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Hey Malarek!
Top investigative journalist Victor Malarek had to fight hard to rise in the world--against a violent home life, the mean streets of Montreal, a series of brutal schools for boys.
Hey Malarek! is a fast-paced, riveting account of his childhood and adolescence, of the difficulty of growing up in an abusive household, of petty crime and disproportionate punishment. It chronicles the abuse he suffered growing up with a Ukrainian name in a society dominated by Anglos. It examines the brutal rules of life on the streets, the codes of survival. Above all it presents the true story of an ordinary kid caught in a world of boys homes, social workers, probation officers, and crime.
Hey Malarek! is a true, gritty account of one man's triumph over harsh circumstances.
Hey Malarek! is a fast-paced, riveting account of his childhood and adolescence, of the difficulty of growing up in an abusive household, of petty crime and disproportionate punishment. It chronicles the abuse he suffered growing up with a Ukrainian name in a society dominated by Anglos. It examines the brutal rules of life on the streets, the codes of survival. Above all it presents the true story of an ordinary kid caught in a world of boys homes, social workers, probation officers, and crime.
Hey Malarek! is a true, gritty account of one man's triumph over harsh circumstances.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
About the author
Victor Malarek
18 books28 followersVictor Gregory Malarek is a Canadian journalist and author. Currently, he is a senior reporter for CTV Television's W-FIVE.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 26, 2021
Victor Malarek's story is an amazing first account of what it was like to come-of-age in Montreal's youth protection system in the late 50s and, not only survive it, but overcome significant odds and thrive. If you haven't yet heard of Victor Malarek, be sure to check out the latest movie made about him - "Target Number One". His success is quite something because of where he began and the struggles he survived through as a teen living in The Boys Home of Montreal (i.e. "Weredale"), where various forms of assault and neglect by staff against kids were standard practice.
Malarek describes issues within the youth protection system well. He also describes the role luck plays in a kid's success during and post-system, much of it hanging on which social worker or judge one's case happens to land with. Many of the issues in the youth protection system that Malarek describes continue today, making this book just as relevant to the situations of today's youth as it was to those in the 50s and 60s.
Great read!
Malarek describes issues within the youth protection system well. He also describes the role luck plays in a kid's success during and post-system, much of it hanging on which social worker or judge one's case happens to land with. Many of the issues in the youth protection system that Malarek describes continue today, making this book just as relevant to the situations of today's youth as it was to those in the 50s and 60s.
Great read!
February 2, 2025
Interesting read.
December 22, 2015
A true,no holds barred true story!Brought back many memories!He is so descriptive,and there will be moments when you laugh,moments when you shed a tear!This books shows you,no matter where you come from,what you go through,you can rise above it all with compassion and understanding!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews