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Ootlin
- Narrated by: Isis Hainsworth
- Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
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Ootlin
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
The government told a story about me before I was born.
Jenni Fagan was property of the state before birth. She drew her first breath in care and by the age of seven, she had lived in fourteen different homes and had her name changed multiple times.
Twenty years after her first attempt to write this powerful memoir, Jenni is finally ready to share her account. Ootlin is a journey through the broken UK care system – it is one of displacement and exclusion, but also of the power of storytelling. It is about the very human act of making meaning from adversity.
'Beautiful, deep, transfixing . . . it will burn a home in your heart' LEMN SISSAY
'Essential reading, life-changing' SAMANTHA MORTON
'An astonishing piece of work' NIALL GRIFFITHS
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Critic reviews
"Beautiful, deep, dangerous, transfixing...it will burn a home in your heart, it has in mine... From start to finish I could not put it down." (Lemn Sissay)
"A phenomenal memoir. I am in awe. It takes exceptional strength to survive the events described in this book and courage, skill and magic to write a life story, especially when this type of story is often marginalised." (Amy Liptrot)
"Unbelievably brave. Beautiful, earth-shattering and unforgettable. A truly rare talent." (Samantha Morton)
What listeners say about Ootlin
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- Emma
- 11-09-24
Soaring, Shining Indictment
It's hard to conceive of how much courage, strength, determination and artistic and intellectual brilliance it must have taken to create such beauty by revisiting and exposing the grievous failures of a system and human beings. Dr Fagan's experiences in the care system and situations/relationships arising from these are vividly, powerfully rendered in prose, and Isis Hainsworth's narration is compelling.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jackie
- 31-08-24
...a journey never to be forgotten
....jenni's life story has found a permanent place in my heart. her final thoughts reminded me of 1968, when I was so. hopeful and influenced by Bobby Kennedy....and then he was gone and bit by bit, the state of mankind became clearer as years flew by.
Jenni hits the dilemma on the head....where are the priorities and who is making the decisions...who is leading us where.
The person she was at that young age should have been guided into the best possibilities available....but, look at the world as it is today....we have people in charge worldwide who have lost the plot....power, greed and the unwillingness to do the hard work it takes to bring future generations forward as the best we can be....
well, I'm glad I am aging now and not later...
may jenni reap all her amazing heart and soul deserve. ..and thanks for bravely sharing you...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Natalie
- 07-10-24
Heartbreaking
This book will stay with me forever. I cannot put into words how much I feel for Jenni and all the other children failed by the system.
Why just why do these people choose to work in social care and have no compassion or humanity!
As a mother I wanted so much to scoop that little girl up and give her the love and life she so deserved.
I really wish Jenni everything and more for her future
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Ruth
- 16-09-24
A life changing listen
Jenni Fagan is an awesome human being. Every social worker, police officer and teacher should read/listen to her story. Thank you Jenni for your courageous humanity. May you go from strength to strength.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 18-09-24
Heartbreaking & uplifting!
A childhood memoir of a life in Care. Will break your heart at times, but will have you cheering Jenni on when she shines. It will make you ashamed of the care system & ask if it’s any better now.
Narrated beautifully.
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- miss s clark
- 29-08-24
Powerfully tragic truths.
Raw, uncomfortable and utterly compelling. I was particularly moved by the authors notes at the end of the book.
Thank you Jenni for having the strength and resilience to share your story.
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- Zoe
- 13-09-24
Hard but powerful
Beautiful memoir, very well narrated, the writing is poetic despite it being a hard story. I cried and wanted to scream when listening to this book. I don’t think I will ever forget this book.
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- Anonymous User
- 16-09-24
Powerful and Haunting
Beautifully written autobiography that almost echos a fable or fairy tale . Society and the care system has a lot to answer for as so many childrens lives have been ruined by these institutions and continues to be to this day.
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- Becky
- 06-10-24
Astoundingly good writing
This book held my heart, at times squeezing it so hard I wanted to stop listening.
The courage in the life and writing pushed me on.
Its lessons move me to act. The true measure of the power of art.
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- Steph
- 07-11-24
A remarkable memoir
Wow what a book. A harrowing story, beautifully written. This is a story that needs to be told and will stay in my mind forever. So sad, such strength, truly heartbreaking.
The narrator reads this perfectly and gives the story the feeling and respect it deserves.
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