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Reviews
It was a revelation. Moving, terrifying, funny and brilliant. I shall never forget it - an amazing achievement
Touching, insightful, funny and incredibly shocking ****
Explosive, sparkling and hugely entertaining - this is a twisted fairytale from a truly original mind
Gypsy Boy is a brilliant but bittersweet story, which reads like a magical fairytale. Although he could be excused for doing so, Mikey never descends into self pity - and has found the perfect balance between humour and harsh reality. Gypsy Boy sits somewhere between the grittiness of Irvine Welsh, and the charming warmth of Frank McCourt.
Best memoir since Running with Scissors
Mikey Walsh's memoirs were an unexpected smash hit last year and the audiobook version is every bit as enjoyable.
Brash and frightening and funny - tonally, think of Frank McCourt meeting Axl Rose.
In this violent yet often comic memoir, Walsh writes of life as an English Gypsy ... Gypsy Boy feels, in all its cocky, awkward affection and anguish, like the real deal.
A poignant memoir that bears comparison to the bestselling Running With Scissors--but better written and far darker.
The earthy, violent, funny memoir of a gypsy boy in England. It's absolutely riveting, un-put-downable.
He's an irresistible guide through this secret world, and the tour is strongly recommended.
Gypsy 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
'Absolutely can't be missed. If you're up for a funny, brutal, sharp memoir, this is the book you want.'
A sobering and compelling portrait of Gypsy life that is written by an insider.
'Harrowing ... exposes disturbing connections between culture and abuse.'
'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.'
This 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
This is a wonderfully readable 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.
'Reading Gypsy Boy, 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.'
'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.'