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56th out of 63 books
—
46 voters
Gypsy Boy On The Run
by
Mikey Walsh
Mikey is a Romany Gypsy and grew up living in a caravan on sites across the UK. He adored his family and the rich and vibrant Romany culture he'd inherited. Eventually though he was forced to make a heartbreaking decision - to stay and keep secrets, or escape and find somewhere to finally belong.
But Mikey quickly discovers that life in the outside world isn't all he expect...more
But Mikey quickly discovers that life in the outside world isn't all he expect...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
July 1st 2011
by Hodder & Stoughton
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I was a bit apprehensive starting this sequel to Gypsy Boy so quickly after the first book. The fact that it appeared just about a year after the first one which had unexpectedly turned into a best seller also left me wondering whether Mikey or his publisher simply wanted to exploit what seemed a profitable moment before it might be gone. The first couple of dozen pages do nothing to allay this fear since they are a recap of the first book but then the Walsh takes the story from when he ran away...more
I feel cheated....
I read and loved Mikeys first memoir, and was sure I felt the same about Gypsy Boy On The Run.
However, as I neared the end of this book, something wasn't ringing true. Looking back, it felt more and more like a patchwork of fairy tales and...lies? I don't know, maybe I'm wrong, but something doesn't feel right about this. It all seems a bit iffy. I'm struggling, I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I'm wrong and I kind of hope I am.
Great story though, I can't shake the feel...more
I read and loved Mikeys first memoir, and was sure I felt the same about Gypsy Boy On The Run.
However, as I neared the end of this book, something wasn't ringing true. Looking back, it felt more and more like a patchwork of fairy tales and...lies? I don't know, maybe I'm wrong, but something doesn't feel right about this. It all seems a bit iffy. I'm struggling, I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I'm wrong and I kind of hope I am.
Great story though, I can't shake the feel...more
Gypsy Boy on the Run is one of those biographies you don’t want to believe is true simply because to acknowledge that such terribly sad, horribly awful things happen in the world - let alone to the same person – makes you want to hide under the covers and never come back out. But Mikey Walsh didn’t hide under the covers. Despite all the abuse, heartache and loss, Mikey Walsh has not only found to strength to keep going, but also to share his story.
Mikey was born to a very proud and prominent Gy...more
Mikey was born to a very proud and prominent Gy...more
Formalities, of course, I received this book as a goodreads giveaway.
I am always fascinated to learn about other people's lifestyles, other cultures. I love to compare them to mine, and see how they differ. I believe it's good to know what all is out there, it's not good to be ignorant.
The Gypsy culture, I've never really known much about, I caught a tv show about Gypsy living in New York or someplace, but tv shows you don't know how much is real, and what is played up for viewers.
This book, whi...more
I am always fascinated to learn about other people's lifestyles, other cultures. I love to compare them to mine, and see how they differ. I believe it's good to know what all is out there, it's not good to be ignorant.
The Gypsy culture, I've never really known much about, I caught a tv show about Gypsy living in New York or someplace, but tv shows you don't know how much is real, and what is played up for viewers.
This book, whi...more
Fighting. Beating. Screaming. Drinking More fighting. Fighting with everyone and especially with the Irish Travellers. In all of the above, men, women, and children participate. Big weddings for the lucky ones who find a spouse. Or, old maid sister by 20 years of age made to take care of family. Equal parts love and hate. Not an easy life. After reading the book, I can understand why some people do not like Gypsys. I hoped the book would offer more history. I'll just need to read another to answ...more
Apr 01, 2013
Sarah Behan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013-reading-list
I had hoped this book was a continuation or the story of the happily ever after ending of the last book, but it isn't that and left me as sad as his first book.
My only complaint is the repetition of paragraphs and (seemingly) pages from the first book. For people who didn't read Gypsy Boy, the recapping won't be an issue. Those who haven't read it since its original release may find it less obvious and even helpful. I read both books straight through, so the beginning and a couple of the stories...more
My only complaint is the repetition of paragraphs and (seemingly) pages from the first book. For people who didn't read Gypsy Boy, the recapping won't be an issue. Those who haven't read it since its original release may find it less obvious and even helpful. I read both books straight through, so the beginning and a couple of the stories...more
First off I won an Advanced Reading Copy of this book via a giveaway hosted by Goodreads.
