A Very Private School
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A Very Private School
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Narrated by:
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Charles Spencer
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By:
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Charles Spencer
About this listen
'Shocking and moving' Guardian
'Top marks for its searing frankness, framed in wistfully beautiful prose’ The Times
At eight years of age, Charles Spencer was sent away to one of England's most England's most exclusive boarding schools. Here he reveals the strange secrets of the school, and the culture of cruelty and abuse he experienced in his five years there as pupil.
Spencer reflects on the misery, hopelessness and abandonment he felt aged eight, viscerally describing the intense pain of homesickness and the vicious brutality of a boys' school in the 1970s. All these years later, Spencer's bafflement at the teachers' motivations to inflict such cruelty on young children in palpable. As is his fury that, even if somehow he had spoken up, he'd never have been believed.
Charles Spencer's book 'A Very Private School' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 11-03-2024.
©2024 Charles Spencer (P)2024 HarperCollins PublishersWhat listeners say about A Very Private School
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous
- 22-06-2024
An honest account
I feel for those poor boys who had to endure the monstrosity of almost all those in power at that school. This book must have taken a lot of courage to write. Thank you for writing it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-03-2024
Extraordinary
Such a frank account of a dreadful boarding school life. It is hard to believe this went on in schools so comparatively recently. Brilliantly written and narrated but a harrowing listen to be honest. Could have cried several times for those poor boys. Well done Charles Spencer.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 04-05-2024
Good to share
Well done Charles going against the English stiff upper lift way. I do hope this has been a cathartic experience for you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Peonyrose
- 30-03-2024
Brilliant. Heartbreaking. Not to be missed.
Wow what an amazing account of tragedy in a bleak silent world full of no love, empathy or kindness. This book is brilliant because while we think these privileged people have wonderful lives they don’t. Earl Spencer’s vulnerability shines through his years of unimaginable pain of private schooling that broke boys psychologically and physically. Hopefully his is the last generation to experience this archaic system. Spencer I send you lots of teddy bears, hugs and much love.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 14-04-2024
Shocking.
What appalls me as much as the warped treatment these children were subjected to, is the collective upper class mind set that enabled it and which the author has exposed so well.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 20-03-2024
Insightful and tragic
A sad insight into the boarding school culture and its effect on a generation of young boys. Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gerri A.
- 04-04-2024
Shocking
Almost brought me to tears. As a parent myself I’ve never understood sending children away to boarding school.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Josephine Staff
- 12-04-2024
Totally honest
A beautifully written honest account of the beastly experiences of boarding school students in the 70’s. Loved listening to it by the author himself Charles Spencer.
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- Anonymous User
- 14-08-2024
shocking, sad and tragic
Very well written and read by author. Heartbreaking to read the life long traumatic effect Maidwell has had on so many young boys that attended there 50 years ago.
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- Deb
- 21-03-2024
Awful childhood abuse no support
Well, written showing in-depth knowledge and a balance for you of all the participants. This will help many who have suffered and others who did not understand. Hopefully will now.
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