This book affected me profoundly. I found myself entwined in the authors struggle to separate from a profound family disconnect due to his homosexuality, exacerbated by the strict cultural norms of the Gypsies. As he struggles to establish himself as a person, find love and acceptance,and develop his own path in life he endures extreme poverty, loneliness and many unsavory and untrustworthy characters. He becomes more able to trust his own experiences and beliefs and build a better life. Each experience proves a stepping stone to build better choices and the ability to make better decisions for the future. As time goes along he finds the courage to return to his family and challenge old situations, and even endanger himself to be able to protect other family members, though not being appreciated for it. Mikey Walsh (a pseudonym)leaves us as an amazing person, who is poised for many better things to come. He certainly deserves them! ( )

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 were a bit boring for me.

However, the story is incredibly moving, and the book is a page-turner. I do wish Mikey had found a happier ending, but perhaps he has in the two years since the time that this book ends, and hopefully we will hear from him again with more colorful stories and personal triumphs.

I received this book as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway ARC. ( )

Mikey is de oudste zoon in een traditioneel Engels Roma-zigeunergezin. Zijn vader, die zijn brood verdient aan de verkeerde kant van de wet, wil van zijn eerste zoon een goede bokser en echte macho maken. Maar Mikey is dat niet, hij voelt zich al jong anders en zijn vader mishandelt hem steeds als hij in hem is teleurgesteld. Bijna veertien leert hij Caleb (25) kennen, bij wie hij zijn hart uitstort en die zijn eerste liefde wordt. Als vader na anderhalf jaar de stiekeme relatie ontdekt, lopen de twee samen weg, maar hun relatie is niet bestand tegen jarenlange achtervolging en mishandeling door Mikey’s familie. Toch lukt het hem een nieuw leven op te bouwen en het contact met de familie te herstellen. De onder pseudoniem schrijvende auteur woont in Londen en werkt nu als dramadocent

This is the autobiography of a Romany boy who did not fit into the Romany macho culture because he was gay. As a consequence, he eventually left his family, fleeing from retribution and trying to make it in what was to him a basically foreign culture, though he had spent his whole life in Britain. There was a previous book, Gypsy Boy, that described his life up until he fled. I haven't read that, but this book provided sufficient background and context that it can stand on its own.

It was a coming-of-age story of a person entering two foreign cultures - mainstream working class England and the gay subculture. It was well-written and a fast read. I enjoyed it. ( )