Dimensions
126 x 198 x 19mm
Sent away to an industrial school at the age of seven, orphan Patrick Touher's childhood was one of continuous labour, never-ending hunger, malicious cruelty and sexual assault at the hands of the Christian Brothers who 'cared' for him.
After eight long years, Patrick finally left to start a life of his own. But the adult world was a dangerous place for a naive 16-year-old.
The hardship of 4 am starts at the bakery was bad enough, but the Catholic Boys' Home where he was staying was again rife with sexual abuse - this time not from those in charge but from the other boys. Leaving for England to find better work, Patrick arrives in London without knowing a soul. Again he is seen as easy prey.
Yet Patrick's strength, honesty and sense of humour never left him. The boy they couldn't break fought back and travelled the world, and eventually found love and a family. But the shadow of his early years was always with him. With the encouragement of his wife - a constant witness to his traumatic nightmares - Patrick set about taking the Christian Brother to task.
The eagerly awaited sequel to bestseller Fear of the Collar that doesn't disappoint, Scars that Run Deep is a deeply moving and ultimately triumphant true story.
