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Cruel to Be Kind
- Saying No Can Save a Child's Life
- Narrated by: DeNica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Social Sciences
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Very hard to get into
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Damaged: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Forgotten Child
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So so touching
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When Cathy is told about Melody’s terrible childhood, she is sure she’s heard it all before. But it isn’t long before she feels there is more going on than she or the social services are aware of. Although Melody is angry at having to leave her mother, she also worries about her obsessively - far more than is usual. Amanda, Melody’s mother, is also angry and takes it out on Cathy at contact, which again is something Cathy has experienced before. When Amanda misses contact, it is assumed she has forgotten, but nothing could have been further from the truth.
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Bad Narration
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Run, Mummy, Run
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From the author of Sunday Times and New York Times best seller Damaged, the gripping story of a woman caught in a horrific cycle of abuse - and the desperate lengths she must go to in order to escape. When Aisha spots an ad for a 'personal introductory service for professionals' in the newspaper, she could never have guessed it would lead to such a perfect marriage. But you should be careful what you wish for.... Mark is sorry the first time he hits Aisha.
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gripping story
- By Mrs tingle on 12-05-17
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Saving Danny
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The fifteenth fostering memoir by Cathy Glass. Danny was petrified and clung to me in desperation as I carried him to my car. Trapped in his own dark world, he couldn't understand why his parents no longer loved or wanted him and were sending him away. While Danny's parents have everything they could wish for in material terms, they are unable to care for their only child. This is where Cathy comes in.
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Another great book
- By Mary Jackson on 27-10-16
Summary
Cruel to Be Kind is the true story of Max, age six. He is fostered by Cathy while his mother is in hospital with complications from type 2 diabetes.
Fostering Max gets off to a bad start when his mother, Caz, complains and threatens Cathy even before Max has moved in. Cathy and her family are shocked when they first meet Max. But his social worker isn't the only one in denial; his whole family are, too.
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What listeners say about Cruel to Be Kind
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- MissD
- 26-06-19
A bit boring compared to others.
Read about 7 Cathy Glass books now and this one is probably my least favourite. Not much of a story compared to the others I’ve read. Seems like it’s concentrated more on the stress foster carers and social workers are under, rather than a story surrounding a child. Fast forwarded an entire chapter because all it discussed was foster care vs social work. Wouldn’t recommend.
1 person found this helpful
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- anna abimbola
- 22-02-18
Heartwarming
This story was heartwarming and tragic the little boy growing up to be this grown man made me a cry
1 person found this helpful
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- Linda Keller
- 16-04-22
predictable
a sanitary view on fostering, focus on obesity over trauma? a fictional story poor reading for a real foster parent.
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- Jodie-Louise
- 10-03-22
Incredible read
Absolutely the most amazing woman I’ve ever heard of is you Cathy! You are amazing at what you do to make a change to someone’s life! Such a kind caring women!
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- Reeree
- 22-01-22
amazing story
hooked from the beginning didnt want to stop reading . tuff love is always the winner
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- Sally
- 13-07-21
apt for today's society
the story of Max is heart warming, sad, emotional, encouraging and moving. a story that in today's society of rampant childhood obesity is a good one to be told. the tragic consequences of generations passing on a legacy of obesity and hurting their children without fully accepting it and the fight others do to help and intervene. well done Cathy and we'll done Max, you are probably a professor somewhere considering you went to Cambridge and I hope you're living living life to the fullest, and been maybe able to teach your own children or niece's and nephews how to ride a bike 😉
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- Kayleigh lumsden
- 28-02-21
love xx
love all ur books and this is one of my favourites sad but lovely xx
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- Anonymous User
- 13-01-21
I enjoyed
I like the narrator, and the the story as the same as Cathy's other books, beautifully written. Not as horrifying as her other stories, this one is a lot more tame.
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- Miss A A Bowers
- 23-09-20
Sad but wonderful mem5our
Such a sad, but beautifully told memoir of Cathy's fostering experience with Max.
