{"product_id":"gypsy-boy-9780340977989","title":"Gypsy Boy","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGypsy Boy is the first commercial memoir written by someone on the inside of the notoriously secretive culture of the Romany Gypsies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was a \u003cb\u003erevelation\u003c\/b\u003e. Moving, terrifying, funny and brilliant. I shall never forget it - \u003cb\u003ean amazing achievement\u003c\/b\u003e * Stephen Fry *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrash and frightening and funny\u003c\/b\u003e - tonally, think of Frank McCourt meeting Axl Rose. * \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eIn this violent yet often comic memoir, Walsh writes of life as an English Gypsy ... \u003ci\u003eGypsy Boy\u003c\/i\u003e feels, in all its cocky, awkward affection and anguish, like\u003cb\u003e the real deal\u003c\/b\u003e. * \u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003esobering and compelling\u003c\/b\u003e portrait of Gypsy life that is written by an insider. * \u003ci\u003eThe National\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBest memoir since \u003ci\u003eRunning with Scissors\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e * \u003ci\u003eAttitude\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTouching, insightful, funny and incredibly shocking\u003c\/b\u003e **** * \u003ci\u003eHEAT\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eThis is a\u003cb\u003e wonderfully readable\u003c\/b\u003e tale of love, abuse, and eventual escape - all lived in the heart of an English Gypsy family.  The father is one of the most frightening figures I've encountered in years. * Edmund White, author of \u003ci\u003eA Boy's Own Story\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eThe earthy, violent, funny memoir of a gypsy boy in England. It's \u003cb\u003eabsolutely riveting, un-put-downable\u003c\/b\u003e. * Anne Lamott, \u003ci\u003eThe Miami Herald\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eGypsy Boy\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ea brilliant but bittersweet story\u003c\/b\u003e, which reads like a magical fairytale. Although he could be excused for doing so, Mikey never descends into self pity - and has found\u003cb\u003e the perfect balance between humour and harsh reality\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003ci\u003eGypsy Boy\u003c\/i\u003e sits somewhere between the grittiness of Irvine Welsh, and the charming warmth of Frank McCourt. * Dermot O'Leary *\u003cbr\u003eExplosive, sparkling and hugely entertaining - this is \u003cb\u003ea twisted fairytale from a truly original mind\u003c\/b\u003e * Hayley Atwell, star of \u003ci\u003eAgent Carter\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCaptain America\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eHe's \u003cb\u003ean irresistible guide through this secret world\u003c\/b\u003e, and the tour is strongly recommended. * \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eMikey Walsh's memoirs were an unexpected smash hit last year and the audiobook version is every bit as enjoyable. * \u003ci\u003eHEAT\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eGypsy Boy tells the poignant story of a boy living in an unusual and secretive environment of shoplifting, boxing, and virtual illiteracy, a boy who desperately wants to please his abusive father but all the while grapples with his own clandestine issues. This extraordinary memoir about resilience and the human spirit is a rare glimpse into a world few of us can imagine * \u003ci\u003eThe Advocate\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e'Absolutely can't be missed. If you're up for a funny, brutal, sharp memoir, this is the book you want.' * \u003ci\u003eThe Washington Blade\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e'Harrowing ... exposes disturbing connections between culture and abuse.' * \u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e'An inside look at the Gypsy world through the eyes of a Gypsy.... Read this book, and you'll never look at, or think of, a Gypsy in the same way.' * \u003ci\u003eThe Washington Times\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eThis stunning childhood memoir takes readers into the insular culture of Romany Gypsies. ... It is astounding that Walsh survived such brutality, without emotional support or formal education, to pen this unflinching but oddly generous memoir, demonstrating a respectful attitude toward Romany culture and affection toward his family * \u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003epoignant\u003c\/b\u003e memoir that bears comparison to the bestselling \u003ci\u003eRunning With Scissors\u003c\/i\u003e--but better written and far darker. * \u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e'Reading \u003ci\u003eGypsy Boy\u003c\/i\u003e, I felt invited into a secret society. I've always found Gypsies mysterious and even slightly dangerous, and Mikey Walsh does an excellent job describing the cloistered lifestyle and fascinating traditions of the Romany people. Moreover, Mikey's personal story of being a misfit among misfits is both compelling and universal. I cheered for him every step of the way.' * Julia Scheeres, author of \u003ci\u003eJesus Land\u003c\/i\u003e *\u003cbr\u003e'Mikey Walsh provides an unsentimental and compelling look at the louche and brutal culture of Romany Gypsies in the U.K. ... Walsh analyzes the grotesqueries of Gypsy life in painful detail--garish trailers, stifling family ties, crime and crudeness, and the constricted options for women who are considered old maids at 21. Yet despite his gruesome experiences, he also praises the fierce loyalty and cultural continuity that have allowed Gypsies to maintain their dignity in the face of hatred for centuries.' * \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e *","brand":"Hodder \u0026 Stoughton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48733626007895,"sku":"9780340977989","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780340977989.jpg?v=1720000905","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/gypsy-boy-9780340977989","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}