Гореща кръв

by Roxy Freeman

Живот на свобода. Време на тайни.
Родената през 1979 г. Рокси Фрийман израства по пътищата на Ирландия и Англия в традиционен, теглен от коне, фургон с майка си, баща си, брат си и петте си сестри. Животът им е труден, но децата растат свободни и в хармония с природата. Рокси не ходи на училище, но още преди да навърши десет години вече може да издои коза, да язди кон и да приготви вечеря за цялото семейство на открит огън. Ранното й детство е идилично, но когато баща й отвежда семейството в Англия, чергарите се сблъскват с предразсъдъци и враждебност. Рокси става обект на сексуални посегателства от страна на семеен приятел, но пази случващото се в тайна в продължение на години. Един ден обаче тя решава да разкаже на полицията за „чичо Тони“. И властите започват издирването на „най-търсения педофил във Великобритания“, както пишат всички вестници на Острова. Въпреки трудностите, с които се сблъсква, Рокси открива любовта си към фламенкото и танците и изнася представления по целия свят. Прекрасно написаната й история е искрен и интригуващ портрет на живота на жените и момичетата в чергарските общности.

Рокси Фрийман е журналистка на свободна практика и живее в Брайтън. Материалите ѝ са публикувани в множество печатни издания, сред които “The Guardian“, “Daily Mail“, списание “You“ и “Brighton Argus“. Пише предимно по кулинарни теми и за живота и фолклора на циганите.
Друга дейност с която се занимава авторката е създаване на съдаржание за уеб сайтове. Тя има значителен опит и в разработването на маркетинг материали за бюлетини и промоции. В състояние е да превърне и най-сухото копие в увлекателен материал.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Book Club

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2011

About the author

Born to a travelling family in Southern ireland, I started my academic journey later in life than most. My first day in a classroom was at the age of 23, since then I've been playing catch up!

In the spring of 2010 I was given the opportunity to write my memoir. In August 2011 my book: Little Gypsy A Life of Freedom A Time Of Secrets was released.

I wrote my story so people could get a glimpse of a less conventional life, but also to show that even a life disrupted by abuse can be wonderful.

Reviews

[Nina Draganova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Давам такава висока оценка в подкрепа на споделената истинска история на тази жена.
Минала през отвратителни преживявания в своето детство, но не загубила човешкия си облик.
Започнах малко предубедено книгата, по-скоро съм противоположност като начин на живот.Но ми стана интересна и любопитството ме накара да я прочета.
Истински завиждам на хората , които могат да живеят свободни от удобствата на съвременния свят , да не служат на материалните неща и да не са обвързани с места.
Доброволно да се откажеш от цивилизования свят и да се отдадеш на най-простички неща.
Все повече ще ни липсва този живот.

[Ренета Кирова · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Гореща кръв" на Рокси Фрийман е автобиографичен роман. Купих си го, защото мислех, че става дума за танци и най-вече за фламенко, но танци почти нямаше :(. Интересно е написана книгата, но аз не обичам да чета такъв тип романи. Семейството на Рокси са чергари и се местят от Ирландия в Англия, постоянно са на път и живеят на открито. Майката е от богато семейство, но решава да води такъв оскъден живот със своя циганин. Нямат вода, ток или битови условия в караваната. Семейството се състои от 9 деца, две от които умират. Най-лошото на такъв начин на живот е, че те са наивни и доверчиви, децата не ходят на училище и трудно разграничават лошотията в другите. Поради доверчивостта си, Рокси често е използвана и преживява много трудни моменти. Такива хора свикват на такъв начин на живот, не познават нищо друго или не успяват да се адаптират в други условия. Общо взето това беше интересното, че е разказано от тяхна гледна точка и че те не се чувстват нещастни от този начин на живот. Но накрая Рокси разбира, че образованието е важно и успява да се реализира в обществото. Трудно е да се измъкнеш от такъв начин на живот, но тя успява да се съхрани и да изплува.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always found that moving away from one’s comfort zone every once in a while is good for the soul, it allows you to challenge yourself and grow not only as a person but as a reader – at least I think it does – and that can only be a good thing. Books – for me - are all about discovering new things, learning about past lives, history and being thoroughly entertained – whether a crime novel, a historical drama or an autobiography – by a cornucopia of words the author deems fit to share with his or her readers.

