"Go on, say "T''ree tins of turpentine!", you bogtrotter!" was one of many jeers towards Irish families settling in Leicester in the 1950s, and is the inspiration behind the title of Tim O''Sullivan''s debut book.
In 2008, after realising he was the family storyteller at Christmas gatherings, weddings and wakes, O''Sullivan picked up a dictaphone and began verbally recording his memories. Originally a passion project destined to be read by the wider O''Sullivan family, Tim was inspired by his son, Ryan, to publish his memoir.
While this book has a personal pull for present and future descendants of the O''Sullivan family looking to learn about their ancestors, this memoir has a definite wide appeal.
O''Sullivan''s anecdotal accounts give harrowing and humorous insights into life as a marginalised child in the 1950s. Born to a dirt-poor Irish mother, O''Sullivan weaves rich tales of living in extreme poverty on the unforgiving pre-fab Mowmacre Hill council estate. This book will strike a chord with baby boomers and entertain any reader looking for first-hand nostalgic recollections of post-war, poverty-stricken Britain.
From narrowly avoiding sexual abuse at a children''s home, becoming a teenage father and enduring two prison sentences, O''Sullivan''s life is a rich jigsaw of highs, lows an
