Cut [Hardcover]

Cathy Glass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2008

In her new book, the no.1 bestselling author of Damaged tells the story of the Dawn, a sweet and seemingly well-balanced girl whose outward appearance masks a traumatic childhood of suffering at the hands of the very people who should have cared for her. Dawn was the first girl Cathy Glass ever fostered. Sweet and seemingly well balanced girl, Dawn's outward appearance masked a traumatic childhood so awful, that even she could not remember it. During the first night, Cathy awoke to see Dawn looming above Cathy's baby's cot, her eyes staring and blank. She sleepwalks -- which Cathy learns is often a manifestation in disturbed children. It becomes a regular and frightening occurrence, and Cathy is horrified to find Dawn lighting a match whilst mumbling it's not my fault in her sleep one night. Cathy discovers Dawn is playing truant from school, and struggling to make friends. More worryingly she finds her room empty one night, and her pillow covered in blood. Dawn has been self-harming in order to release the pain of her past. When Dawn attempts suicide, Cathy realises that she needs more help than she can give.Dawn's mother eventually confides in her that Dawn was sent away to live with relatives in Ireland between the ages of 5 and 9, and Cathy soon realises that the horrors Dawn was exposed to during this time have left her a very disturbed little girl.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviews for 'Damaged': 'Cannot fail to move those who read it.' Adoption-net 'Heartbreaking.' The Mirror 'A truly harrowing read that made me cry.' The Sun 'A true tale of hope. ****.' OK! 'Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass's book should change all that.****' First Magazine 'A hugely touching and emotional true tale.' Star Magazine

About the Author

Cathy Glass has been a foster carer for over 20 years, during which time she has looked after more than 50 children, of all ages and backgrounds. Cathy runs training courses on fostering for her local Social Services, and helps draft new fostering procedures and guidelines. Cathy has three teenage children of her own; one of whom was adopted after a long-term foster placement.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harper Element (August 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007280971
• ISBN-13: 978-0007280971
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,729,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been a writer for as long as I can remember - articles, short stories, poems, the odd radio play, and writing competitions. Like many writers it was a hobby, something I did almost furtively in my spare time, while employed in my 'bread and butter' work, and looking after my family; all the while waiting to be discovered. The big one, the novel I sent out and was rejected - 'we very much liked your story but our lists are full'. For the last 23 years I have also been a foster carer - looking after children who could not be cared for by their own parents, often rising at 4.30 to write as that was the only free (and quiet) time. Then miraculously the two halves of my life - writer and foster carer - came together in a way that was truly the stuff of dreams. I wrote about a child I had fostered and it immediately became a number one best seller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, February 10, 2011

By 

Kenn (Ft Walton Beach, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cut (Paperback)

This book is absolutely amazing. I wanted to finish it all at once. The devotion "Cathy" and "Jon" demonstrated to "Dawn" is inspiring. I am not sure when this actually took place however it is intersting to see how the foster care system has changed as well as how it contrats with that of England. As a student working toward an MSW with a background in counseling adolescents this book was very real on the pain teens are going through today. Parents have a high calling and this book demonstrates the need all the more as it draws our attention to NSSI/SIB more commonly known as "cutting". You most likely know a cutter!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written!, April 9, 2010

By 

Witty-Mom "dason530" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cut (Paperback)

Certainly a book that makes you pause and look at troubled teenagers through a different set of lenses. "Cut" is not only well written, it is completely engrossing. You will cry, laugh, and learn to love along with Cathy as she tries desperately to parent Dawn. A great read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cut, April 11, 2011

By 

Val - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cut (Paperback)

Cut tells the story of Dawn, one of Cathy Glass' first children she fostered. Dawn seemed to be almost too good; indeed it turned out she was a truant, a drinker, carouser and cutter. She had a forgotten past in which she was abused and was involved in some horrifying escapades. Cathy and her then-spouse felt their way through the process of caring for this girl whilst protecting their infant son from her attentions. I enjoyed the book and was sad to hear Cathy and John had parted ways.