Flying with Cuckoos

by Michael Patrick Clark

Flying with Cuckoos tells the true story of a journey of discovery, as a young and naïve Michael Clark leaves a desperately-unhappy adopted home, to join the armed forces, as a ‘boy apprentice’ before transferring into one of the most ill-disciplined and disreputable units in the British armed forces.

As the story unfolds, we follow his progress; from one-sided battles with school bullies in suburban England, to even-more one-sided battles with the S.A.S. in some of the world’s most dangerous and exotic places; from the jungles of South-East Asia, and the bullet-scarred shacks of Gaddafi’s ‘new’ Libya, through the tragedy of the war in Vietnam, and the hedonistic excess of swinging-sixties Bangkok and Singapore.

Funny, poignant, and at times outrageous, Flying with Cuckoos is a heart-warming story of hope and achievement, and the remarkable journal of a young man’s battle to survive and overcome.

Reviews:

“A genuinely touching story with real laugh out loud moments!!” – Amazon Reviewer

“Captivating, real, tragic and funny” – Amazon Reviewer

“Great book for more mature teenagers and anyone who is being driven mad by them.” – Amazon Reviewer

“a compelling tale of triumph over adversity” – Amazon Reviewer

“A well-written coming of age tale that skirts right up to the edges of believability, but never quite crosses over.” – Amazon Reviewer

Contains adult subject and strong language

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Michael Patrick Clark was born on The Fourth of July 1950.

He spent the first few years of his life in an orphanage, before adoption brought a new home and a change of name.

Michael joined the armed forces as a boy apprentice. He trained in telecommunications, and subsequently transferred to a specialist mobile-communications unit.

Over the ensuing years he travelled the world; living and working in environments as exotic, hostile, and diverse as the Libyan Desert, Europe, the Australian outback, South-East Asia, and Central and South America.

In the late seventies Michael moved into the high-tech industry. He worked predominantly on international consultancy, for U.S. based communications and computer manufacturers, but after twenty-five years in the industry, made the life-changing decision to move to Spain, with his wife Pamela, and write novels.

Since then he has completed the first and last parts of The Etzel Trilogy, The Folks at Fifty-Eight being the first. He has also written Flying with Cuckoos, an amusing and heart-warming account of his journey from the orphanage to special forces: also published by MDB Publishing, and now available from Amazon in both Kindle and paperback format.

Reviews

[Mirrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was a little unsure about this book. The main character is adopted by a family that then emotionally pummels him. They don't want him, don't like him and it is all very clear to everyone except the child in question. When the boy finally figures it out I found myself so deeply frowning upon exactly how long it took that I worried I would completely ignore the more important war-time issues within the story. It turned out I didn't need to be worried.

This is a wonderful story, told with wit and humor, but also with a serious tone. It is the life of one young man, determined to do something with his life when it seems like nothing can be done. Each step of the way he finds struggles and surges on into the next phase of what is. It is a wonderful story of finding yourself, finding your strength and finding what lies beyond, in a future that you never saw coming at the start of your journey.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

a struggle

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel by highly acclaimed author of ‘the folks at fifty-eight’ is another volume to add to an outstanding collection of fiction works that exceed all expectations. This thought-provoking tale takes you on a journey of discovery through the eyes of Michael Clark, who is swept into the world of the British armed forces as a naïve young lad. I was taken on the most incredible journey right across the globe, from humid jungles to war zones in Vietnam and to the lively overcrowded regions of Singapore and Bangkok. Whilst traveling far and wide to different continents and environments, the story unravels to reveal in all its realistic truth what the main character endures and encounters with the army. Sent back in time to the sixties a lot of readers may find this a very touching, nostalgic read or simply fascinating to all who love history and learning about the culture of our past which is accurate. I connected instantly with the main character of Michael and enjoyed looking through his eyes whilst immersed within a most thrilling, exciting storyline that kept me in utter suspense throughout. Full of whit, fast-paced action and drama this is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat gripped until the very end. It was heartwarming and emotive, filled with hope and self-belief that touched my very heart and soul. Here the author has put himself within these pages that paint a most insightful, fascinating and brutally honest picture of the RAF and which is dedicated to all whom have connections with the war. This novel made me both laugh and cry, being something that every individual reader will connect to in their own personal and intimate way. For myself it was the grandfather that I sadly never met who helped to build English plains in the Second World War, who along with many others is recorded in history books and ingrained within those sheets of metal is blood, sweat and memory. I cannot enthuse enough about this author who has produced something so original, poignant and memorable that deserves to be a bestseller and something which I urge both young and old to read.

[Caffeinated Weka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir. It is, for the most part, well written and highly entertaining. I wasn't sure about the first chapter. It painted a dire woe-is-me tale of an boy whose adoptive parents never really loved him and could find nothing but fault in his actions. The hyperbole was golden but, thankfully, the narrative moves on and keeps the opening chapter as background fodder for the setting. A great read.

[Eirian Houpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, although I don't have a lot to say about it. It is well written, a great blend of serious and light-hearted in the right places. A coming of age story set against the background of conflicts of many kinds and battle-wounded landscaped - much like the character himself - the story is both heartwarming and inspirational in the end.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Naomie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting and inspirational

[Chris Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and enjoyable memoir.

[Therese]

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