very well in coming futures.
I might re-read this book again? Who knows.

[Lhavanya Dl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rollicking adventure of an autobiography. It's really interesting to read about how this young girl goes on to have so many unconventional adventures after running away from home.

Everything from stealing cars with gypsies to becoming a stunt-woman at hollywood to becoming a diamond smuggler. There were rather touching and heartbreaking moments in the book esp when she narrates incidents of rape.

Fairly well-written. Author does have a tendency to be slightly too self-pitying but then again i suppose she does have that right. On the whole, definitely a must read book esp if you like books about strong-willed female protagonists.

[LEILA JOHNSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really an inspiring and well written book. The main character is really willful and strong even though she has endured so much. Coming from a abusive family with a step-dad and mum who does not love her, she found love in the animals and she even became a good person when she is grown up. Often, individuals that come from abusive families would turn out to be a broken soul, but the protagonist emerged stronger from the abuse inflicted on her repeatedly throughout her life.

I really enjoyed reading this book, although there were some disturbing moments I could not imagine. The author is really brave to share of her broken past, and I really admire her for that.

[Emanon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a ten years old, not knowing that it included some dark elements.
.. a ten year old should not read this.
nonetheless, this was a wonderful book. It really did felt as if I was beside the author, going through and watching her life from the sidelines. I was also glad that it ended on a lighter note.
She was a brave young warrior.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book made me really think that no matter how bad I think my life is, I'm such a lucky person. Reading about this girls miserable life experiences actually made me feel better about my own life.

It is a well written book, it's just very dark I felt.

[Bryan Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you Skye, your life story as shared with us in the jungle was the most intense I have ever heard in person, and really changed how I view many things. thank you for being a source of inspiration and strength to those you share your story with

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really emotional.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book that makes you feel like you're inside

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a real surprise, I expected a terrible tale of childhood abuse but instead got an amazing story of one person's life. It was a very tough life but full of incredible adventures.