The Orphanage cover art

The Orphanage

The True Story of an Abused Convent Upbringing

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The Orphanage

By: Frances Reilly
Narrated by: Emma Lowe
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About this listen

'Nobody wants you, so we have to put up with you. We'll soon knock the disobedience out of you...'

Frances Reilly and her sisters were abandoned by their mother outside Nazareth House Convent - a Belfast orphanage run by nuns. Little did they know the unimaginable cruelty they'd endure within its walls.

Frances suffered horrifically at the hands of the Sisters: brutally beaten, worked like a slave, abused and molested, the convent regime stripped her of everything - education, innocence and childhood. But the hope of rescue or escape never left her.

Years later, Frances would face her demons in court, bringing to account those who so viciously stole her youth.

The Orphanage is her gripping, heart-breaking and inspiring story - the story of a child's spirit of survival.©2010 Frances Reilly (P)2021 Seven Dials
Abuse Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Parenting & Families Relationships Survival
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I felt I could identify with the story as I had a convent upbringing
It felt vey true to life
Highly recommend

Reality

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loved it, couldn't put this down. inspired by Frances and her strength to carry on and fight the horrors of her childhood.
loved the narrator as well as she brought the journey to life for the reader.

Courageous and Inspiring.

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go to show how people that are beaten down are so scared that all hope is lost

injustice

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A very good read. Well narrated. As a runaway from children’s institutions myself I could well understand her story. Children do not run away from supportive and loving homes (that every child needs) where they are comfortable or content living. I can not help but to like that strong defiant young girl and to admire the strong lady that survived to write this book. I hope Frances gets the justice that she deserves. Her book will provide something that many can relate to and not feel alone in their struggles. I’m sure her book will also help many.

Well written

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I felt a surge of emotions listening to this story. what a sad and brave journey for these girls. I wanted to save them myself.

emotional roller-coaster

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I dearly hope that these institutions no longer exist. The pain, suffering and psychological trauma these children endured is mind-bending.

Revealing and heart wrenching

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Such a sad life that Frances led, but I’m so glad she came out the other end. I held my breath so many times. A must read! Glad you got them nuns in the end!!

So sad yet captivating

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