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Slum Boy
- A Portrait
- Narrated by: Juano Diaz
- Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
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Slum Boy
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Summary
ONE OF THE MOST MOVING ACCOUNTS OF NON-FICTION EVER WRITTEN ACCORDING TO THE GUARDIAN
'This is a heart-breaking story, beautifully told. I hope it finds a million readers' - Andrew O'Hagan
'What a brave and powerful story. If you like Shuggie Bain and Damian Barr then Slumboy is for you' - Lemn Sissay
'Compulsively readable, it's Dickensian in its rich cast of Glaswegian characters' - Patrick Gale
'SLUM BOY is a remarkable and moving tale of survival' - Times Literary Supplement
John MacDonald must find his mother.
Born into the slums of Glasgow in the late '70s, a 4-year-old John's life is filled with the debris of alcoholism and poverty. Soon after witnessing a drowning, his mother's addictions take over their lives, leaving him starving in their flat, awaiting her return.
A concerned neighbor reports her, and he is forcibly taken away from his mother and placed into the care system. There, he dreams of being reunited with her. His mind is consumed with images and memories he can't process or understand, which his eventual adoptive parents silence out of fear as he grows into a young man within a strict Catholic and Romany Gypsy community.
This memoir is about how John found his way to his true identity, Juano Diaz, and how, against all odds, his unstoppable love for his mother sets him free.
Juano Diaz was awarded the Pride Awards 2024 for LGBTQ+ Heroes Changing the World.
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What listeners say about Slum Boy
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lisatx
- 25-08-24
What a life
Such a beautiful, honest and open story of your life. I listened to the whole book in one day. I’m so glad the ending was positive and you were able to move forward. It gives me hope for my own situation
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Janine
- 06-03-24
Absolutely Amazing Couldn’t Put it down
Such a true heartfelt book! I couldn’t put it down. Brilliantly written and read gutted it finished
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- St3veboy
- 03-03-24
Heart breaking, vivid and truly inspirational
Such a well written book! The narrator describes horrific situations with vivid clarity and delivers his story with graphic detail and raw emotion combined with a touch of humour, it makes the book difficult to put down. An inspiring story of poverty, neglect, abuse and survival. Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Patricia mcnamee
- 01-03-24
all of it
this young boy was my daughters friend and I was friendly with his adoptive parents such a lovely family all round
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- russell
- 11-03-24
Amazing
This book is probably one of the best books I’ve ever listened to. The story is amazing and heartfelt, the audio version also brings it to life with the real Scottish accent. I would recommend this book to anyone. It really is fantastic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- sylvia
- 27-06-24
Beautifully read by the author
At first I struggled to understand the accent, English is not my mother tongue and the Glasgow accent was difficult to decode But it also made me to listen more and now I came to the end of this beautiful book I miss the author calm pace, the different voices portraying some of the characters. I cried, I smiled, my heart exploded around chapter 8 and 9....I loved reading it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- doodle
- 30-03-24
For fans of Shuggie Bain.
This is a beautiful, yet harrowing tale about a young boy’s search for belonging. Brought to life through the voice of the author, Young John/ Juano will stay with you long after listening to his story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs Victoria Jansen
- 20-04-24
beautifully written and narrated
this is a harrowing story that had me gripped the whole way through. the fact that it is a biography makes it even more compelling. it is beautifully written, taking you into John's world. I finished this book getting home, privileged and grateful for my childhood and love. That John has achieved what he has and the success he has is nothing short of amazing, and a true example of resilience. thank you.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Felicity Johnson
- 29-08-24
So moving
The harsh realities of a fractured childhood portrayed with humility and tenderness by the author, one which will play on my mind long after it’s over.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JM
- 30-08-24
Moving and rewarding.
Beautifully read by the author. Moving, reflective and ultimate illustration of how life experiences can shape but not always define your path.
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