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A review by ebenelephant
Gypsy Boy by Mikey Walsh
This was an absolutely gut-wrenching read, with beautiful glimmers of hope throughout. This was definitly more of a personal memoir than the broader glimpse into Romani life I had perhaps expected, but it was pulled of so well that I didn't find myself minding. The writing style is straight to the point, with nuggets of humour and insight thrown in to waylay the pressing tragedy of its content.
The story presented is not easy to get through, not in its complexity but simply in the emotional toll it takes as Walsh describes life growing up, abused, mistreated, and still loving those who hurt him.
I don't think that this memoir should be taken as a face-value representation of all of Romani culture, or even just British Romani, but if you are someone who is interested in learning more about the community then this will offer you a frank and even brutal account of one boys experience, doubtlessly shared by many to some degree.
All in all, I would recommend 'Gypsy Boy' not because it is entertaining, or even for the educational factor (although that has merit), but rather simply because I feel it needs to be read.
The story presented is not easy to get through, not in its complexity but simply in the emotional toll it takes as Walsh describes life growing up, abused, mistreated, and still loving those who hurt him.
I don't think that this memoir should be taken as a face-value representation of all of Romani culture, or even just British Romani, but if you are someone who is interested in learning more about the community then this will offer you a frank and even brutal account of one boys experience, doubtlessly shared by many to some degree.
All in all, I would recommend 'Gypsy Boy' not because it is entertaining, or even for the educational factor (although that has merit), but rather simply because I feel it needs to be read.