Not a Proper Child cover art

Not a Proper Child

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Not a Proper Child

By: Elizabeth Sheppard, Nicky Nicholls
Narrated by: Julia Franklin
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.99

Buy Now for $25.99

About this listen

The dark true story about the exceptional Nicky Nicholls and her struggle to survive a bleak and abusive young life.

Left as a newborn in a box outside Stoke City Football ground, her grandparents took her into their home. But instead of finding a sanctuary, Nicky was subjected to horrific sexual abuse throughout her childhood.

In 1951, when Nicky was six years old, her glamorous-looking estranged mother arrived on the doorstep to 'rescue' her. But Nicky's hopes of a safe and loving family were very soon smashed, and her world became darker still.

Now an internationally renowned London artist, hers is a compelling story, carried along by her rare spirit of survival against the odds. This audiobook details an extraordinary woman's rise from the horror of a deeply damaging childhood to a new, creative and independent life. Her story is one of hope, for herself and for other abused children.

©2018 Nicky Nicholls and Elizabeth Sheppard (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Abuse Addiction & Recovery Alcoholism Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Parenting & Families Relationships Survival Substance abuse
All stars
Most relevant
What Nicky went through as a girl was very disturbing to say the least. Hearing what happened to Dog made me very teary. My heart went out to Nicky. I hope now Nicky is having the good life now that she had always deserved. I hope she has since owned dogs and has given them her love and care as there are so many needy dogs in the world and I have no doubt Nicky would be a great owner! I think Dog would want that. It is a good story and was well written, but very hard to listen to in some parts. The narrator was so over dramatic that she made this true story sound like a fiction at times, however I tried not to let the narrator destroy the story. I think it would had been much better if Nicky had read it herself, but I understand that would be too difficult for her to do as her story is very traumatic. I send Nicky lots of strength and I hope she continues to find some healing.

Was difficult to listen to in parts

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This story was heartbreaking and at times difficult to listen to, but so well written and narrated. Nicky, thankyou for sharing your story. It's hard to understand why people are so cruel sometimes, but thank God He brought the right people into your life to help you heal from the trauma of your past. Incredible story of hope.

Heartbreaking and Beautiful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.