No Easy Road [Kindle Edition]

I found this book being recommended on a forum and when I read the product description thought it sounded fascinating and moving. This book is the author's debut autobiography (apparently a second book continuing her story is planned) and tells of how she was taken from her traveller family at a young age, and details her experiences in childrens' homes and hostels. Not only does she have to contend with the cruel, detached house mother but also the negative attention her family's reputation brings. She gets herself removed from care at 15 and struggles to live without a family or the state supporting her. At the end she has reached 16 and we find out a litte about what happens to her later in life in the epilogue.

Firstly I ought to say I have tremendous respect for the author, it must have taken a lot of courage to dredge up most of these memories and then share them with the public. I found the early part of the book very moving and cannot imagine how life must have been for young children growing up without love and affection in an institution. I think having a young daughter myself made it really hit home. I was also interested in reading about Patsy's visions of spirits, but felt that after the theme was introduced it was never really developed.

Unfortunately I went into this book expecting something it wasn't largely because of the product description, "She rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful and the poorest in the land, and drifted into a world of violence, prostitution and drugs which almost claimed her life." All these elements played a part in her life but this statement lead me to expect something different, it almost makes it sound like she fell into the underworld when in fact she was a young woman who struggled to keep a job and a roof above her head and was subjected to domestic violence. It doesn't make the story bad, just not what I thought it would be.

Overall it was an eye-opening account of a woman who was failed by the system, but I found the writing style a bit too much "tell" and while I don't doubt some of the incidents must have been very painful to recount, to me the way some incidents were written meant they weren't entirely clear, leaving me a little confused as to what had actually happened. On the kindle every page had big spaces between paragraphs, and the paragraphs themselves were short and staccato leaving a lot of (off) white space. The snappy telling worked at the beginning, because it seemed to fit with how a young child might feel in such distressing circumstances but didn't sit comfortably with me later on. I had expected it to make me quite emotional but it was all quite matter of fact and didn't have quite the impact I thought it might. I'm afraid this isn't a book I would readily recommend (and as this is an autobiography I feel terrible saying that)

How Patsy Whyte came through this & out the other side i'll never know.

I found this book via KUF, purchased & then sat down all day & night & into the next morning reading it, ignoring everything else around me.

You hear stories of the care system today, but my God, nothing could be as painful & challenging as that of being in care in the 50's & 60's. My eyes welled with tears more than once through this book.

My heart went out to this child & others mentioned in her story & she told of the harsh rules & cruelty {especially the mental cruelty} that was dished out by the "house mothers".

The fear & confusion must have been tremendous for these children, adding to that being split from your siblings at such a young age & not knowing where they are or knowing who they are.

There are some times in this childs life in care that she see's as good ones, happy ones, hopeful ones & i'm glad she managed to feel some of this, but lurking in the background was always a tragic case of metal abuse & intimidation.

I cannot say i loved this book, how could you read this & love it, but you love the child & you want to hopelesly comfort her.
You'll put your hand over your mouth & feel your'e spine go cold on many a page.

It is extremely well written & i would recommend to anyone.

My heart goes out to you Patsy Whyte, not only for you as a child, but for having the courage to re-live this when writing.
At the end of your book you say there were a further eight years, two marriges & five children later before you found your partner of 30 years. I am so glad you finally found love & you're life is more settled & even though there are still ups & downs you no longer walk alone.

I almost feel ashamed to ask if you will be turning to the past once again & writing of those eight years, as i would like to read further into this young girls life.

A definate 5 star plus read!

I really tried with this book but just didn't get what she was writing about. I am sorry she did not get the up bringing that most people endure but really didn't think it was anything to write a book about. I did feel guilty for not finding anything humble about this book even though I perservered with it until the end. Would not recommend this book.