Cut: The true story of an abandoned, abused little girl who was desperate to be part of a family

By: Cathy Glass

Narrated by: Denica Fairman

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

In her new book, the Sunday Times and New York Times best-selling author of Damaged tells the story of the Dawn, a sweet and seemingly well-balanced girl whose outward appearance masks a traumatic childhood of suffering at the hands of the very people who should have cared for her.

Dawn was the first girl Cathy Glass ever fostered. Sweet and seemingly well balanced girl, Dawn's outward appearance masked a traumatic childhood so awful, that even she could not remember it. During the first night, Cathy awoke to see Dawn looming above Cathy's baby's cot, her eyes staring and blank. She sleepwalks - which Cathy learns is often a manifestation in disturbed children. It becomes a regular and frightening occurrence, and Cathy is horrified to find Dawn lighting a match whilst mumbling it's not my fault in her sleep one night.

Cathy discovers Dawn is playing truant from school, and struggling to make friends. More worryingly she finds her room empty one night, and her pillow covered in blood. Dawn has been self-harming in order to release the pain of her past. When Dawn attempts suicide, Cathy realises that she needs more help than she can give. Dawn's mother eventually confides in her that Dawn was sent away to live with relatives in Ireland between the ages of 5 and 9, and Cathy soon realises that the horrors Dawn was exposed to during this time have left her a very disturbed little girl.

©2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

Reviews for Damaged:

"Cannot fail to move those who read it." (Adoption-net)
"Heartbreaking." (The MirrorThe Sun)
"A true tale of hope. ****." (OK!)
"Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass's book should change all that.****" (First Magazine)
"A hugely touching and emotional true tale." (Star Magazine)

Hmmmm

Riveting story. I feel like it must have been sanitized, somehow. The foster family seems too perfect, people are flawed. I feel like the author idealized herself and her role.

great book

good story, great narration. helped me understand a bit about self injury and child abuse.

My favourite audible book!

I loved this book and felt sorry for dawn. Why did she cut her wrists? Cathy seems so nice and I'm sure that she will still foster a lot of children. How lovely of dawn to call Cathy! Denica fairman is an amazing narrator and makes me feel like she is Cathy Glass. I hope that there would be more! ~Sunny

One of my favorites by Cathy Glass

I love all Cathy's books but this one is particularly interesting and sweet. I won't give anything away, but I learned a lot about self-harm and ways children blame themselves for traumas they experience and what can be the outcome of that. A very moving story.

Love this author !😀

I'm so glad I started my audio book subscription with Cathy Glass. awsome story's can't wait to start the next story.

Amazing Foster Parent

I read these books to help me as a foster parent. I only hope that I can be as good of a temporary mom as Cathy is. These books remind you how much the system needs to change.

Another happy ending

As always Cathy Glass writes with warmth and compassion about another child she fostered. The narration was superb as with all her other books. This little girl's homelife was so sad, but her inner strength was amazing. To survive the pain and rejection her family inflicted on her and still manage to have a gentle and positive outlook on life was truly awe-inspiring. For the author and her children to work so hard with Donna was remarkable. In spite of everything Donna has to cope with, she still manages to settle in well at the end. Amazing growth and achievement on her part.

Must Read!!

Cathy Glass is one of the best authors and she never disappoints This book just like all of her books is well written and hard to put down. Must read!

love her books

Loved it. I have a hard time pausing and cant wait to finish the book.

Sadly, this world is full of sick people

A sad, true story of the child care system. And an amazing woman that had more love to give, and help other children. Kathy Glass has a great ability to tell a story. I recommend any of her books.