Customer Reviews

Gypsy Boy: One Boy's Struggle to Escape from a Secret World

5 star:		(177)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Gypsy Boy is my book of the year, and I would urge everyone to read it. It's the autobiographical story of Mikey Walsh, a boy growing up as a Romany Gypsy during the 80s and 90s. The pictures he paints of life in the camps, the Gypsy culture, and the Gypsy characters who had a major impact on his life (as they're not allowed to socialise with Gorgias - non-Gypsies) are stunningly vivid, conjuring in few words a real sense of place, so that as you read it's as if you can see and smell the places he describes, and as if you're watching the events unfold. Walsh uses a beautiful, lyrical narrative style, but never at the expense of clarity.

The early chapters about his birth and infancy leave his relatives to tell the story, and it helps to establish his mother and sister; as well as set up the major driving force of the narrative - his father's expectations for him. A prize-fighter himself, his father requires Mikey to carry on the line of well-respected Walshes, but it's clear from his first boxing lessons as a young child that he's never going to measure up and grow into the tough, fierce man that's required of him. Without any trace of self-pity, Walsh unflinchingly describes a childhood of horrendous physical, and even sexual abuse; but through using moments of tenderness and wit, he injects humour and pathos in equal measure, as he crafts a captivating story about a boy growing up and trying to fit in with the demands of his culture and satisfy his father's sense of honour. From the passages about his time at school, to the distance that grew between him and his sister, to the hopes he had for the future, Walsh carries you along with the power of his story-telling, and I found myself speeding up the pace of my reading, I was so keen to find out what happened next.

Gypsy Boy made me laugh out loud frequently. It also made me cry. Sometimes both within the space of a page. My only regret is that I read it too quickly instead of forcing myself to savour it, but it's certainly a book I'll return to. It's a brilliant and captivating story about a notoriously secretive and enigmatic race, told with wit and passion, through a stunningly elegant narrative voice. If you read nothing else this year, read Gypsy Boy!

I have just finished this book, I could not put it down, and it has left a lasting impression. Many of the reviews here echo my own feelings and thoughts but one of the things which shone through this autobiography is the courage with which this young gypsy lad endured the horrendous treatment meted out to him. It is hard to believe that some of these things actually happened, and are allowed to happen, in this day and age.

The inner struggles and torments he suffered, trapped in an alien world where all he felt and wanted was inexpressible and unattainable because of tradition and bigotry, would have overwhelmed a lesser soul....and that is why this book is inspirational. It is distressing at times and heart-rending, but it is also full of hope and shows that the human spirit has a huge capacity to win through, and will ultimately survive and conquer.

Your journey with Mikey will bring you tears, laughter, incredulity and hope. You will find it hard to put this book down as you follow him through his torments and struggles. Wherever you are now Mikey, thank you for daring to put pen to paper and share your expeiences with us!

I started reading this book with a knowledge of Gypsy culture, as I have been in contact with a traveller family for the past 3 -4 years, and have to say it's probably one of the most thought provoking and heartbreaking true story I have read in a long long time. I actually think Mikey might be the bravest person ever for actually standing up for what he believes in and having the courage to leave behind all he ever knew. So trust me when I say you NEED to read this book, I wont go into details, so as not to spoil what is an amazing journey in Mikeys young life. Just know that it will stay with you for a long time after you finish it.

This is an amazing peice of writing. It was so easy to read. As soon as it arrived I got stuck in. It is a powerful journey that makes you realise that no matter what you go through you can make it in the end. I am so very proud to know that Mikey has told his story as I know it will help hundreds if not thousands of people who may have or are going through similar upbringing. Blessings to all that read this wonderful book.
Thanks to Mikey you are a true champion.

