The Family Friend - Softcover

Lowe, Matt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0091912261 ISBN 13: 9780091912260

Publisher: Ebury Press, 2008

Synopsis

Matt Lowe's childhood was outwardly idyllic. He was part of a large, loving family and lived comfortably on the Norfolk coast. Yet, unnoticed by his parents and peers, he was being abused by a young man who had been welcomed into the family fold—in the guise of the perfect family friend. Jeremy was intelligent, artistic, and fantastic with children. A real-life Peter Pan, he was loved by the children and trusted by the adults. He was particularly fond of Matt and would organize outings and treats every weekend, just for the two of them. But from the start the relationship had a sinister side; one that Matt instinctively knew must remain hidden. Written with heart-wrenching candor, Matt's story is an unusually insightful and moving account of how one small boy endured many years of sexual and psychological abuse and how, without realizing, those closest to him allowed it to happen.

About this title

About the Author:

Matt Lowe participated in an innovative community center set up to counter the social isolation of mental health service users in the inner city and currently provides support to young people in residential and other settings.

Review:

"Sensitively handled, beautifully written" * The Bookseller * "A gut-wrenchingly honest book" * Daily Mail * "Sobering and disturbing ... Lowe describes with sometimes startling honesty what he went through ... not a cheerful read, understandably, but not wholly without optimism either" * Herald *

About this edition

• Publisher: Ebury Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0091912261
• ISBN 13: 9780091912260
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 346