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  • This Boy

  • Written by: Alan Johnson
  • Narrated by: Alan Johnson
  • Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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This Boy cover art

This Boy

Written by: Alan Johnson
Narrated by: Alan Johnson
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Publisher's Summary

Alan Johnson's childhood was not so much difficult as unusual, particularly for a man who was destined to become Home Secretary. Not in respect of the poverty, which was shared with many of those living in the slums of postwar Britain, but in its transition from two-parent family to single mother and then to no parents at all....

This is essentially the story of two incredible women: Alan's mother, Lily, who battled against poor health, poverty, domestic violence and loneliness to try to ensure a better life for her children; and his sister, Linda, who had to assume an enormous amount of responsibility at a very young age and who fought to keep the family together and out of care when she herself was still only a child.

©2013 Alan Johnson (P)2013 Random House Audiobooks
Historical Military & War Biographies & Memoirs
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Profile Image for Lynn

Not sure how this book ended up in my library, but I’m sure glad it did.

I absolutely love this book. I started listening to it not knowing who Alan Johnson was. I was born in England, but left when I was a kid, so not aware of politics in England. Once I got about halfway through the book, I thought who is this guy? Now I’ve read this book, I have to know how he went from where he was to being an MP. I also MUST find out what happened to his remarkable sister!

His story is amazing. Although there are some very unpleasant things that happened to him as a kid, he never sounds like he’s feeling sorry for himself. Which I find amazing. It makes one realize that their troubles aren’t so bad.

I don’t want this review to sound like this is a dismal story, because it isn’t. I absolutely love this book, I love the narration, I love the flow, I love the story. Now, I have to find the second book! For some reason, it’s not on audible, so I will look elsewhere, because I must know!

It seems like, Allan wanted to be a writer when he was a kid, but it didn’t work out. However, his dream obviously came true later in life.

I would recommend this book. Again, I don’t know how it ended up in my library, but I’m very glad it did.


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