Charles’s answer to “What made you want to write about foster children?” > Likes and Comments

Im speaking of our book "Little Monster's. If you are in a home other than your own even if its a relative you are fostered. Here is my reviewl As a former foster child, I'm speechless for this author had me pegged from the start. How could he know those things that I went through as a man first of all, and as someone, I don't know? How I could not ask for basic necessities for being ashamed, afraid, alone. For feeling different and not belonging where I was and not being wanted. For feeling grateful for every scrap of affection or attention good or bad that I mistakenly received.

And how could the author know that as we grow older us former Foster's that we want so bad to rescue and save children that may have just a glimmer, or reflection, or representation in them that might have been in us as lost children. As if we could save our own selves as children if we could only save them. We are determined as Carol and Joseph to save that glimmer we see we desperately cling to the saving. Even if they don't want to be saved. It reminds me of a quote I related to at a young age by Carl Jung.

As a child, I felt myself to be alone, and I am still because I know of things and must hint of things which others know nothing of and for the most part do not want to know. You never really recover but you do become a survivor. Thank you. I loved this book.

ps. I didn't mean to say OUR book LOL. I guess in a way its all our story. sorry for error.

In that case, I misunderstood your question, but I'm thrilled and, to be honest, awed that you should have found Little Monsters so close to your own lived experience. The first sentence of the book came to me in a dream and I only discovered as I was writing that Carol was a girl, if that makes sense. But I want to thank you for letting me know how much the book has meant to you, because a response like yours makes everything worthwhile. I should say that I wasn't personally adopted or fostered, but I found it easy to understand Carol and her journey. Feeling alone takes many forms, and so many of us are survivors, in one way or another.

PS I'd be very interested to hear what you think of The Children's Home, if you ever read it. It's a very different book, but Morgan, like Carol, is driven by a sense of loneliness to want to rescue someone else and, once again, the rescued are children.

I will read The Children's Home next. I also was in a Children's home so it sounds very interesting and I will get back to you. Thank You. If ever a book spoke to me Little Monster's did.