Someone Has Led This Child to Believe

A Memoir

By: Regina Louise

Narrated by: Regina Louise

“Revealing and much needed.” (Booklist)

In this unflinching, unforgettable memoir, Regina Louise tells the true story of overcoming neglect in the US foster-care system. Drawing on her experience as one of society’s abandoned children, she tells how she emerged from the cruel, unjust system, not only to survive, but to flourish. After years of jumping from one fleeting, often abusive home to the next, Louise meets a counselor named Jeanne Kerr. For the first time in her young life, Louise knows what it means to be seen, wanted, understood, and loved. After Kerr tries unsuccessfully to adopt Louise, the two are ripped apart - seemingly forever - and Louise continues her passage through the cold cinder-block landscape of a broken system, enduring solitary confinement, overmedication, and the actions of adults who seem hell-bent on convincing her that she deserves nothing, that she is nothing.

But instead of losing her will to thrive, Louise remains determined to achieve her dream of a higher education. After she ages out of the system, Louise is thrown into adulthood and, haunted by her trauma, struggles to finish school, build a career, and develop relationships. As she puts it, it felt impossible “to understand how to be in the world”.

Eventually, Louise learns how to confront her past and reflect on her traumas. She starts writing, quite literally, a new future for herself, a new way to be. Louise weaves together raw, sometimes fragmented memories, excerpts from real documents from her case file, and elegant reflections to tell the story of her painful upbringing and what came after. The result is a rich, engrossing account of one abandoned girl’s efforts to find her place in the world, people to love, and people to love her back.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Regina Louise (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Inspiring

I saw the movie before I read the book. I am so happy that I have read the book. It went into more detail. I think this is a very inspiring book and a great read. 

Hard subject

Sad but true story. My heart goes out to all kids in our foster system. You are not unwanted or unloved.

Moving and beautiful

Even if memoirs or non-fiction are not your thing, it won’t matter with this book. So full of emotion and genuine feeling, and performed AMAZINGLY by the writer! I was impressed, horrified, angered, and overwhelmed all at once in the reading. Really worth the listen, or read!

💜great story. great narration...loved it

very relatable! had me stuck...loved it! I didn't want it to end. loved every word

Astonishing

I’ve witnessed the author move audiences well into the thousands with her passionate ask to all whom listen: “If nothing else, believe that no amount of love you give a child is ever wasted.” I’ve attended the table-read of her plays; read her books, seen the movie based—largely upon this memoir—and have met her in the flesh... and what a remarkable human she is.

Here to, in this audio version of her second memoir— I have made a connection as palpable as though I were standing eye-to-eye with her.

“Someone Has Led This Child to Believe”, isn’t just for those represented by their fostercare journey; but for anyone who has faced challenges and is interested in how to navigate a supposedly nothing existence into a profound possibility: this is the book for you.

Enjoyed the story, it was well written. Hated the narration.

I love true stories, and stories of overcoming hardship. This was a great book for insight to the foster system, and the basic need of every child to love and belong.

What I truly disliked was the narration. Every time the reader left and came back, it was very evident. The storyteller herself had a number of different accents as she narrated the story, and different volumes, as well. It kind of seemed schizophrenic...! I also have a difficult time believing that anyone she knew had some of the crazy accents and attitudes she performed... it just did not seem genuine, and often felt disrespectful of the people she was ‘imitating’.

I’d say definitely read this book - but skip the audiobook version. This is the first negative review I’ve given here, and I haven’t taken the time to give very many reviews at all. It just bothered me that much, I had to weigh in.

The capacity to keep going

I can’t believe this stunningly raw, beautifully told story doesn’t have 5x the reviews it does.

It took me a little while to get into the story, into Regina Louise’s storytelling cadence, but once I did I was rapt.

I found myself fascinated at her capacity to keep going despite so many people- adults- trying to pull her down. Where does that stamina come from while so many others spin their wheels?

I hadn’t heard of her other books before, but now I’m eager to catch up. Don’t miss this!

Loved this wish it was longer.......

Well written and compelling story of how mental health and neglect can really cause damage. Thank you for sharing Regina Louise.

Absolutely beautiful

This book was so incredibly written and powerful. Thank you Regina for so eloquently writing your truth. It shows your Grace and lovely spirit and gives hope to so many. It just shows how we never really know what angels really look like. You’re one of mine. Blessed… Randi

I never knew somebody went through this too wrote a book

I recommend this book to anybody who grew up abandoned, institutionalized, medicated, or neglected. And to anybody in a relationship with a person who was, especially women.Regina shares the things as an adult that helped her and made me realize that it’s okay if it comes later in life, and her voice is so honest. I really feel a love for her and I think she has helped me to unlock some love for my inner child. Thank you Regina Louise, so very much, for sharing this <3