A Very Private School

A Memoir

By: Charles Spencer

Narrated by: Charles Spencer

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

“A tour de force.” —The Washington Post

In this poignant memoir, Charles Spencer recounts the trauma of being sent away from home at age eight to attend boarding school.

A Very Private School offers a clear-eyed, first-hand account of a culture of cruelty at the school Charles Spencer attended in his youth and provides important insights into an antiquated boarding system. Drawing on the memories of many of his schoolboy contemporaries, as well as his own letters and diaries from the time, he reflects on the hopelessness and abandonment he felt at aged eight, viscerally describing the intense pain of homesickness and the appalling inescapability of it all. Exploring the long-lasting impact of his experiences, Spencer presents a candid reckoning with his past and a reclamation of his childhood.

©2024 Charles Spencer (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Excellent!

Author did such a great job describing his feelings, the physical setting of boarding school, and each one of the characters that were a part of that time in his life. These stories can never be told to often, people need to understand trauma and abuse. Thank you Sir for sharing your story.

A very compelling story

Prior to reading this memoir, my only impressions of Princess Diana's brother were that he was once nicknamed "Champagne Charlie" for his partying ways, and he later gave that unforgettable eulogy which still gives me goosebumps to this day. Things are not always as they seem, and sadly that is the story of his life. It's heartbreaking to think of what this one lost little privileged boy experienced at boarding school, far from the protective eyes of his parents. How brave of him to come forward and shine a light on the crimes experienced by him and others at the Maidwell boarding school. In that sense, this is an uplifting story of empowerment and survival.

Honest

In this memoir Charles gives an incredibly brave and forthright honest account of the cruel betrayal he endured from the adults around him - first from his parents and then the boarding school staff. On every page I could feel the hurt he suffered and has had to sustain. Not all aristocrats live the fairy tale life we imagine. Thank you Charles for writing your story. Hopefully this leads to helping others cope and your healing - as they say the truth will set you free.

A most excellent story and performance

Spencer writes beautifully. This book is a perfect example of “show don’t tell” as writers say to do. The story is compelling and heartbreaking. He’s brave to risk inciting wrath and I love him for that. I recommend this and admit I especially loved him reading it as I listened in Audible. His voice made it all the more gripping. Top marks

Harrowing Story, Beautifully Told

Spencer tells the harrowing story of his boarding school years in such beautiful prose. He is a wonderful writer.

But the subject matter is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. I could scarcely believe the unchecked horrors that were perpetrated against these young boys for years.

I have true admiration for the courage it took Spencer to write this memoir. It is a tough read, but well worth it.

Straight forward rational analysis of a systematic crime situation in an English boarding school

The nativity of these young boys were so easy to be taken advantage of. They emerged so different in ways the family could not imagine. The secretiveness of the school and the full reign parent gave to those unworthy guardians. At first I didn’t think I could bear the incidents but Lord Spencer has given an adult perspective back to his readers that helped me understand how they remained secretive and the ways to overcome. Although the content is hard to get through- it was a subject well addressed and the strength it took to overcome the feelings that remained.

Brave, compelling, compassionate

This has helped me broaden my perspective about British boarding schools and have more compassion for those who have suffered.

Beautifully written.

I loved his insight. I went to an English " public" school so
It was of particular interest to me.

Sad and haunting

I was excited to see another book by Charles Spencer as I had read several of his other books and enjoyed his narrative and thorough research into a subject. I listened to this book over a two- day period while doing chores around my house and at times had to stop and catch myself due to the emotion I felt hearing his almost matter-of-fact telling of his and other boys' abuse. This story is shocking, but shouldn't be as we know this sort of thing has gone on for years. My best to Mr. Spencer for his bravery and for relaying it so honestly.

Vulnerable and well-written.

Charles Spencer wrote a beautiful memoir about a dark period in his childhood at boarding school. Well-written and compelling, I finished it within days, unable to stop listening. His narration was excellent, and I would recommend it!