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The Girl Behind the Gates cover art

The Girl Behind the Gates

By: Brenda Davies
Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
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Summary

A raw, heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting novel about a young woman cut down in her prime, and of the woman who brings her back to life.

Top 10 Kindle best seller

1939. Seventeen-year-old Nora Jennings has spent her life secure in the certainty of a bright, happy future - until one night of passion has more catastrophic consequences than she ever could have anticipated. Labelled a moral defective and sectioned under the Mental Deficiency Act, she is forced to endure years of unspeakable cruelty at the hands of those who are supposed to care for her.

1981. When psychiatrist Janet Humphreys comes across Nora, heavily institutionalised and still living in the hospital more than 40 years after her incarceration, she knows that she must be the one to help Nora rediscover what it is to live. But as she works to help Nora overcome her past, Janet realises she must finally face her own.

Based on a true story, The Girl Behind the Gates is the raw, heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting tale of a young woman cut down in her prime, and of the woman who finally brings her back to life, perfect for fans of The Girl in the Letter and Philomena.

©2020 Brenda Davies (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic reviews

"Compelling. Poignant. Haunting. Heart wrenching. Just beautiful. Everyone needs to read this wonderful book." (Renita D'Silva, best-selling author of The Forgotten Daughter

What listeners say about The Girl Behind the Gates

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Nora

The harrowing account of her life and the pitying small moments of joy Nora wrenched from it . The characterization of Nora and slow steady decline into institutionalization.

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powerful listening

this had me gripped the whole way through. It was so powerful and intense. I loved it albeit very mixed emotions.

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Unbelievable

This book heals a broken soul . This is an unbelievable option from the doctors prescriptions

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Wonderful book

The Girl Behind the Gates is a wonderful story. Much of it was difficult to listen to and heartbreaking. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it even harder. I cried many times, but there were tears of happiness also.
It is unbelievable what this woman went through, and survived! Thankfully there were some, just a handful really, who enabled her to survive and come out the other side in the end.

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Heart wrenching yet hopeful

I loved this book. It’s heartbreaking what happened to unmarried mothers not so very long ago. This book beautifully tells a truly incredible story and sheds light on an unbelievably ugly practice in our country.

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Amazing Story

Out of 400 books I’ve listened to this must be at the top of that list! At the beginning you carnt imagine how someone can survive the suffering that took place at that time. I would recommend this book.

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Too descriptive

Not for me. Got bored. The storytelling is far too descriptive . Have deleted .

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totally absorbing

Excellent listen, beautiful read. so sad at times and yet completely uplifting, the end was inspiring. Highly recommended.

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  • kp
  • 03-04-22

Painful and touching

This book is excellent and gives a true insight into what went on in old mental institutions.
Very moving and heart wrenching

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great book

really good story, really sad at times, so glad there was a happy end

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