Paperboy: An Enchanting True Story of a Belfast Paperboy Coming to Terms with the Troubles

by Tony Macaulay

It’s Belfast, 1975. The city lies under the dark cloud of the Troubles, and hatred fills the air like smoke. But Tony Macaulay has just turned twelve and he’s got a new job. He’s going to be a paperboy. And come rain or shine – or bombs and mortar – he will deliver…

Paperboy lives in Upper Shankill, Belfast, in the heart of the conflict between Loyalists and Republicans. Bombings are on the evening news, rubble lies where buildings once stood, and rumours spread like wildfire about the IRA and the UDA.

But Paperboy lives in a world of Doctor Who, Top of the Pops and fish suppers. His battles are fought with all the passion of Ireland’s opposing sides – but against acne, the dentist and the ‘wee hoods’ who rob his paper money. On his rounds he hums songs by the Bay City Rollers, dreams about outer space and dreams even more about the beautiful Sharon Burgess.

In this touching, funny and nostalgic memoir, Tony Macaulay recounts his days growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, the harrowing years which saw neighbour fighting neighbour and brother fighting brother. But in the midst of all this turmoil, Paperboy, a scrappy upstart with a wicked sense of humour and sky-high dreams, dutifully goes about his paper round. He is a good paperboy, so he is.

Paperboy proves that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times; it is a story that will charm your socks off, make you laugh out loud and brings to life the culture, stories and colourful characters of a very different – but very familiar – time.

Genres: Nonfiction

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2011

Reviews

[julie williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful account of a young mans interpretation of the struggle

Just recently attending belfast after always being a bit nervous .
I noticed a change in attitude and also whilst visiting the prison saw the advert for this book. Have really enjoyed an innocents approach to a very scary period of time

[l godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant read

Poignant, moving and hilarious.
Read after a visit to Be!fast. What an insight into a childs life during the troubles.

[donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Such an interesting read. Kept me wanting to keep reading every time I picked it up! On to the next one.....

[Carol gilbert]

Fabulous read

This book was surdesded to me by a man I know who was a teacher I found this book very to my liking and carnt wait to read the other book by the same author

[ciara hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK but a bit repetitive and I didn't finish it. Got a bit boring

[Ash Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT

I totally recommend this book..... so I do! It brought back great memories for me growing up in East Belfast during the troubles. It's definitely a trip down memory lane and I loved it. Written with great humour and I'm looking forward to reading breadboy!!! Thanks for the laughs and for the amazing memories x

[Karl Whitney]

DNF