Born in 1979, Roxy Freeman grew up travelling around Ireland and England in a traditional horse-drawn wagon with her mother and father and six siblings. Life was harsh but it was a childhood of freedom spent in harmony with nature. Roxy didn't know her times-tables but she could milk a goat, ride a horse and cook dinner for the whole family on an open fire before she was ten. Early life was idyllic but when her father brought the family to England, they faced prejudice and hostility and Roxy found herself receiving the very unwelcome attentions of a family friend - which she endured in secret. Despite all of the difficulties she faced, she developed a passion for flamenco and traditional music and developed a career as a dancer, which took her around the world. Her beautifully written story is a frank portrait of what life is really like for women and girls of traveller communities.

It would be so easy, when reading the heart wrenching story that Roxy Freeman shares with her readers in Little Gypsy, to fall into the trap of pity, despondence and anger but the overriding emotions I felt when I finished the book were of hope and positivity. Together with a fortitudinous attitude I found compelling to say the least, Roxy shares the highs and extreme lows of a life so colourful I found it hard to put the book down, eager was I to gain an insight into the often scorned and prejudiced life of a Gypsy. Roxy pulls no punches, although having said that she never once sensationalised events others would be all too ready to do so, handling even the harshest of situations with a great deal of sensitivity.

Full review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2011/08/11...

[Lauren (Northern Plunder)]

This review was first posted on Northern Plunder, if you want to see more reviews please click here.

Honestly I'm not sure where to start. I had a lot of trouble with this book due to the fact I have no interest in the outdoors and for a lot of the time throughout the book couldn't really relate to anything, the only part I could relate to was how she felt when studying. With my lack of interest of things I must say that this book is interesting in itself, before hand I didn't know a lot of gypsies/travellers so it was good to know that I was actually learning something whilst reading. Much like the summary gives away, it isn't just about their lifestyle but to the horrors she had to face at such a young age, it certainly was eye opening. Even though I found this book an interesting and eye opening read it just wasn't my cup of tea and I couldn't wait to finish reading it so I could move on, this doesn't mean it's a bad book though. I'm sure many people will find it much better than I did, it's just very different to what I've read in the past and unfortunately, left me unsatisfied.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brighton-based journalist Roxy Freeman's enchanting memoir of her Gypsy childhood. Depicting the highs (and lows) of an unconventional life with a great deal of charm. A welcome antidote to the negative stereotypes about Romany people which pervade the mainstream media.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Gypsy is a lyrical memoir which reads like fiction. Although curious about a travelling lifestyle, this might have passed me by if I hadn’t heard its effervescent author, Roxy Freeman, interviewed first. The cover, with its illustration of the flamenco dancing Roxy outside her horse-drawn caravan, gives little idea of the story’s full gamut of emotions. Tales involving close, but disciplined, family, a playground of moss and a fervent belief in fairies, rub shoulders with a childhood burdened with sexual abuse.
Roxy talks with such fondness and enthusiasm for her unencumbered upbringing that this is far from a sad story. Instead, it’s an uplifting tale of living with nature, eating home-cooked meals around a camp fire and dancing under the stars.
Roxy and her many siblings may have had little schooling but they certainly worked as hard as they played, becoming accomplished farmers, cleaners, cooks, artists and child-carers before the rest of us would have left infant school. Roxy went on to travel the world as a professional flamenco dancer, having started her career in the hands of a sympathetic teacher and her mother’s hand-made costumes. She taught herself to read, gained a Master’s Degree in English and now works as a freelance journalist as well as an author. Roxy shows what can be achieved with few resources and heaps of determination and self-belief.
Every summer a group of travelling families make their temporary home on some land in a nearby village to me, causing much chatter. I’ve always pitied them but asked myself what could be so good to render it worth putting up with the abuse. Little Gypsy has helped me to understand the attraction. Life in a travelling community isn’t an easy alternative but if you’re as tough as Roxy, it is a viable one.

[Sarah Bankes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very moving book. Written from the heart with honesty and compassion. I hope she writes more as her style is really easy and nice. Some parts of the book are sad and emotional but it is far from a misery memoir as the writer has such a lovely outlook.

[Grahamlive · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really is a wonderful read and I recommend it highly. Roxy tells a beautiful and heart-rendingly honest account of her life. Every page just draws you in to a lifestyle you may not be otherwise know. An excellent read indeed.

[S Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book well worth the read massive round of applause for roxy a definate 5 star book

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was all set to just read this book and not really expect too much from it... just regular run of the mill autobiography of someone unknown to me.
Granted, I actually bought this book full price in 2011, where as I usually get my books from charity shops/friends/the library, etc... so I must have had an idea I'd like it. I LOVED it.
I loved the way she wrote so descriptively with love and affection about her childhood and the countryside, and her family.
I loved that she had such a positive, cheerful personality. I loved that she came out of the abuse with a fighting spirit to better herself.
I couldn't put this book down. I feel I know them all! It was great that justice won out and that there was a happy ending.
Now I'm going to see can I follow her on social media! She's an inspiration.