Through Goodreads I have found myself exploring genres I had always considered not to my taste, biographies and autobiographies included. However this is the second autobiography I have won from a giveaway and read. I found myself smiling, laughing, crying, and floundering throughout the narrative of Mikey Walsh's escape from the Romany lifestyle he grew up in. Leaving home is never easy, ask most people and...more
Through Goodreads I have found myself exploring genres I had always considered not to my taste, biographies and autobiographies included. However this is the second autobiography I have won from a giveaway and read. I found myself smiling, laughing, crying, and floundering throughout the narrative of Mikey Walsh's escape from the Romany lifestyle he grew up in. Leaving home is never easy, ask most people and...more
I'd read Mike Walsh's first book, Gypsy Boy and enjoyed it. This second book follows up on his story after his escape from a very abusive home situation, into an only slightly-less-dismal life on his own. At first I,thought I was reading the same book, but the two books have an interesting relationship. , The first books last chapters are a preview of the second book, and the second book's first chapters are an overview of the first book. A bit confusing.
There's something about the writing that...more
There's something about the writing that...more
Ladies and Gentleman, I have just finished reading the advanced reader copy of "Gypsy Boy on the Run." It is a gripping tale of coming of age that is lighthearted, dark, sentimental and most of all, human. When it is released to the public it is a must read for anyone who wants to read about another culture or who is moved by illustration of the human condition. Told in a voice that is so drastically unique, it will keep you reading until you see the inside of the back cover. I highly recommend...more
The follow up to Gypsy Boy, I was unsure about whether or not to read Gypsy Boy On the Run, as the previous book seemed to offer a sense of closure and finality to Mikey's tale, and on paper this more than anything felt like an attempt to squeeze out as much monetary and commercial gain as possible from the story. When I finally did get around to reading it however I was delighted to find that it touched me just as much as the original, if not more so.
Mikey spends a lot of time recapping the ev...more
Mikey spends a lot of time recapping the ev...more
Once again Mikey Walsh draws the reader right in! A lot of people I guess didn't like the idea of him writing under a pseudonym, but if they can't understand why after reading his book then they missed a big part of his story it seems. I admire his bravery, and his courage not only for sharing his story, but for living the life he believes is right for him. He could have shut out who he really is like many other gay gypsies, and traveller men living a lonely life in a trailer by himself, and for...more
Continuing from where I left off in my review of "Gypsy Boy", pretty much... (See that review for general gist of books!)
One of the things I picked up on when reading the first book was that a lot of story was covered very quickly and skirted over towards the end of the book... Well, that has definitely been righted in this follow up. In fact, and perhaps oddly, the last few chapters of the first book are an overview of the whole of the second book pretty much, making it predictable and thus rui...more
One of the things I picked up on when reading the first book was that a lot of story was covered very quickly and skirted over towards the end of the book... Well, that has definitely been righted in this follow up. In fact, and perhaps oddly, the last few chapters of the first book are an overview of the whole of the second book pretty much, making it predictable and thus rui...more
Never have I wanted to shake the hands of the author of a autobiography before....until now.
Gypsy Boy on the Run is without doubt a modern classic in my books. A tale of a boy journeying through the harshest of domestic environments only to find himself truly accepting himself for who he really is.
A book that could hopefully wipe the world of homophobia and spread equality. This will be remembered for all the right reasons in times to come.
Gypsy Boy on the Run is without doubt a modern classic in my books. A tale of a boy journeying through the harshest of domestic environments only to find himself truly accepting himself for who he really is.
A book that could hopefully wipe the world of homophobia and spread equality. This will be remembered for all the right reasons in times to come.
Although the beginning third of this book is very repetitious of the first boy by Walsh, I begrudgingly have to admit I couldn't put the damn thing down once I got the newer material. I'm not sure if it's the writing style, the content or both, but it was a damn good story and although it ends on a bit of an anticlimax I still felt it was worth the read. You don't necessarily have to read Walsh's first book, though it does give a much more detailed background on the day to day life of growing up...more
I came across this book in the supermarket and couldn't put it down. Mikey Walsh is an English Romany Gypsy. He is also a gay man. He describes the insular tight-knit community he comes from, his close but brutal family life, and his escape to wider society. This book is moving, brutal, and ultimately life affirming in Walsh's brave lonely journey, eschewing machismo for manhood.
Enjoyed... a lot of crying... a tough life story and one of those that makes me wonder how much it true and how much is literary embellishment... if it is true, the fact that this young was able to escape the gypsy life and achieve what he has - it is fabulous.. I want to believe he is happy and enjoying continued success.... I certainly believe he deserves it.
I didnt think i would enjoy this as the first book, but i think i enjoyed it more!! How Mikey left the camp with nothing at all amazed me. I would have just sat and creid or ran back home, but he got himself money for rent, a bank account, a birth certificate, and even a placein one of Londons best Drama schools! Mikey Walsh really is an inspiration!!
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
What a heartfelt story. I did not read the first book, Gypsy Boy, but was able to just start reading this one. After years of abuse from a relative he finally gets up the courage to leave his family even though leaving hurt him about as much as the abuse he was receiving. Years go by and he is able to meet his family and finds out the relative that abused him is now doing it to one of his younger brothers and helps to try and stop it. H...more
What a heartfelt story. I did not read the first book, Gypsy Boy, but was able to just start reading this one. After years of abuse from a relative he finally gets up the courage to leave his family even though leaving hurt him about as much as the abuse he was receiving. Years go by and he is able to meet his family and finds out the relative that abused him is now doing it to one of his younger brothers and helps to try and stop it. H...more
Nov 25, 2012
Paulette
added it
I picked this up from someone who had discarded it at an all inclusive resort. I thought it was evidence that I will read anything because I had never heard of the first book, "Gypsy Boy." I learned a lot about Gypsys and dysfunctional behavior! A good one for the pool chair.
It was moving and brought out the most basic of human emotions..... Hatred and Love, in this case at the same time bringing out the complexity that is human beings... In the end all we can work towards is our own happiness....
Having read Gypsy Boy I was really disappointed as the first 40 pages were recapping, almost word for word the 1st book. But after that it became new material and was enjoyed.
Mikey Walsh has lived a hard life- but the boy has tenacity- and a gift for prose. Didn't think I was going to like reading his story as much as I did.
I got this book as a goodreads giveaway and am so glad that I did. I love this book for its honesty on every level and its willingness to wrestle with difficult issues.
This is a book about the extraordinary in the ordinary and about what it takes to love and be true to one's self. I respect the author for his courage and for not trying to over-simplify, but to see and embrace himself and his world as they really are.
Read it! I promise you'll have no regrets.
This is a book about the extraordinary in the ordinary and about what it takes to love and be true to one's self. I respect the author for his courage and for not trying to over-simplify, but to see and embrace himself and his world as they really are.
Read it! I promise you'll have no regrets.
Sometimes you read people's stories and they seem too crazy to be true. I wish this author well and am relieved he was able to escape a cycle of abuse and violence.
Was good to read the follow up as so many questions were unanswered in the first book.
Absolutely amazing. A very inspirational young man.
Read in two days - COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!
Amazing story a must read
I felt like this was very much a letdown after reading Gypsy Boy. Gypsy Boy gives a great insight into the Romany culture whereas I felt that this book was pretty much a tale of several gay relationships. Keeping in mind the very young age of Mikey at the time of the writing of this book and realizing the choices he made very much on his own, some bad and some good is the only reason I bothered to rate this book.
It started good, but it got disappointing after a while...
My rating just dropped from 5 to 3.
My rating just dropped from 5 to 3.
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