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A Very Private School

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A Very Private School

By: Charles Spencer
Narrated by: Charles Spencer
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About this listen

'Shocking and moving' Guardian

'Top marks for its searing frankness, framed in wistfully beautiful prose’ The Times

At eight years of age, Charles Spencer was sent away to one of England's most England's most exclusive boarding schools. Here he reveals the strange secrets of the school, and the culture of cruelty and abuse he experienced in his five years there as pupil.

Spencer reflects on the misery, hopelessness and abandonment he felt aged eight, viscerally describing the intense pain of homesickness and the vicious brutality of a boys' school in the 1970s. All these years later, Spencer's bafflement at the teachers' motivations to inflict such cruelty on young children in palpable. As is his fury that, even if somehow he had spoken up, he'd never have been believed.

Charles Spencer's book 'A Very Private School' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 11-03-2024.

©2024 Charles Spencer (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers Child Psychology Children's Studies Developmental Psychology Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Royalty Social Sciences
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I feel for those poor boys who had to endure the monstrosity of almost all those in power at that school. This book must have taken a lot of courage to write. Thank you for writing it.

An honest account

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Such a frank account of a dreadful boarding school life. It is hard to believe this went on in schools so comparatively recently. Brilliantly written and narrated but a harrowing listen to be honest. Could have cried several times for those poor boys. Well done Charles Spencer.

Extraordinary

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Well done Charles going against the English stiff upper lift way. I do hope this has been a cathartic experience for you.

Good to share

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Wow what an amazing account of tragedy in a bleak silent world full of no love, empathy or kindness. This book is brilliant because while we think these privileged people have wonderful lives they don’t. Earl Spencer’s vulnerability shines through his years of unimaginable pain of private schooling that broke boys psychologically and physically. Hopefully his is the last generation to experience this archaic system. Spencer I send you lots of teddy bears, hugs and much love.

Brilliant. Heartbreaking. Not to be missed.

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What appalls me as much as the warped treatment these children were subjected to, is the collective upper class mind set that enabled it and which the author has exposed so well.

Shocking.

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A sad insight into the boarding school culture and its effect on a generation of young boys. Highly recommended.

Insightful and tragic

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Almost brought me to tears. As a parent myself I’ve never understood sending children away to boarding school.

Shocking

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A beautifully written honest account of the beastly experiences of boarding school students in the 70’s. Loved listening to it by the author himself Charles Spencer.

Totally honest

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Very well written and read by author. Heartbreaking to read the life long traumatic effect Maidwell has had on so many young boys that attended there 50 years ago.

shocking, sad and tragic

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Charles Spencer narrates and has written an extraordinary story of his and others early schooldays. His thoughtfulness is commendable in regards to the experience of others but his own need to tell his story is hopefully going to inspire him to live a happier life. His family should be very proud of him.

Shocking and brave , a story of survival

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