[Rachel Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, it's rare for me to finish a book within 24 hours, but this book was hard to put down. Roxy Freeman has had an incredible and at times painful and difficult life, which makes it an even more compelling story. I have always admired the itinerant way of life, and so for me, this was very readable.

[The Bookmouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) The life on the road, the love of flamenco and the persistence to get an education were the parts of the book I most enjoyed reading. Her parents Dix and Dixey were incredible characters. I like being outdoors so could relate in parts to Roxy's need to be outside and feel fresh air at all times.

The abuse she suffered at the hands of a family friend was difficult and heartbreaking to read. But she sought justice and we read about the court appearances etc.

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roxy's father was a gypsy by choice having grown up in a house with a strict catholic upbringing. His mother's family however were nomadic horse breeders many generations back, but after Roxy's great great great grandfather had been injured the family had stopped traveling, and stayed put living in a house until Dik (Roxy's dad), and his brother Bob decided to live the way their mother's family had in the past. You learn all of this in chapter one. If you know anything about gypsies then you would know that one can't choose to be one. Being a gypsy is not just about traveling, it's a culture of people whether they're on the road or living in a house they're always gypsies. It would have been nice to know if they had Romany gypsy roots (which I believe they do), but none of this is clear. Roxy's mother was a regular American girl who took to the traveling way of life as if she were born into it.

What should have been an amazing childhood of endless freedom became tainted by the betrayal of a trusted family friend. For years Roxy, and her sister Perly were groomed into becoming the perfect release for his sick pent up perverse desires. Living this life of freedom had cost them in many ways, and this was just one. Education was the other. Dixey (Roxy's mom) didn't even seem concerned for her childrens education even though she grew up with the best. I felt that she should have at least home schooled them.

Even though Dik decided his family would live the traveller lifestyle he didn't immerse his family into that world completely. Had they mixed in with other travellers then the children not being educated wouldn't have been as big of an issue, the daughters would have then been cared for by their husbands. They also would have had more protection against sexual molestation being in a closed community. I found myself wondering why Dik turned down offers of marriage for his daughters by other travellers. I mean how did he expect them to care for themselves after having lived this type of life. Luckily Roxy was intelligent, and so she later pursued her education. I also wondered how Roxy's life would have been had she had a regular education. She's very smart, so I could definately see her being extremely successful.

All in all this was a good read. This is basically a family that decided to live an alternative lifestyle. I do think they should have considered their childrens futures more than they did (as explained above), and I'm still not really sure why Dixey would have allowed her children to grow up without an education. As parents it's our job to try to guide our children into the most successful adulthood, and not to be rude, but her parents failed on that end. Even in traveller families they prepare their kids, the girls are trained in homemaking, and the boys are taken out to learn how to earn money to care for a family. Then they're married young to other travellers. I just can't get my mind around the fact that Dik didn't think about these things.

[Anette · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an insightful tho sad telling of her life growing up in a gypsy family.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born in 1979, the third of six children, Roxy Freeman spent her childhood travelling, often in a horse-drawn caravan, initially in Ireland, and later in England. Her father, Dik, had had a conventional upbringing in a strict Catholic family, but as a young adult chose to live a travelling life. The “wanderlust” was clearly in his genes because his mother’s family had, for generations, been nomadic horse breeders. However, his attraction to this alternative life-style also had its roots in his desire to escape his restrictive upbringing. Dixie, the young woman he met when she was seventeen and whom he later married, was well-educated and from an affluent, East Coast American family. A major attraction was their shared need for freedom from expectations and restraint.
Roxy’s autobiographical story tells of an upbringing which was, by turns, strict, full of responsibility from very early childhood, full of freedom, yet also blighted by sexual abuse by a close friend of the family. This abuse, which was also inflicted on her slightly younger sister, was kept secret from the rest of the family and was only revealed once she was an adult. Although described in some detail, at no time was the abuse over-sensationalised; in fact there were times when I felt that the author, even as an adult, was almost too detached from its effects on her. However, her honesty about the ambivalent feelings she had experienced as a child, and her subsequent courage in exposing her abuser, shone through and demonstrated her determined not to be defined by it.
At the age of 11, when the family was living on a more permanent site, she started taking lessons in flamenco dancing and her natural talent and sense of rhythm eventually enabled her to make a successful career of it, travelling all over the world to perform. It is also a testament to her strength of character, and her determination to overcome some of the deficiencies in her upbringing, that she was, with the help and encouragement of some important mentors, able to overcome the lack of any formal education during childhood and go on to gain a university degree when she was 29, to follow this with an MA, and now to work as a freelance journalist and author in Brighton. I have to say that one of the things I found really shocking was that, given all her educational advantages, Dixie did so little to educate her children – she would have been perfectly capable of “home-schooling” them even if she was resistant to their going to a conventional school!

