The Asylum

De: Ann Cusack - contributor, Carol Minto, Joe Cusack - contributor

Narrado por: Fiona McNeill

For 46 years, Carol Minto has quietly gone about her life, carrying with her the most extraordinary and heartbreaking secrets.

Born into poverty and with mostly absent parents, Carol helped to raise her nine siblings. But when she was just 11 years old, her older brother began to sexually abuse her. After four years, Carol managed to escape - and ran away from home.

Picked up by social services, they place her at Aston Hall in Derby, a psychiatric hospital now infamous for the ghoulish ‘truth serum’ experiments it carried out on children. Over three years, Carol was stripped, sedated, assaulted and raped by Kenneth Milner, the doctor in charge.

Eventually she is released back into the community, aged 18, and has a daughter. But the baby is taken away for adoption, and Carol’s trauma intensifies. In 2010, Carol finally plucked up the courage to speak out about the abuse she suffered - and received justice, at last.

In The Asylum, Carol tells the full story of how she overcame unimaginable suffering, to find the happiness and solace she has today as a mother and grandmother.

©2021 Ann Cusack (P)2021 W F Howes

excellent clear and very descriptive

i love that although she never forgot her love, she found a companion again and she never gave up she maintained a positive attitud

Insane story!

I can’t believe all the horrors this women endured, I’m so happy she is doing good today. What an amazing book

The many uninterested, uncaring people that should have protected her.

the story in all was captivating and visually written. I cried and rolled my eyes many times in anger for what she endured.

Very strong true story of extreme abuse, resilience and survival.

Natural narration, sharing true feelings in a candid way. Leaves you thinking g how can there be so much evil in this world.

Heartbreaking

An amazing strength of Carol. Hard to understand why her mother was so cruel and didn't like her.

Overcoming a life of abuse

I loved it and was an easy listen once I got used to the Irish/Scottish accent. The entire book held my interest as well.

appalling and sad

What these children endured is heartbreaking. everytime she would mention the year in the story, I would think about where I was in my life and feel bad for not knowing what horror was going on in the world. narrator was really difficult to understand, her accent is very thick. I had to slow the speed down until about chapter 5 and then I had gotten used to it. Hopefully the narrator won't put you off from listening. The story needs to be heard.

Moving, heartbreaking, powerful.

Such a powerful and moving account. Details one example of the great travesty of so many institutions of the past. Highlights in moving detail, the systemic failure of the programs designed to care for and protect our children. And sadly, all those along the way that failed to intervene. Beautifully written.

That there was no one to help.

It’s hard to say that I liked this book, but I did. My heart goes out to all the children that were left in such place.

My heart breaks for (and applauds) Carol

This is the most heart wrenching story of lifelong abuse I have ever heard. Obviously she told the truth about what she endured, for it would be unthinkable to make up details like this! It’s disgusting how no one, not even her immediate family gave her a chance.

I don’t understand how anyone can be so completely evil that they would prey on young, vulnerable children. It also makes me angry that this pedophile hid behind his “dr” status and got away with his demented behavior. And wtf were all the “nurses” thinking?!?!

It’s a bittersweet relief to hear that Carol was able to find true friendships and moments of decency throughout her years of oppression. And I applaud her resilience and bravery for FINALLY speaking up so that so many can heal.