Cut: The True Story of an Abandoned, Abused Little Girl Who Was Desperate to Be Part of a Family - Cathy Glass

==The Author==

Cut is the third book from best selling author Cathy Glass. Cathy is a foster carer and has been fostering for over twenty years and fostered over fifty children so I am sure she could write dozens of books on her experiences! I have previously read Cathy's previous two novels 'Damaged' and 'Hidden' and found these a compelling read so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with this book. All Cathy's books are based on real ...
...fostered.

==Introduction to the Plot==

Cut is based on the story of a thirteen year old girl called Dawn. Dawn appears to be a very polite and helpful girl. Cathy was given no background information on this child by Social Services so she had no idea of the events that would unfold. The first time they realised something was wrong was when Cathy and her husband awoke one night to find Dawn standing over the cot of their ... more

The Author

Cut is the third book from best selling author Cathy Glass. Cathy is a foster carer and has been fostering for over twenty years and fostered over fifty children so I am sure she could write dozens of books on her experiences! I have previously read Cathy's previous two novels 'Damaged' and 'Hidden' and found these a compelling read so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with this book. All Cathy's books are based on real life events and true stories based on children she has fostered.

Introduction to the Plot

Cut is based on the story of a thirteen year old girl called Dawn. Dawn appears to be a very polite and helpful girl. Cathy was given no background information on this child by Social Services so she had no idea of the events that would unfold. The first time they realised something was wrong was when Cathy and her husband awoke one night to find Dawn standing over the cot of their new born baby in their bedroom. It soon became apparent that she was sleepwalking and they led her back to her bedroom. The sleepwalking continued nearly every night and Cathy found it very disturbing but had no idea why she was doing this.

Cathy was aware that Dawn had a poor record for her school attendance but she seemed to be attending and going up to her room to do her homework. A week later they had a phone call from her school to say that she hadn't been in all week! The continuing battle began to get Dawn to stay in school. Dawn seemed to be still hanging around with her old friends and often went missing and was brought home drunk by the police. Another more disturbing trait that unfolded was the fact that she self harmed. Cathy was at her wits end on many occasions and had no idea why this child was displaying such disturbing behaviour but the harrowing truth soon unfolds!

My Thoughts

The fact that this book is based on true events makes it more compelling. I am aware that these kinds of books are very popular and I am not sure what that really says about the society we live in? Are there so many books due to the high number of children being abused or is it because as a nation we like to read about other peoples misfortunes to make us feel better about our own lives? I don't know the reason but I did find this book very difficult to put down, maybe in the hope that there would be a happy ending.

This book is different from traditional novels as it is portrayed in Cathy's own words and her witnessing and explaining all the events that have happened. This style of writing may not be to everyone's tastes but it certainly makes it seem more real. You cannot help but feel sympathy for Cathy and her family with the lack of support and information from Social Services. This child was fostered many years ago and is now thirty six years old so I do hope that the support for foster carers has changed since then! The way the young girl Dawn is portrayed by Cathy really get you involved with her character and you really feel Cathy's warmth and care towards her.

In summary I would highly recommend this book. It highlights the pitfalls of foster caring but also shows how rewarding it can be, mind you I think I have been put off for life after reading Cathy's books! A very compelling read.  

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