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Where Children Run

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Where Children Run

Written by: Karen Emilson
Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
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About this listen

Twins David and Dennis Pischke's lives change forever when their father dies and a man damaged by the war arrives at their farm near the isolated town of Moosehorn, Manitoba. Boleslaw Domko quickly works his way into their lives and their mother's bed.

Where Children Run opens with one of their earliest memories - the day Domko throws their infant stepsister against the wall. In this firsthand account, the twins recall years of neglect, starvation, and enslavement; horrific beatings and candlelit nights spent in the nearby St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Neighbors intervene, but their efforts provide only temporary relief as the children's mother - also living in fear - refuses to press charges.

The brothers vow that if they survive, they will someday expose their tormentor and members of their mother's religious organization who turned a blind eye to their suffering. This is their story - told with stark honesty and in heart-wrenching detail.

Where Children Run is a timeless, unforgettable audiobook about survival, a powerful testament to the strength and adaptability of the human spirit.

Contains mature themes.

©1996 Karen Emilson (P)2018 Tantor
Abuse Parenting & Families True Crime Emotionally Gripping
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What listeners say about Where Children Run

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The horrid upbringing

Although the writing is somewhat choppy, and the story is horrid... you keep listening hoping things will get better. I'm glad I read it.

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This broke my 💔 heart!!!

This story broke my heart!! At first I didn't realize it was a true story! This story was very close to home, but I don't know how these children lasted through this life, the beatings, starving, the cruelty to their animals! Living with a hateful stepfather is a horrible life! The fact that no one protected them is not surprising, but still makes me cry! The story is very explicit but needs to be so people understand what they went through! This was a fact of life for so many!!

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Heartbreaking but important

I cried so many times during this novel. I haven’t finished it yet but know this is a must read / listen to Canadian story. And being a Canadian story is actually not important. The failure of a mother to protect her children. A failure of the police to protect the kids, despite the members of the community asking for help. And the lack of resources in the social services. And all these decades later, tragic stories continues. It is amazing how some children are so resilient and determined in difficult situations.

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Absolutely heart breaking I don’t

I don’t know how to start. But there’s a HUGE difference between discipline and child abuse. Beaten wife syndrome is tragic and so is this story

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Where children run

It was a hard book to read. So hard to believe no one recued these poor children. To the people who gave them warmth food and kindness thank you for caring. To the children my heart broke for them they are true survivors.

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Hit close to home

Great book, listened twice!
had hard time turning it off
narrator did the writer justice

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More Jehovah’s Witnesses causing harm

That’s all these religions do, hide abuse; tell the victims to be better, good, submissive, while lives are completely destroyed. I’m so glad these brothers came forward with their stories. These people need to be exposed. And this was horrific in the abuse they suffered at the hands of a terrible man, and their mother. So sad. So infuriating. Thank you for coming forward and telling the truth!!

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Emotional and well-written

The true story was often difficult to hear and even more difficult to comprehend how it went on for so long. A true testament to the twins strength, courage, and perseverance.

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Incredible read!

Such a desperately sad story of family abuse, mental illness and neglect, but a must read. The strength in these children was unbelievable. Really was drawn into this story. A read read for all.

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courage

a most incredible story. you can only have respect for the strength of the children. they are truly blessed to have survived.

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