About this ebook
Deserted by his mother and abandoned by his father at just three months old, Jerry Coyne was sent to live in a Catholic children's home run by nuns of the order of the Sisters of Nazareth. Life soon settled into a rhythm and then, one day, the beatings started. Harsh, vicious punishments became part of everyday life for the bemused little boy as the nuns attempted to beat the Devil out of him. Jerry began to hide behind bad behaviour and at the age of 12, his defiance resulted in him being sent to a boarding for boys with behavioural problems. Life then got worse when his housemaster, the man whose job it was to take care of him, began a regime of mental, physical and sexual abuse. Years of self-hatred and guilt led to Jerry suffering from a severe stammer and, eventually, he tried to hang himself. This was the turning point and, after finally finding the courage to go to the authorities, Jerry and numerous other victims came forward and were instrumental in the conviction and imprisonment of their abuser. Devil's Child is the devastating true story of a childhood destroyed by abuse and of a young man's struggle to try to come to terms with the past and believe in the future.
Deserted by his mother and abandoned by his father at just three months old, Jerry Coyne was sent to live in a Catholic children's home run by nuns of the order of the Sisters of Nazareth. Life soon settled into a rhythm and then, one day, the beatings started. Harsh, vicious punishments became p...
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Ratings and reviews
14 reviews
Deb Rickford
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November 15, 2014
Very good but also very sad that Jerry was abused horrifically by those who were supposed to be taking good care of him. I'm so happy he finally found happiness.
Bebe Lopez
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October 20, 2023
This was a very difficult read! I didn't know evil really existed till I read this book! May God continue to bless you today and always!
Katie Wesner
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July 24, 2025
Great book. Jerry is very intelligent and brave. What an amazing man! I wish him all the good that life has to offer!
About the author
Jerry Coyne is forty-six and lives in Nottingham, where he works as a bricklayer. His greatest hope is that, one day, he`ll be able to leave the memories of his childhood behind him.
Jerry Coyne is forty-six and lives in Nottingham, where he works as a bricklayer. His greatest hope is that, one day, he`ll be able to leave the memories of his childhood behind him.
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