Criminal
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Review
'An extraordinary autobiography. Vibrantly written with one of the most compelling characters in Caspar's father that I've come across in a long time. It's a masterful portrayal of the two sides of a man and demonstrayes with absolute clarity how confusing love can be within an abusive relationship'
(Minette Walters )'This is a fine, unsparing book... If you want to understand why our prisons are bulging, and where some hope for the future may lie, read this book. Caspar strips his own life back to the bone'
(Helen Dunmore )'A surprisingly touching, beautifully written tale... While peppered with hair-raising accounts of scrapes with the cops, violence and abuse, Criminal never loses its sense of optimism'
(News of the World )Review
'An extraordinary autobiography. Vibrantly written with one of the most compelling characters in Caspar's father that I've come across in a long time. It's a masterful portrayal of the two sides of a man and demonstrayes with absolute clarity how confusing love can be within an abusive relationship' -- Minette Walters 'This is a fine, unsparing book... If you want to understand why our prisons are bulging, and where some hope for the future may lie, read this book. Caspar strips his own life back to the bone' -- Helen Dunmore 'A surprisingly touching, beautifully written tale... While peppered with hair-raising accounts of scrapes with the cops, violence and abuse, Criminal never loses its sense of optimism' -- News of the World
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This true story of a terrible childhood makes compelling reading. I am amazed that Caspar Walsh survived it all and has come through it without bitterness. The book is beautifully written, shocking and uncomfortable to read at times but I couldn't put it down and would thoroughly recommend it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A deeply impressive book with well-rounded and articulate characters. Reads like good fiction and is all the more horrific, at times, for it. There is a brutal honesty that sometimes struck me as being unnecessary. However, much of the book is obviously born out of therapy and what you get is the real deal. Highly recommended. Deserves a wide readership.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I came across this book by chance after reading an article in the Guardian about Summerhill - the experimental school in East Anglia where children are allowed to make their own rules. Intriguingly, Caspar Walsh was quoted at length as one of the few people to have been expelled from the most free-range educational establishment in Britain. When I read his book, I understood why.
Raised into a life of crime and drug addiction by his charismatic father, Caspar looked destined to follow him to jail. Using sparse, compelling language he lays out his gradual descent into depression and addictive behaviour, all of it on some level fuelled by the search for love and approval by the man who should have been shielding him from danger rather than exposing him to it. It's searingly honest stuff, addictively readable without ever wallowing in the wrongs that have been done to him. Indeed, as the book goes on I found a deep respect for a man who has evidently learned to take responsibility - and turn a very rough start into a life-changing mission to other young offenders.
If anything, I felt the book ended too soon. I could gladly have read much more about the psychological process by which Caspar has learned to overcome his demons, as I think many of us (particularly men) would benefit hugely from his wisdom. I know that Caspar Walsh now does superb work giving imprisoned men the kind of mentoring and support he sorely lacked. Perhaps scope for a follow up book, unpacking some of those themes? I'd buy it in a flash.
So thankyou Caspar for tapping into a lot of pain for the ultimate enlightenment of others. This is both a wonderful book and an unflinching act of generosity and courage.
Raised into a life of crime and drug addiction by his charismatic father, Caspar looked destined to follow him to jail. Using sparse, compelling language he lays out his gradual descent into depression and addictive behaviour, all of it on some level fuelled by the search for love and approval by the man who should have been shielding him from danger rather than exposing him to it. It's searingly honest stuff, addictively readable without ever wallowing in the wrongs that have been done to him. Indeed, as the book goes on I found a deep respect for a man who has evidently learned to take responsibility - and turn a very rough start into a life-changing mission to other young offenders.
If anything, I felt the book ended too soon. I could gladly have read much more about the psychological process by which Caspar has learned to overcome his demons, as I think many of us (particularly men) would benefit hugely from his wisdom. I know that Caspar Walsh now does superb work giving imprisoned men the kind of mentoring and support he sorely lacked. Perhaps scope for a follow up book, unpacking some of those themes? I'd buy it in a flash.
So thankyou Caspar for tapping into a lot of pain for the ultimate enlightenment of others. This is both a wonderful book and an unflinching act of generosity and courage.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
How easy
And how almost accidental it can be for a child to end up as a drug addict.
Despite the drugs around him Caspar tells his story in a waywhich shows the amount of love... Read more
Despite the drugs around him Caspar tells his story in a waywhich shows the amount of love... Read more
Published 1 month ago by karen bennett
Amazing book - very gripping
I ended up buying this book when I was looking to buy another book on amazon as another customer said it was one of the best books they had ever read and they were right. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Faymous
Brilliant!
Read this while on holiday a few year back, absolutely excellent book. Tells the real story behind drugs and crime within the UK. Brilliantly wrote, brilliantly entertaining.... Read more
Published 12 months ago by StevenRankin
Brilliant read
Criminal is a gripping true story of how a young boy becomes hooked on drugs due to his fathers criminal way of life in consuming and dealing in drugs - I love true stories and... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Richard
Shocking story excellently written
This is the fascinating story of a boy born into a life of drugs and crime which he becomes personally involved in from an unusually young age thanks to his unconventional criminal... Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2009 by Chelli
Stunningly honest
I couldn't put this down and finished it in just three days.
Anyone who believes that drugs and "heroin-chic" are glamorous, should read this to see what it's actually like to... Read more
Anyone who believes that drugs and "heroin-chic" are glamorous, should read this to see what it's actually like to... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by D. Smith
Brutally honest
Brutally honest (which makes a change) biography in which Casper, without frills, writes about his life journey that includes drugs and incarceration. Read more
Published on 22 May 2008 by Matthew Davis
Not just another autobiography!
This is an honest insight into the authors life. It is an inspiring, challenging and gripping read. Written in a superb manner which holds your attention right down to the last... Read more
Published on 19 May 2008 by Mrs. C. A. Sinclair
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