If You Can't Take a Joke....

This extraordinary memoir will transport you back to the 1960s in 'Troubled' Belfast and you'll join the author on his tragically absurd journey through an inadequate and cruel welfare system to his salvation in the Royal Navy. Part 1, a childhood story of depravity, abuse and incarceration is almost Dickensian, but penned with an distinctive Irish dry humour. It will have you feeling sorry for little Johnny, while laughing uncomfortably out loud. Following his 'escape' from Ireland, Part 2 documents his adventures and misadventures as a young adult, when he shrugs off his childhood disadvantages and joins the Royal Navy as a fresh-faced 16 year-old. There are mistakes and mishaps aplenty and, given his childhood story, the occasional rift with authority. A simple story of the growing confidence and ambition of a young Irishman shouldn't be this funny, but you'll be laughing out loud and cheering him on as young Johnny overcomes and flourishes. This is such a bloody good read .. earnest, funny, superbly written..focusing on the humour of life's tough times rather than the negative connotations... Horrifying? Yes, the story of childhood neglect, balanced well with his fist naval cruise and the Navy training and shipboard life. I hope for a sequel, a good man will always rise. This is an excellent read. I usually fall asleep reading, but not in this case. I couldn't put it down. One minute I was chuckling out loud and the next I had a lump in my throat.