Items related to This Boy
Alan Johnson's childhood was not so much difficult as unusual, particularly for a man who was destined to become Home Secretary. Not in respect of the poverty, which was shared with many of those living in the slums of post-war Britain, but in its transition from two-parent family to single mother and then to no parents at all...
This is essentially the story of two incredible women: Alan's mother, Lily, who battled against poor health, poverty, domestic violence and loneliness to try to ensure a better life for her children; and his sister, Linda, who had to assume an enormous amount of responsibility at a very young age and who fought to keep the family together and out of care when she herself was still only a child.
Played out against the background of a vanishing community living in condemned housing, the story moves from post-war austerity in pre-gentrified Notting Hill, through the race riots, school on the Kings Road, Chelsea in the Swinging 60s, to the rock-and-roll years, making a record in Denmark Street and becoming a husband and father whilst still in his teens.
This Boy is one man’s story, but it is also a story of England and the West London slums which are so hard to imagine in the capital today. No matter how harsh the details, Alan Johnson writes with a spirit of generous acceptance, of humour and openness which makes his book anything but a grim catalogue of miseries.
This is essentially the story of two incredible women: Alan's mother, Lily, who battled against poor health, poverty, domestic violence and loneliness to try to ensure a better life for her children; and his sister, Linda, who had to assume an enormous amount of responsibility at a very young age and who fought to keep the family together and out of care when she herself was still only a child.
Played out against the background of a vanishing community living in condemned housing, the story moves from post-war austerity in pre-gentrified Notting Hill, through the race riots, school on the Kings Road, Chelsea in the Swinging 60s, to the rock-and-roll years, making a record in Denmark Street and becoming a husband and father whilst still in his teens.
This Boy is one man’s story, but it is also a story of England and the West London slums which are so hard to imagine in the capital today. No matter how harsh the details, Alan Johnson writes with a spirit of generous acceptance, of humour and openness which makes his book anything but a grim catalogue of miseries.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"the best memoir by a politician you will ever read" (Philip Collins The Times)
"a poignant memoir...Johnson writes wonderfully" (Mary Kenny Telegraph)
"deeply moving and unforgettable" (Lynn Barber Sunday Times)
"a handsome and eloquent tribute" (Peter Wilby Guardian)
"beautifully, beautifully written... his style is utterly simple, with a wit so understated that every reader will believe that he or she alone got it" (John Rentoul Independent on Sunday)
"Neither mawkish nor sentimental, it is an evocative, filmic account on an early childhood... would make a fabulous drama that, for all its squalor, lifts the spirits" (Judith Woods Daily Telegraph)
"a testament to the power of family love and a tribute to two strong women" (Ian Birrell Daily Mail)
"Wonderful and moving... unreadable with a dry eye" (The Times)
"the biography of a politician like no other - beautifully observed, humorous, moving, uplifting; told with a dry self-deprecating wit and not a trace of self-pity" (Chris Mullin Observer)
"No ordinary politician's memoir ... wonderful." (John Grimond The Spectator)
Book Description:
"a poignant memoir...Johnson writes wonderfully" (Mary Kenny Telegraph)
"deeply moving and unforgettable" (Lynn Barber Sunday Times)
"a handsome and eloquent tribute" (Peter Wilby Guardian)
"beautifully, beautifully written... his style is utterly simple, with a wit so understated that every reader will believe that he or she alone got it" (John Rentoul Independent on Sunday)
"Neither mawkish nor sentimental, it is an evocative, filmic account on an early childhood... would make a fabulous drama that, for all its squalor, lifts the spirits" (Judith Woods Daily Telegraph)
"a testament to the power of family love and a tribute to two strong women" (Ian Birrell Daily Mail)
"Wonderful and moving... unreadable with a dry eye" (The Times)
"the biography of a politician like no other - beautifully observed, humorous, moving, uplifting; told with a dry self-deprecating wit and not a trace of self-pity" (Chris Mullin Observer)
"No ordinary politician's memoir ... wonderful." (John Grimond The Spectator)
Winner of the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize 2014
Winner of the Orwell Prize 2014
Winner of the Orwell Prize 2014
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherUlverscroft Ltd
- Publication date2015
- ISBN 10 1444823469
- ISBN 13 9781444823462
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages328
- Rating
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781444823462
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ISBN 13: 9781444823462
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Book Description hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Bumped edges. Slight scratches to cover. Sun Damage to edge of pages. Slightly warped. Appears unread, may have minor damage from transit/storage. Next day dispatch from the UK (Mon-Fri). Please contact us with any queries. Seller Inventory # mon0000622936
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