[Гери · Rating 2 out of 5]

Всъщност, взех да я чета заради това, че и Тайсън Фюри е чергар и поради факта,че нямаше и 2 лв. Е, заслужава си цената. Рокси не е родена в такова семейство, не е типичната ирландка циганка или чергарка, или там както си ги наричат. Баща й е нещо като псевдочергар, а майка й е някаква богаташка разглезена хипарка, която учудващо се адаптира към този "невероятен и най-вече здравословен начин на живот", в който поради липса на адекватни медицински грижи губи две деца, а момичетата са й насилвани като деца, понеже тя нямала очи за това. На всичкото отгоре трае съпруг, който не само има нещо като биполярно разстройство или просто ужасен характер, но и й изневерява пред нея или пред децата й. Пълна идилия! А, да и гледа децата му плод на изневерите. Дори здравата Рокси заболява и ако не е супер-дупер богатата й баба дали щеше да оздравее? Самата авторка показва колко е идиличен живота й как е бил прекрасен... Нормално, тя друго не знае. Но отстрани, дори с целия напън на книгата да го отрече, се виждат раздраните бели конци.
А и може би има някакъв рецесифен ген от бащина линия да е все по пътищата. Тя дори завършва университет и все пак някакви психически оцелява от редица сексуални посегателства, но колко момичета имат нейния късмет? Дали ще бъдат употребени на 5, дали няма да починат от болести, които вече се лекуват, дали ще народят 5 деца до 20? Дано все пак тази книга да влезе в главата на някоя нюейдж хипарка, която поне да не подлага децата си на това, но едва ли. Нито пък редакторката или преводачката ще узнаят коя е авторката на "Малки жени", но надеждата, знаете я уж умирала трудно и накрая.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully written and frank portrayal of what it was like to grow up as a New Age Traveller in the 1980s and 90s. Although Roxy was abused for many years, I never felt that this tipped over into misery memoir territory. She speaks openly about her confusion regarding her abuser (a family friend, whom she had fond memories of before the abuse) and the fact that she never felt like her life had been ruined by what happened. If anything, it made her a stronger person, although it sounds like she was incredibly strong to begin with. Her desire to educate herself and chase new dreams was admirable.

[Karen Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at life living in the open in a caravan. No heat or running water. No electricity except that provided by an unreliable generator. And more importantly no structured education for Roxy and her 5 siblings.

Throw in to the mix some childhood sexual abuse by a family friend and you have a very compelling story.

[Pipa Guest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of a gypsy girl’s early life living in a caravan and moving around. Leading to becoming a journalist in Brighton.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, was an interesting insight from a gypsy girl growing up. Some of the abuse she suffered was awful, poor girl.

[Smitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born in 1979, Roxy Freeman grew up travelling around Ireland and England in a horse-drawn wagon with her mother and father and five siblings. Life was harsh but it was a childhood of freedom spent in harmony with nature. Roxy didn't know her time-tables but she could milk a goat, ride a horse and cook dinner on an open fire before she was ten.

I have mentioned this before that I find it tough to review non-fiction which is somebody's life story. But some books grab you so hard that you cannot but talk about it. Little Gypsy is one of those. I had first come across gypsies in Enid Blyton books. They seemed fascinating to me. Not aspirational, but definitely fascinating. To be reading the tale of a real life gypsy was exciting!

Roxy Freeman's dad came from an ancestry of Romani Gypsies, possibly. His great-great grandfather suffered an injury and that resulted in them giving up their nomadic life until Dik, Roxy's dad rediscovered his nomadic tendencies. Roxy's mum was from a wealthy family in America who meets the love of her life, Dik, while back-packing in Ireland. They go on to live a proper nomadic life with their 6 children. Life, when Roxy was young was harsh, but fun. Roxy was born in Ireland and that was a more idyllic existence. Things changed a lot for them when the Freemans moved over to England, where prejudices ran high. They faced trouble from the local communities and had to deal with regular evictions from the police. Despite all that, the children did have a good childhood.

