Behind closed doors - Jenny Tomlin

Advantages: Amazing story of survival
Disadvantages: Quite upsetting in places

...but when I came across Behind Closed Doors, a story about child abuse, this conversation was what prompted me to try it. The author, Jenny Tomlin, was born in the East End in 1956. Her first memories are at 4 years old, waking up to the sound of her mother being thrown against the wall and her whimpers as her father raged at her. At this point her brother Laurence was 5 and her sister Kim 2. She describes how this was a regular morning occurrence ...
...abuse wasn't just reserved for Mum, however. The children suffered violence and humiliation for any reason that their father chose to come up with. They lived in filth as Mum had no idea when it came to housekeeping and besides, she spent most of her time trying to keep her husband happy. The children were sent out of the house in the morning (usually without breakfast) and told not to return until tea time. So while they went without, Dad would ... Read review

Advantages: Good read
Disadvantages: Shocking

...about her new book - Behind closed doors. It was billed as a biography that would was graphic and shocking…My wife decided she wanted to read the book so I went to WH Smith and bought it. Our copy was hardback and costs £9.99, I had just finished the book I was reading so decided I would grab it before my wife. Lets be honest everyone has a biography out these days - Jordan, Sharon Osbourne, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Boy George and so the list goes ...
...would recommend the book for reading, it is not a hugely long read and indeed was the fastest I have ever completed a book. It is disturbing reading. Thanks for reading - Dave Behind Closed Doors Jenny Tomlin ISBN: 0340837918 Published: 09/05/2005 Hardback £12.99 RRP ... Read review

Advantages: Very compelling and original
Disadvantages: The whole thing is pretty morbid and definitely not a feel-good read

I currently work at the local library and so when any new material comes in I often get first pick or else something will catch my eye whilst shelving the stock. That is how I came about reading Jenny Tomlin's "Behind Closed Doors". After reading it I was left fairly distraught at the humiliation and horror that Jenny and her sister had to go through. Jenny Tomlin (nee Ponting) grew up in the East End and lived in squalor and danger during her early ...
...from her father and how Jenny and her sister Kim were sexually assaulted night afer night by their abusive father from as young as the age of 7. No-one was prepared to listen to them when they tried to tell them what was going on. Even the NSPCC officers and the police were not interested and Jenny's father beat the children more if they dared to complain. Eventually Jenny was old enough to stand up for herself and help the situation but the majority ... Read review

Advantages: a compelling read, but awful to read
Disadvantages: none

...to find out more. Behind Closed Doors is the story of child abuse. Abuse suffered by three girls at the hand of their father. Their mother does nothing to protect them, neither does anybody else. Jenny, Kim and Laurence are the three Ponting children. The other kids taunt them with cries of "smelly ponting" and sing about them to the tune of the Adams Family theme. The kids are dirty and malnourished. The parents do not wash them or feed them. ...
...usually brought on by a trip to the job centre. The mother can only earn money by sleeping with the men that her husband brings home to her. The only ray of sunshine in the kids lives is that of their Auntie, who adores them. When they stay with her they have nice clothes, warm food and cosy beds to sleep in. Auntie has no children of her own and adores the three of them. As the children grow up, two more kids are born, Christopher and Carole. ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent read!!!
Disadvantages: Heartbreaking

**Synopsis** Born one of five children, Jenny Ponting grew up in house where no-one was safe. Brought up in the east end of London, her childhood was spent in filth and fear. Violent beatings, sexual abuse and being publicly humiliated were part of daily life. Her mother was of no help; she herself was also sexually assaulted and savagely beaten on a daily basis, but still spent all of her life trying to keep her husband happy even if this meant ...
...instead choosing to live off the government while claiming he suffered from fits and blackouts. However these were claims purely used for their many creditors and to receive handouts from the social services. It was a very poor household with virtually no food, the children were forced out of the house usually without breakfast every morning and not allowed to return until the evening. He was very good at getting money but didn't actually do anything ... Read review