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Gypsy Boy is about a young Romany Gypsy who was born into a closeted and very proud community. Growing up, he didn't really attend school,he seldom mixed with non-gypsies but although Mikey inherited a vibrant and loyal culture, his family's legacy was bittersweet with a hidden history of grief and abuse. Abuse plays a MASSIVE part in this book as Mikey has been abused by his father and uncle ever since he was four. His fathers family are well known for they're victory in bare knuckle fighting,and his father was expecting him to make him proud and become a champion in the sport,however, the young boy was never the 'rough type'. Deep down his father was aware of this but his pride wouldn't allow him to except the fact 'tis the reason for why his father would abuse Mikey everyday in hope that one day the boy would be like the rest of his 'tough' cousins.His father would embarrass the young boy publicly buy hitting him with his belt and using a power hose to spray him.Naked. In the caravan camp in front of everyone as a punishment for not being man enough.
That was just a snippet of the beginning of the book. Throughout the whole thing, every chapter, every page and every sentence hit me with various emotions. Its breath taking and is worth having a read.
Interested? Michael Buerk talks to Mikey Walsh in an interview about the book - Click Here
