Inspiring woman.

Loved the book, my only disappointment was that she didn’t read it herself as hearing her on TV I found her voice so lovely. ❤️

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really interesting and engaging

very well narrated and very eloquently written. I heard Meena being interviewed and thought I would listen to her book as she came across so eloquently and engaging. I found the book easier to listen to than I expected. it is a fascinating insight to the human condition and how to treat people especially in the face of adversity.
it makes you think and reflect. I enjoyed how Meena described her beliefs around religion. I am not a religious person myself and it helps me embrace different beliefs. I highly recommend.

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A must listen

I can’t believe I have never heard of Mina and her story until now. I found her by chance via her appearance on Desert Island Discs. I’m hopeless at writing reviews and so I rarely do, but this book is so important and so under promoted that I must try. It’s excellently and simply written and perfectly narrated. I finished it in less than a day.

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Incredible

Listening to this book and learning about Mina Smallman's life and experiences, I am in awe of the woman she is. I am 37 years old, and I was a pupil at Harrow High School. I remember my first drama lesson with Mrs Smallman, as we called her. I had never met a teacher like her. My friends and I found her fascinating. I myself am mixed race / Black, from a council estate & come from a very dysfunctional background & for a long time I was lost & lacked any real guidance. Even when I no longer had lessons with Mrs Smallman, she arranged for me to see a mentor. I avoided speaking to her for as long as I could, until one day she stopped me for a chat in a private room, and she was quite firm with me. I remember I cried. In hindsight, I think I was overwhelmed with the emotion that came from Mrs Smallman. This teacher who actually cared when I was going through extreme neglect & feelings of abandonment & worthlessness which as a young teen, I had no idea how to process. It is a moment I have never forgotten & I don't think I realised just how important it was until many years later when I started to reflect & heal from my own past trauma. I can truly say that I was SEEN by Mrs Smallman & I can't really put into words just how important this has been for me throughout my life even up until now. She really is an incredible woman. Mr Smallman was also a great teacher, he was my form tutor and English Teacher, he was the first teacher who told me that if I focused and used my potential that I could get the required GCSEs to go on to do my A Levels and then University, which was not even on my radar up until that point. When other teachers were dismissive of me, he gave me hope, even when I misbehaved & caused trouble. When he left, I gave him a thank you card, and I have never forgotten him since. Everyone should read / listen to this book & we should never forget Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.

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Powerful Book

Mina and her husband Chris are incredible people, who have suffered the worst of humanity. I am so sorry for what happened to their daughters both during and after, may they rest in peace. A book everyone should read.

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A story that needed to be heard

I saw the author on the Great British Menu and snippet of what she had gone through shocked me. How had I not known. I forgave myself a little as I gave up listening to the news 10 years ago, but still big stories get through to you even when you don’t watch or listen don’t they?

I downloaded the book immediately even though I rarely do non-fiction and have never read/ listen to an autobiography (sorry Michelle Obama I just couldn’t get through it). I thought that this woman deserved her story to be heard. And yes I heard her, the tragedy, the sadness, the hurt, the disappointment, the triumphs.

I always find it hard to say something is good when its full of sadness due to the crazy world we live in. So would I say good. No, I can’t put a word good to someone who had to go through such heartbreak. What I can say is it’s a must, do not let these beautiful girls names leave our lips and our hearts. Don’t let the injustices in the world get unnoticed.

If as an author you ever read these reviews I say “Thank you and I am so very very sorry”.

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Touching story of overcoming adversity

A wonderfully written and powerful collection of Mina’s memories. A moving account of the worst of humanity but turning trauma into fuel for activism

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