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The Boy in the Cellar cover art

The Boy in the Cellar

By: Stephen Smith
Narrated by: Oliver J. Hembrough
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Publisher's Summary

Stephen Smith is the boy who did not exist. Born out of wedlock in the early 1960s, Steve's parents - both devout Catholics - had felt so 'shamed' by their son's illegitimate birth that they hid him away from the world by locking him in the cellar...for 13 years. Apart from a few admissions to hospital as a result of his 'imprisonment', Steve remained in the coal cellar of the family home where he was deprived of daylight, his childhood, school and human contact until he'd reached his teenage years.

Starved and beaten, the little boy's world was a darkened room that measured just 8 feet by 10 with a single makeshift bed, a bare light bulb and a solitary table. Steve would spend his days conjuring up an imaginary world full of monsters he would draw to try to block out the physical and mental torture inflicted on him by his brutal father. Locked away like an animal with a bucket to urinate and defecate in, the only human contact he received was from his father, who'd regularly beat him with a shovel and whip him with a belt.

Eventually, he escaped only to fall prey to the instigators of two of the worst cases of institutional abuse in the UK at Aston Hall hospital and St. William's Catholic School.

A horrifying true story of torture and cruelty that reveals a human's full capacity to fight for survival and search out happiness and hope.

©2019 Stephen Smith (P)2019 Bonnier Books UK

What listeners say about The Boy in the Cellar

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Heartbreaking

A tragic life story but what a revenge on hardship he has taken. His resiliency is phenomenal and inspiring.
All my respect Stephen Smith.

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Unbelievable

Gripping from the start… did not want to put the earplugs down…. A must listen to book.. loved the narrators voice… hard to imagine that someone can come from a place of hell and still be able to see good in the world!

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Such a sad story with a truly happy ending.

So well written and narrated... worth the read. You will not be able to stop listening.

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  • Ben
  • 24-03-2022

One of the most powerful reads of my life.

Read it. A story that needed to be told and needs to be heard by one seriously strong mofo.

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Fantastically sad and horrific

the horrific start to life that you had is terrifying. So good to hear you have found a happiness you deserve!!

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Shocking.

Loved it. My first book on Audible and it got me hooked.
Heartbreaking story and I couldn't stop listening. Highly recommended.

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unbelievable

strongly recommend.
couldn't stop listening.
sending love to Stephen
What courage and how humble
Excellent

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Such a brave boy ❤️

What an incredible story of sheer determination to live a life. This was a heart wrenching account by a truly amazing boy. To think strangers capable of such acts is horrifying but to have his family also take part was inconceivable. ❤️

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Uplifting!

Shocking, distressing but ultimately uplifting, as one man executes his own revenge against incredible cruelty. His revenge? To manage to rise above it all and find happiness and fulfilment.

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amazing story

loved it, such a sad journey through the life of a true survivor. Very powerful

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