Out of the Darkness

The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson

By: Eric A. Shelman

Narrated by: Deb Thomas

In New York City, in April of 1874, a most unusual event took place. A severely abused nine-year-old girl named Mary Ellen Wilson became the first child in America to be rescued from an abusive home. She had been beaten, burned, slashed with scissors, locked in a closet, and had never been outside of her tenement home in over 7 years. Thanks to the concern and dedication of a missionary named Etta Wheeler, the child was finally saved from her cruel captors. Henry Bergh's ASPCA - yes, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - was instrumental in securing her rescue. When no other agencies would become involved, the ASPCA used its power and influence to not only save Mary Ellen, but to charter the first organization of its kind to prevent cruelty to children, the NYSPCC - the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. This book remains the only book that tells the dramatic story of Mary Ellen's life and rescue.

©Print Version: 1999 Audiobook: 2014 Dolphin Moon Publishing (P)2014 Dolphin Moon Publishing

So disturbing

I find it so hard to believe anyone would mistreat a child. Poor defenseless innocence stolen!

Loved this book!

Not realizing I was reading a book about how two organizations I am very fond of and support, how they were started! The timeline of the story amazed me! How one organization started another!
If you like historically true stories, this may be the book for you! I believe it is worth the read or listen!

Hope for mankind

Incredibly written and wonderfully performed. A truly in depth view into how some children and animals were treated in the early days of American history. This book brought me to tears more than once. Thank you for this Mr. Shelman.

historical fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes it was easy to listen to and kept my attention

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was very easy to listen to. Some audio books can distract from the story.

Humanity at it's worst and best.

If you could sum up Out of the Darkness in three words, what would they be?

Interesting - History - overcoming

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Many of her voices...I was not really happy with...too much...over acting...southern voices in New York...was out of place to me. Her narrating did not stop me from listening & enjoying the book...but some character voices became irritating to me.

Any additional comments?

This was a book that I did want to listen to all in one sitting...but it took two sittings. The writer had a lot of history..which some say dragged on, but I didn't feel that way. I enjoyed all of the book.

how this little girl was so innocent to even not holding a grudge to the person's that abused her

it got me almost in tears 😢 . really love the book. and like the there was and update

Good narration

She did all different voices, which I enjoyed. I wish more time was spent on the story of Mary Ellen a bit more, but it was, overall, a good book!

great review for my 1st audible

This was my first audible book ever, and I found I could not put it down.

So sad yet so beautiful

Very sad but also beautiful. Mary Ellen's resilience is amazing. What a strong little girl.

Great one

Even though I didn’t care at all for the narrator changing voices, I couldn’t stop listening. I recommend this one