They Cage the Animals at Night: The True Story of an Abandoned Child's Struggle for Emotional Survival
Written by Jennings Michael Burch
Narrated by Jim Meskimen
4/5
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Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
The heartbreaking, iconic true story of an abandoned little boy's horrific journey through the American foster care system.
One misty evening, Jennings Michael Burch's mother, too sick to care for him, left her eight-year-old son at an orphanage with the words, "I'll be right back." She wasn't. . . .
Shuttled through a bleak series of foster homes, orphanages, and institutions, Jennings never remained in any of them long enough to make a friend. Instead, he clung to a tattered stuffed animal named Doggie, his sole source of comfort in a frightening world.
Here, in his own words, Jennings Michael Burch reveals the abuse and neglect he experienced during his lost childhood. But while his experiences are both shocking and devastating, his story is ultimately one of hope—the triumphant tale of a forgotten child who somehow found the courage to reach out for love and found it waiting for him.
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Reviews for They Cage the Animals at Night
79 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It was good, but not exactly what I expected from the blurbs on the front and back covers. I was glad for the author that it wasn't a situation where he was in an institution or foster home constantly, but yet, each time he got to go home and then had to go back into the system, it was heart-breaking to read. I was glad the story had a somewhat happy ending--and also glad to see that Doggie stayed even into adulthood.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5While it didn't bring me to my knees with grief and sorrow, it was emotional. I didn't particularly enjoy they way it was written . It was like he was still that age.. like he wanted me to be a child with him who he was sharing storytime with. More effective to me would have been to tell it to me from one adult to another. Good book though and as always, no matter any review I always admire the strength of any author who heals through writing. There is power in release of trauma and to be commended no matter the style.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Jennings Michael Burch and his brothers lived with their single mother in New York City. She became ill when he was eight, and his life became a series of lonely, abusive orphanages, foster situations and homelessness. His solace was a stuffed dog.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I absolutely loved this book. The story of Jennings Michael Burch is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. The book vividly captures that sadness and anxiety that envelop a young boy who is shuffled between orphanages and foster homes. I found the narrative to be remarkably authentic. I know some reviewers have wondered aloud if the author embellished his experiences to make them even more harrowing than they were. Others have aptly noted that the writing is far from perfect. But the fact that Burch doesn't come off as a Faulkner, Hemingway or Steinbeck makes the book even more authentic. True, the emotional roller coaster ride readers experience as Jennings is bounced back and forth from his home to various facilities is draining. But that's the whole point. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5good book even though it was sad but had a happy ending