Was very different to many others of Cathy's memoirs, of which I have read or listened to. Max's story included a touching relationship that developed with his family, a desperately sad twist but a truly lovely ending. Max getting back in contact with Cathy & her family years later which was a lovely & very different touching ending. Would thoroughly recommend reading or listening via audible.
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- Mrs. D. Darby
- 27-05-20
loved it....
cathy glass is one of my favorite authors and despite the sadness in this story this is one of the most beautiful tales.
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- Kevster
- 15-06-18
simple interesting. honest.
The performance was fabulous. The story is interesting. it's a good read that will tug at your heart. very enlightening about obesity and fostering children.
2 people found this helpful
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- Joy
- 18-01-18
A++
Cathy Glass is an inspiration. She is a miracle worked in the life of these kids and alot of time the parents of the kids she cares for. I never expected this story to end like it did but sad as it was the kids were and will be okay thanks to her and other kind ppl like her.
2 people found this helpful
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- Randi shelton
- 08-09-17
Excellent and very timely
Another excellent book by Cathy Glass!
It's a very well-written and timely story about a little boy who is morbidly obese and his family. Max comes to live with Cathy and her family when his mother is hospitalized with complications from type II diabetes. Cathy's fostering of Max gets off to a bad start when she receives a threatening phone call from Max's mother before his arrival. No one mentions Max's obesity, and Cathy and her family are understandably shocked when they meet Max for the first time. The social worker refuses to acknowlege it, and when Cathy proposes small changes, she's told to leave things as they are. It's not until he has a medical appointment as part of the precess of coming into care, that Cathy is given the go ahead to help Max to begin to lose weight and thus live a more normal life- something he wants for himself.
As the story progresses, the rest of the family gradually warms to Cathy and accepts what she's doing for Max. His three sisters, who also struggle with obesity, also try the program Max is using.
As the book goes on, we learn about Max's mother's terrible childhood and come to understand why she's the way she is -- angry, distant, and we learn why she withholds affection from her children. I found myself liking her and Max's three sisters and cheering them on.
As with many of the books Cathy Glass has written, this one will stay with me for a long time. Sadly, childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions here in the U.S. as well. Thank you for sharing Max's story with us, ands always telling it so well.
2 people found this helpful
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- Marcia B.
- 15-09-17
Good foster care story with gripping tale
Cathy Glass tells of a challenging foster care story in England. She takes on an intellectual young boy who is obese and has a mother resistant to changing his situation. The troubles of the family interfere with Cathy's attempts to help the boy in many ways. An interesting riveting read. Recommended.
1 person found this helpful
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- Brian Lee
- 23-04-22
Cathy Glass perfection!
Sometime asked me today who my favorite author was and I said Cathy class hands down this one was a really great story.. it kept me engaged the whole time you will enjoy!
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- WJD
- 31-01-22
Overweight Is A Special Need
I felt sorry for the family. I noted that for people with complications from being overweight it is a special need. There is a need to recognize this disease and provide for it in the same no fault way we treat other illnesses. We need to have wheel chairs and scooters and even generous sized seating on all public transportation, flights, trains, buses, waiting rooms. As usual I loved the book from what I learned about helping children and people.
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- Michelle Sanderson
- 11-12-21
Love cathy glass books
Can’t get enough of her books it is like I was living with her in her foster home great books
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- LeAnn
- 20-09-21
So touching
This book is filled with love, heartbreak & life lessons..that hit a little close to home
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- CAROL ANN G.
- 23-10-20
Well Done Cathy
I’ve read all but 3 of Cathy Glass’s novels about her fostering experiences. This is one of the best stories yet.
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- Mayra N.
- 16-02-20
As always very entertaining
I love cathy glass and her books. It is always amazing to see the journey she foes thru with her foster kids. This is one of the stories I'm happy to know ends so well.