Our Kid

The Hopkins Family Saga #3

by Billy Hopkins

It was on a Sunday night in 1928 that Billy Hopkins made his first appearance. Billy's tenement home on the outskirts of Manchester would be considered a slum today, but he lived there happily with his large Catholic family, hatching money-making schemes with his friends. This book recalls an upbringing and an environment now vanished.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

AAARgh! I hope this doesn't go on long! 6 year old kids DON'T talk like that and it grates something 'orrid. If we must have the cut explained and the bone factory and sheep's heads for dinner then talk to the reader from the narrator, don't do it through 6 year olds who DON'T talk like that! Hopefully it doesn't go on like that for long.

I did finally abandon it and donated the book to IKEA's save the children book collection. I really couldn't face picking it up again.

[Suranjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of my favourite quotes from the book:

*"Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never! In nothing- great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield!" - Speech Churchill gave to the boys of Harrow School.

*'Give it to me the life I love,
Let the lave go by me.
Bed in the bush, with stars to see,
Bread I dip in the river.
There's th life for a man like me.
There's the life forever.'

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was priceless took me back to lancashire reminded me of childhood the sayings and just how simple life was made me laugh made me cry

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful tale of growing up in the north of England. Beautifully written and great holding power until the end of the book!

[Stephen Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this is a semi-autobiographical novel or a fictionalised autobiography, but whatever it is, I found it very interesting. A few years ago I re-read A Touch of Daniel, which gives a picture of urban Lancashire life in the 1960s, and this book does much the same thing for the 1930s and 1940s.

Worse than the ordinary, miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood.

A saying attributed to Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes. Lancashire is not far from Ireland, but this Lancashire Catholic childhood, though it had its ups and downs, does not seem to have been quite as miserable as the Irish variety, and the miserable bits are balanced by joy and good humour.

At one point the author was encouraged by a teacher to keep a diary, and perhaps drew on that for some of the material in this story, but I suspect that much of the dialogue was made up later, because there are a number of anachronisms. At one point one of the characters uses the simile of a hamster running in an activity wheel, but I think that at that time, about 1945, hamsters were probably unknown as pets. I recall seeing them advertised in magazines like Popular Mechanics in the 1950s, when they were clearly regarded as a novelty, and it was assumed that most people would be unfamiliar with them.

That is where [book:A Touch of Daniel} probably gives a truer picture at least of the language that was current at the time. Trying to recall dialogue even of a period you have lived through, is not so easy. But it still for the most part reads naturally.

I picked up the book from the library mainly because some of my ancestors came from Lancashire, though they lived about 80-90 years earlier, but the book still gives a feel for the places where they lived.

[Roz Radmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part fiction , part autobiography this is the story of Billy Hopkins , from his birth , childhood and growing up in Manchester in the 1930's . Living in what would now be termed a slum Billy lived with his large Catholic family . He was a happy go lucky lad with many friends . Having little or no money he was always scheming and plotting how to raise money . Then the war arrived and life changed for everyone .
Billy was evacuated to Blackpool,life would be full of sea and sand! Wrong ! Life would be full of hardship and hunger.
A nostalgic , sometimes funny , sometimes sad look at a way of life long since passed

[Mac.Hawk · Rating 3 out of 5]

It a safe, twee, simplistic and (I believe) autobiographical tale of a child living through the 1930's & 1940's in the Manchester area. Has humour throughout the book but more in the way that you'll smile rather that laugh at - it just feels a little old fashioned - maybe that's not such a bad thing. I believe there are prequels & sequels to this book

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book full of great characters and believable experiences. Beautifully written with a style sufficiently authentic to be believable but without being filled with cliches of the "grim up north" variety.

I will certainly be seeking out the others in the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful read! I read this whilst on holiday and found it such a brilliant story! Would suggest this to anyone!

[Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It´s on my list of to re-read books!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Beautifully written with an engaging sense of humour.

[Sharon Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it, and went looking for this after reading Kate's Story first. Fantastic book for anyone with Lancashire connections!!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. Takes you though Billy's early life without the usual focus on how dreadful it is but with balance.

[mrs c tolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real Lanky lad.

A book that initially I thought a bit too simply constructed but after just a few pages gripped me like pliers. This gentleman has been there and done it in a 1930s Manchester at war. I'm of a later generation but I recognised a great deal of BIllys situations from my own families stories and experiences. Undoubtedly a great guy who we now know made the grade as a writer. Thankfully!

[colin]

love this book

Brilliant I found impossible to put down . When I was a kid I lived I Godley near Hyde went work in King st Manchester and I got to know the Smithfield area Cheatham hill rd area + Tibb street. I have a love hiking and spent many hours on Kinder scout. I now live in Fleetwood just next to Blackpool so I could really felt I could immerse myself in this book,can’t wait to start the next one in the series Kate’s story

[joshua cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long lost era of how great Britain used to be as the character matures from all the tides and tribulations of World War Two. It will hit a soft spot for anyone truely British that should remind them of our justly retribution and the personal tolls it took to achieve.

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

This was a really good read and I could not put it down. Every time I had a spare minute I was picking it up and reading it. Thoroughly recommend this book.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this repeatedly as a child and absolutely loved it. Would highly recommend

[Violet Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous and sad thoroughly enjoyed Billy’s childhood.

[Sammi Heslop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It brought my mother’s war experience to life for me. The characters were well written.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book having found out that I am related to the author, with Billy’s mother Catherine being a great auntie of mine.

It gives a raw account of life in working class Manchester in the early 1900’s, and is set in places I visit to this day.

I really enjoyed it.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far the best and highly recommend, but The whole series is definitely worth a read.

[Ann]

This book was brill. Once I started I had to Finnish it. Get this book and read it. Enjoy!!!!

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book, loved it