Doherty, Tony
This Man’s Wee Boy: A Memoir of Growing Up in Derry
€16.99
A uniquely-crafted memoir of the author’s early childhood (1967–1972), the third oldest in a working-class Catholic family from the Brandywell in Derry. Written with the authentic voice of a child, this snapshot of his young life unfolds in a series of stories evoking the innocence of childhood, family dynamic and tensions, street friendships and characters, the onset of civil strife, and a family protecting itself from conflict, with CS gas coming in through the door and tracer bullets flying past the windows. The book centres on Tony’s father, Patrick – a legend in his son’s eyes and a man who struggles to raise a family through bitter years of economic inactivity. It beautifully and movingly portrays the relationship between Tony and the father he adores, yet slightly fears, as events, both within the family and on the streets, unfold and fuse together. The burgeoning chaos of conflict finds its way into his life through the death of a friend under an army truck and more horrifically, directly into the Doherty household. Described as ‘a treasure’, it draws the reader into a child’s world, his innocent view of the harsh reality of life and the horrifying events unfolding around him. It has bags of humour and paints a picture of a lost world of children running wild in play, unsupervised by or worried over by adults. The book is also very moving, to the point of provoking tears at the end.
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Description
‘It’s a wonderful memoir. So simple, so truthful and, at the end, so profoundly moving.’ – Jimmy McGovern 'An inspirational memoir. The voice of innocence never slips. I was in awe!' - Sue Leonard Immerse yourself in this uniquely-crafted memoir capturing the early childhood of the author, the third oldest in a working-class Catholic family from the Brandywell in Derry, spanning 1967-1972. Written with the authentic voice of a child, the memoir unfolds through stories that evoke the innocence of childhood, family dynamics, street friendships and the onset of civil strife. Experience the tension of a family shielding itself from conflict, with CS gas seeping through the door and tracer bullets whizzing past the windows. Central to the narrative is Tony's father, Patrick, a legendary figure in his son's eyes, struggling to raise a family amid economic hardship. The memoir beautifully portrays the relationship between Tony and his father, capturing a blend of adoration and fear as their lives intertwine with the chaos outside. Witness the impact of conflict as it enters Tony's world through the tragic death of a friend and the direct intrusion into the Doherty household. Described as 'a treasure,' this memoir draws readers into a child's perspective on the harsh realities of life and the horrors unfolding around him. With touches of humor and a vivid depiction of a lost world where children roamed free, this moving account will captivate and deeply move readers, even to the point of tears.