Product Description

Constance’s mother systematically abused her daughter, both physically and emotionally, throughout her childhood. Regularly beaten and starved, the girl was so desperate she took herself off to Social Services and tried to get taken into care. When that failed, she swallowed bleach 'because it kills all known germs and my mother always told me I was a germ'. When Constance was thirteen, her mother simply moved out, leaving her daughter to fend for herself: there was no gas, no electricity and no food.



But somehow Constance found the courage to survive her terrible start in life. This is her heartrending – and ultimately triumphant – story. (20060122)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1602 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Review

‘Utterly extraordinary . . . harrowing, often deeply disturbing, but ultimately inspiring’

(Daily Mail )

'Reading the book is like an exercise in bottling up your rage. Afterwards, you feel helpless and disturbed. Which is only right.' (Standard )

'An astonishing true story of hope over adversity' (Mail on Sunday )

‘Remarkable’

(Good Housekeeping )

'Compelling . . . Disturbingly honest.'

(Woman & Home )

'Horrific, but remarkable too. Let us hope that Constance's story will inspire young people everywhere to not only hold onto their dreams and make them happen, but also to be better parents themselves.'

(Lesley Pearse )

'This is a lawyer's memoir with a difference, an inspiring antidote to the usual catalogue of tedious milestones towards legal eminence . . . She's also managed - a rare feat for a lawyer - to write an absorbing book in language untainted by convoluted legal-speak.'

(Marcel Berlins, Guardian )

'UGLY is the life story of Constance Briscoe. Starved, beaten and told she was an "ugly waste of space", this is a heart-rending account of a mother's cruelty from one of the first black women to sit as a judge in the UK.' (Elle )

Synopsis
Constance's mother systematically abused her daughter, both physically and emotionally, throughout her childhood. Regularly beaten and starved, the girl was so desperate she took herself off to Social Services and tried to get taken into care. When that failed, she swallowed bleach 'because it kills all known germs and my mother always told me I was a germ'. When Constance was thirteen, her mother simply moved out, leaving her daughter to fend for herself: there was no gas, no electricity and no food. But somehow Constance found the courage to survive her terrible start in life. This is her heartrending -- and ultimately triumphant -- story.

From the Publisher
Constance Briscoe's story is truly extraordinary - and to hear her read this audiobook of her life is an unforgettable experience. Her character really shines through in this recording, not just in her words but in her voice and her delivery. It is both gripping and very moving.

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Customer Reviews

Powerful read
I'm not usually one for reading biographies but this was recommended by a friend. From the moment I started reading it I could not put it down. It is one of the most powerful books I have ever read and touched me to my very core. At times I found it difficult to read her harrowing account of the abuse that Constance suffered at the hands of her mother. How this little girl was so dismally failed by the system beggers belief, although as I work in the Mental Health sector I know first hand that it happens. This book made me an emotional wreck, however, the book does have a few lighthearted moments which had me laughing out loud and cheering Constance on. This book has the works - emotion (in bucket loads), humour and a truely inspirational author - enjoy, I did.

Fabulous
This is a book that I will always remember. Although harrowing at times I found that the story was written with compassion and a great deal of humour. Please don't be put off reading it, thinking it will all be doom and gloom because it isn't. The pay off is more than worthwhile and despite it's content, it is a very uplifting story. I can't wait to read the sequel which I've just ordered.

Disturbing but great read!
Although I found this book quite disturbing in parts I would say it was a fantastic read. From the beginning to the end it kept me hooked to the covers.. Im not quite sure why there is so much controversy about this book but in my eyes I see a woman who was hurt and overcome this hurt by making it by herself. The question does come to mind why someone like herself would make up such a story... The thing is alot of families have secrets and black people being proud as we are want to believe that these things dont happen in ours, BUT THEY DO! Good on her I say. People like that deserve to be exposed! Every secret comes out eventually...