Love as Always, Mum xxx: The true and terrible story of surviving a childhood with Fred and Rose West
Mae West
Sep 2018 · Hachette UK
4.7star
238 reviewsreport
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352
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About this ebook
'A CHILLING new memoir by the daughter of mass murderer Fred West and his wife Rose describes the savage cruelty of her upbringing in 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester' DAILY MAIL
'Mae, I mean this ... I'm not a good person and I let all you children down ...' Rose West, HM PRISON DURHAM
It has taken over 20 years for Mae West to find the perspective and strength to tell her remarkable story: one of an abusive, violent childhood, of her serial killer parents and how she has rebuilt her life in the shadow of their terrible crimes.
Through her own memories, research and the letters her mother wrote to her from prison, Mae shares her emotionally powerful account of her life as a West. From a toddler locked in the deathly basement to a teen fighting off the sexual advances of her father, Mae's story is one of survival. It also answers the questions: how do you come to terms with knowing your childhood bedroom was a graveyard? How do you accept the fact your parents sexually tortured, murdered and dismembered young women? How do you become a mother yourself when you're haunted by the knowledge that your own mother was a monster? Why were you spared and how do you escape the nightmare?
What other readers are saying about Love as Always, Mum xxx:
'A fascinating read. Mae West seems like such a warmhearted and caring person. It was heart-breaking to hear about what she went through.' 5* Goodreads
'This book is truly moving in many ways and as much as I want to say I enjoyed it, I didn't, because it was heart-wrenching, but that's why it's a 5-star read. So much emotion and truth. It's definitely hard not to be moved by this.' 5* Goodreads
'This is an extremely important story to read, giving Mae a voice to be verbal about breaking the cycle of abuse and surviving a terror she never thought she would be a part of. And because of that, it deserves five stars.' 5* Goodreads
'This has got to be the most heartbreaking and emotionally demanding book I have ever read ... a heart wrenching and powerful read.' 5* Goodreads
'As an avid reader of true crime books I had read a lot about Feed and Rose West. However with all of those books I had never considered their surviving children. This feels like such a raw, honest and real account of day to day life in 25 Cromwell Street. Good on you Mae for your strength to tell your story.' 5* Goodreads
'A hauntingly tragic book. I couldn't put it down from start to finish.' 5* Goodreads
'Mae, I mean this ... I'm not a good person and I let all you children down ...' Rose West, HM PRISON DURHAM
It has taken over 20 years for Mae West to find the perspective and strength to tell her remarkable story: one of an abusive, violent childhood, of her serial killer parents and how she has rebuilt her life in the shadow of their terrible crimes.
Through her own memories, research and the letters her mother wrote to her from prison, Mae shares her emotionally powerful account of her life as a West. From a toddler locked in the deathly basement to a teen fighting off the sexual advances of her father, Mae's story is one of survival. It also answers the questions: how do you come to terms with knowing your childhood bedroom was a graveyard? How do you accept the fact your parents sexually tortured, murdered and dismembered young women? How do you become a mother yourself when you're haunted by the knowledge that your own mother was a monster? Why were you spared and how do you escape the nightmare?
What other readers are saying about Love as Always, Mum xxx:
'A fascinating read. Mae West seems like such a warmhearted and caring person. It was heart-breaking to hear about what she went through.' 5* Goodreads
'This book is truly moving in many ways and as much as I want to say I enjoyed it, I didn't, because it was heart-wrenching, but that's why it's a 5-star read. So much emotion and truth. It's definitely hard not to be moved by this.' 5* Goodreads
'This is an extremely important story to read, giving Mae a voice to be verbal about breaking the cycle of abuse and surviving a terror she never thought she would be a part of. And because of that, it deserves five stars.' 5* Goodreads
'This has got to be the most heartbreaking and emotionally demanding book I have ever read ... a heart wrenching and powerful read.' 5* Goodreads
'As an avid reader of true crime books I had read a lot about Feed and Rose West. However with all of those books I had never considered their surviving children. This feels like such a raw, honest and real account of day to day life in 25 Cromwell Street. Good on you Mae for your strength to tell your story.' 5* Goodreads
'A hauntingly tragic book. I couldn't put it down from start to finish.' 5* Goodreads
Ratings and reviews
4.7
238 reviews
Bella Amour
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July 31, 2023
heartbreaking story that almost seems too horrific to be true. however, the author manages to weave in hope as well as love in between such a dark story. amazing book and definitely worth the read.
Gemma Darking
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June 5, 2022
This is a book I was not sure if I could handle reading but I am glad I did... I was very young when all this came about and didn't really know to much about it... I had no idea there was that many children living there and what they went through how they made there own children suffer... Tragic it really is my heart breaks for every single one of them 💔 What an inspirational lady you are Mae... Well-Done! for telling your story it must have taken alot of courage... It was a real eye opener to read... You all suffered in the most horrible ways through your child hoods... I'm so glad you are managing to move forward and have a family of your own with 2 children to be proud of and give them the life you didn't have... You should be very proud Mae... Thank-You! for the chance to read your story its defo 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🤗👍
Grainne O'Reilly
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October 3, 2022
phenomenal,brave,truest of human beings. As the aphorism goes"God sends great light into great evil". It seems abject horror that innocent children should be born into criminal homes. As if it a matter of offence,biological luck rather than God or fate. What god could abandon any child to that fate?What a horrific burden to carry as children&to reach adulthood as the best of people,of society. Truly heartbreaking to read of the constant emotional wrangling, dealing with the ultimate betrayal of innocence,parental abuse. &profound that all the children maintained responsibility for the crimes, they did not commit. Carrying an unnecessary burden,shame&just as theists,psychiatrists preach,tried to redeem situation&criminal parent from crime. Truly humane,God's elect. It was less memoir more inadvertent guide to the psychological trenches&of the tenacity of the good,the soul confronted by the soulless. Even in the face of the greatest evil,life triumphs reaffirms,the truth sets us free.
About the author
Mae West moved from Gloucester as soon as she could. She has rebuilt a life for herself and her family, but still lives in the shadow of her parents' crimes.
Neil McKay has written extensively for radio, television and film to great acclaim. He met Mae whilst writing Appropriate Adult, a drama about Fred West, for which he received the Writer's Guild of Great Britain award for best single drama. Other credits include This is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, which won the broadcast award for best single drama, and See no Evil: The Moors Murders, which won the BAFTA for best drama series.
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