All that changed for Roxy and Perly, her younger sister, when they fell prey to the unwanted attention of their 'uncle' Tony. Tony was a friend of their parents, and a highly trusted one. They were abused for years by him, and they kept quiet, terrified by what might happen if they spoke out about what Tony did. It was years before Roxy managed to speak up about the abuse.

They had a kind of upbringing that is hard to imagine. No schooling, it was only after Roxy was over 8 that she started to recognise letters and learned to read. I find it hard to understand how her mother, who grew up well-educated never felt the need to educate her children. As for her dad, so many things I find difficult to understand. But then that just might be a different type of life, one which most of us would find tough to understand. I guess that is why that life is called unconventional. What is heart-warming is how Roxy made the most of her life. Despite her childhood, Roxy went on to educate herself and get a life for herself.

The book had me marvelling at their lives and wishing they had better at the same time. The small things that we take for granted like having a hot bath, were luxuries for them, had only when their mum's parents came visiting. Once when she slept over at a friend's place, she felt it odd to be in such a hot place, never having had central heating or electric blankets, it was something her body just couldn't adjust to.

Her mother, I have to say, must have been the most gentle, adjusting person possible. To take to the life of gypsies like she did, despite being from such a different background, accepting the things her husband did.. sounds almost unbelievable to me. I can understand some from a less privileged background behaving like this but her mother, who seemingly had options.. very difficult to understand. But then, that's people, isn't it? Everybody functions in their own way, with their own motivations.

It was a fantastic book. It gives an insight into the nomadic way of living. The prejudice and hostility that they face from people unable to accept a different style of living. As for the abuse she faced, I guess that could happen in any sort of environment. It is heart breaking to see that child sexual abuse happens everywhere, just goes to show, I guess there are all sorts of people in all sorts of societies. The author wanted to write her story to show that even a childhood disrupted by abuse can be happy, and I guess she does do that with the book.

It is a fascinating tale of a way of life, which I would think will soon be one of the past. It makes me wonder if it is right to expect nomadic people/tribal people give up their ways and adopt the ways of the majority? While in some ways they might be at a disadvantage, I can't help wondering if that is only true because the society is tuned to the way most of us function. So 'lifestyle minorities' like the gypsies would have to conform, eventually? That makes me feel a little sad.

It was 5/5 read for me. A window into a totally different life.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the traveller community.

[penelopewanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the autobiography of Roxy Freeman. Her father, though settled, has traveller roots, and when he meets up with Dixey, the 17 year old American escaping a wealthy family, the two set off on the roads. It's the 70s and 80s and it's back to nature (with occasional trips to India). Roxy grows up with the pros and cons of this gypsy life without the usual Rom traditions, community and rules of society. Surprisingly some Rom traditions are respected, such as a few of the rules of hygiene - separate bowls for dishing, washing, laundry etc. As she points out, their life of freedom was vulnerable to those who wished to prey on their naive belief in the goodness of all. Nonetheless, Roxy emerges strong and happy. The story reads well. I had bought it, thinking to perhaps use it with a class on the theme of the Rom. Not sure, given the group of teenagers that I'm teaching, that it would be suitable.

[Heelqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true story of the life of roxy freeman.
This story tells a frank and honest story about the harsh realities of growing up in a travelling community.
A life of constant moving, no schooling and being under constant treat from the police.
It always shows the lovely sense of family spirit and community.and how growing up in a wagon travelling around from place to place can be a lovely thing.
This is a really well written, vivid book.
Roxy writes about her childhood and life so clearly you almost feel as if you too were part of her world.
It's eye opening,and. Educating.
Very good read

[Suzy Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story telling from a girl who's lived an incredible life. Absolutely fascinating, and all the more interesting for being true. No mystery, no thrills, no plot devices and yet I was completely gripped throughout. I read it in about two days and enjoyed being in its company so much I was sad when it finished.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult to rate this book. Difficult to like a book about child abuse.
Interesting fact from this book:
ROHYPNOL- originally prescribed for sleeping disorders, in large doses, it is used for date rape. Victim has no recall of events but may have short vivid insights as time goes by.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing intrinsically wrong with this memoir of a girl brought up as a gypsy, except that it felt manufactured to me, like she had dictated dates and events and a ghost writer had put them on paper. And at times, it read like a misery memoir, and I avoid misery memoirs like the plague.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had won a copy of this book here on GoodReads and thought since I finally have the time I should review it. I'm not the much of a nonfiction fan but I thought that Little Gypsy was a very good book. I'm glad Roxy Freeman told us her story because it was interesting. I like this book.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Crammed full of emotion and eye opening experiences. Read it once, and about to read it again!