The Forgotten Child
The powerful true story of a boy abandoned as a baby and left to die
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The Forgotten Child
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Narrated by:
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Mark Elstob
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By:
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Richard Gallear
About this listen
Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a heart-breaking memoir of an abandoned newborn baby left to die, his tempestuous upbringing, and how he came through the other side.
It’s a freezing winter’s night in 1954. A baby boy, a few hours old, is left by his mother, wrapped in nothing but two sheets of newspaper and hidden amongst the undergrowth by a canal bank. An hour later, a late-shift postman is walking wearily home when he hears a faint cry. He finds the newspaper parcel and discovers the newborn, white-cold and whimpering, inside.
After being rushed to hospital and against all odds, the baby survives. He’s baptised by the hospital chaplain as Richard.
Everything feels as though it’s looking up; Richard is put into local authority care and regains his health. However, after nearly five blissful years in a rural care home filled with loving friends, it soon unfolds that his turbulent start in life is only the beginning…
Based on a devastating true story, this inspirational memoir follows Richard’s traumatic birth, abusive childhood, and search for the truth.
©2019 Richard Gallear (P)2019 HarperCollins PublishersCritic reviews
"An incredible story of survival." (The Sun)
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What listeners say about The Forgotten Child
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 08-13-21
So Good
Heartbreaking yet inspiring. the narrator was absolutely amazing. Thank you Richard for sharing your story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Candace Fellers
- 05-27-20
Heart rendering story
What an amazing story of an abandon boy, life in an orphanage, adoption and finding his place in the world. Tears and heartache that produced a loving, kind man. A story not to be forgotten.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Teresa Hackett
- 08-10-21
excellent & captivating
there was suspense and intrigue.
hoe s child over came neglect, then abuse and still became a caring and successful man all primarily on his own.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- The Cobban’s
- 05-31-22
This was such an amazing story !
I loved this book , sad but also happy at small moments . The ending was fitting . I have a great appreciation for the author of this one ! It is a must listen !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brenden Smith
- 03-04-22
highly recommend
heart wrenching story but so honestly and told from such a tender perspective. such a tender heart
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BHawk
- 11-21-20
sad but engaging story
this book told by the boy who suffered at the hands of his abusive father was sad but engaging. I love a story that shows how strong the human spirit can be. We all have an inner strength that we may not realize unless circumstances force it forward. The story was one that made me want to go hug my own boy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Suzette Woolff
- 06-26-21
The Forgotten Child
Your life story is very touching, at times painful. Thank you for your courage to share it with the rest of the world. I wish you love and peace.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marie Taylor-Harper
- 10-15-23
Amazing life story
Such an amazing life story - I can’t mend you and the courage it took to share. You have given me the encouragement to write my own adoption story. Thank you and god bless.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Georgia
- 08-16-21
Listened every spare second I found!
This book was just excellent and is a true story. I chose it because the little boy was born the same year I was (1954). I'm so glad I decided to listen. It is about child abuse, so be prepared, It was hard to listen to as I have a grandson the exact same age as this little boy was when his abuse started. I find it so hard to believe that anyone can abuse a child just because. Amazingly the child does survive and gets out of the home so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The narration was exceptional.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kelley M.
- 05-10-23
WOW ......
What an amazing human being!!!! All he went through and mostly concerned about the feelings of his adopted mother.
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