I can't believe that anyone could rate this with anything less than 5 stars. I was going to say that it was my favorite book of the year but then I realised that it is probably my favorite book ever. I brought it for my holiday and after reading one page I couldn't put it down and now Im ready for my holiday with a case full of books that will never live up to it. I genuinly feel sorry for people that let this book pass them by. I brought it on recommendation and it really did touch my soul. It is a rollercaoster ride of emotions and anyone who thinks this paints gyspies in a bad light couldn't be more wrong. He really could have chosen to go down that road but he hasnt. This is a man that proves that what doesnt kill you makes you stronger. Mikey didn't go to school and he seldom mixed with non-Gypsies and went through so many hard times yet he has written a book which which would be an achievment on its own. You will be shocked, you will probably shed a tear and you will definitly laugh out loud. He never wallows in self pity and is just telling his life story. He has been brave his whole life. He was a brave child and an even braver man.

I'm a difficult reader in terms of what i choose to read and what i like after al and i have to say that this book grab my attention form page one and i couldn't stop reading, finishing the one chapter and feeling thirsty for more and more and as a result i have finished reading the book within 2 days....and now i'm wishing the author to release a new story. Definitely gets a place on the top favourite books of mine and proudly it will hold one of the prominent places on bookcase.

A story that makes you shed a tear and before you even realise you have a big smile on your face again and this goes on and on throughout the whole book, you never get bored. A brave child, becoming a respectable adult through laugh and tears, a story that you can sense the honesty and reality of it on your skin, becoming one with the character(s). I definitely recommend it!

One thing i don't understand is why amazon relates it only with other gay content books. I think is not the right reference. Is about a kid with dreams growing up in a family in which the laws and culture doesn't allow you to dream and think outside the box, everything is pre-set for you but if you have the courage you can overcome and achieve whatever you have dreamed of and more. Is about self determination, human power of mind and soul.

As like some one else who wrote a review I to know Mikey, he is a cousin of mine on is mothers side. Mikey is a hero in my eyes, to come out not only being gay but also writing this book is a true testament to his bravery. It highlights some of the inherited ways to which we were all brought up to live by and believe, however we have to remember this is a book so not all of the information is necessarily true. There is obviously a lot in there to make it good reading. I do know Mikey's farther was very hard on him as yes these beatings did take place. All in all his farther and the whole of his fathers family should be ashamed! This book has only come into light in the traveling community in the past few weeks and to say it has caused a massive rift is an understatement. What I will say is that everyone I have spoken to congratulates Mikey on doing this only the people that have something to hide DO NOT. But please everyone that's reads this book, not all travelers are what they are portrayed to be.

I would go as far to say this is one of the best books i have EVER read. I finished it in two days as i could not put it down.
It truly is an inspirational book it made me laugh and cry it really is very touching and beautifully written. I am so grateful to Mikey for writing this book and sharing his story with us he really is a talented, honest, brave, amazing guy. I have recommended 'Gypsy Boy' to nearly every single person i know and not one person who has read it has been disappointed. BRILLIANT READ!!!

This book affected me and hit me broadside right from the off. Gruelling in parts, it is one of the most compelling and powerful books I have ever read. I struggled on several occasions with its subject, but only because it was so well written and I felt truly invested in it.

I have never been moved to tears by a book before, but Walsh's book had me unashamedly reaching for Kleenex on many occasions. His writing is not all misery-lit, though, and he spices it with some wonderful humour, too. It is in this honesty of pain and good cheer that the book's power lies as it is completely absent of self-pity. I hope this book is a runaway success.

I'm not really a big fan of books but when I heard about Gypsy Boy by Mikey Walsh, I was interested by the plot and reviews I had read. It wasn't until I revieved the book that I realised it was based on true events, which made me really want to read. I won't give too much away about the plot of the story - you'll have to buy it yourself, but some of the events that take place in the book broke my heart and made me weep, yet some made me laugh out loud.

I have to say, this book is the most amazing book I have ever read in my life.

The author, Mikey Walsh is such an inspiration to me. I have added him on the social networking website, Twitter and he is so unbelievably lovely and talks to his followers and replies to their questions.

He deserves all of the praise and love he gets from readers of his book. It is truly, truly an amazing read and I recommend it strongly.