Sour: My Story: A Troubled Girl from a Broken Home. the Brixton Gang She Nearly Died For. the Baby She Fought to Live For.

by Tracey Miller

They call me Sour. The opposite of sweet. Shanking, stabbing, steaming, robbing, I did it all, rolling with the Man Dem. I did it because I was bad. I did it because I had heart. And the reason I reckon I got away with it for so long? Because I was a girl. SOUR is the true story of a former Brixton gang girl, drug dealer and full-time criminal. A member of the Younger 28s, a notorious gang that terrorised the postcodes around Brixton in the 90s, Sour escapes a troubled family life to immerse herself in the street life of likking and linking. She never leaves her house without a knife. At the age of fifteen, she stabs an innocent man in the street, earning her unrivalled respect and 'Top-Dog' status amongst her crew. She believes she is invincible. But the consequences of her actions are soon to catch up with her. Waking for the second time in two weeks in a hospital bed, to the news that she is pregnant, she realises it's time to turn her life around. Motherhood will be a rude awakening, but it may also be her saving grace. Told with raw emotions and ferocious honesty, this is the real, on-the-record, story of one woman's descent down the rabbit hole of gangland, and her efforts, as a daughter, mother and girlfriend, to claw herself out.

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2014

Reviews

[Tray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant read. Very deep, emotional and inspiring book.

[Shalisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so deeep, explorative and insightful, plus it's real life. Whoever didn't like it, it's probably because you were not the person the book was aimed at. What's understood don't need to be explained.

What made it riviting for me is that all the places she mentions is literally a stone throw away from my bedroom window. I felt as though I was right there with her, not to mention she is so funny and relateable😅 I literally feel like she's someone in my family or one of my bredrins.

I would love to see a part 2 of the path, struggle and success she endured in order to turn her life around. It would be beneficial for the young ones coming up that are currently living the life she used to live, showing them that they too can change.

[Jenni · Rating 2 out of 5]

True story of a girl living her life in south london as a gang member. she has a fondness for using a knife and just seems full of anger, directing it towards anyone who gets in her way. Why she was angry i couldnt quite work out all the way through the book, just found it a shame she found a good boyfriend and threw the relationship away. Sad account really, too much knife crime and resulting prison sentences.

[Crazy_smiler · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sorry. I hated it. Maybe it was because the narrator was hard to understand. It seemed to be so jumpy and hard to follow. I also feel bad being this is a book about themselves but I did not like Sour. Sadly I knew right away I wasn’t going to like the book and I didn’t.

[josie hodgkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admiration

Couldn't put this book down it was gritty and truthful . So happy to read ya daughter is clued up about society . Well written . Wish I well sour and the fam

[Sarah Freeman-langford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Goodreads Giveaway win so usual thanks to the author and publishers for the copy.

This is the story of a London estate girl and her life in the world of gangs. Determined not to be just a gang 'girlfriend' she sets about becoming a full-fledged gang member in her own right. She succeeds at this and leads on to stabbing, prison and being a drug dealer.

I have mixed feelings about the book. Although it was an interesting story it is by no means original, and to be honest we've all probably read it before, possibly it's only difference being the viewpoint of a girl gang member.

I struggled with the language as like a lot of people I'm not familiar with gang slang and this made it difficult and irritating to read.

I'd like to think that if potential knife wielding youngsters read this it would make them think twice about it but I'm not convinced that it will.

Having said all that good luck to the author and it shows that a life can be turned around and congratulations to her for that.

Once again thank you for the review copy.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

Although I only rated it as OK, this is largely due to my being part of a much older generation and not therefore part of the target audience. My view of the book was somehow tainted by my view of the gang culture of today. I did learn a little along the way, but the writing style wasn't my cup of tea.

For someone who has a greater interest in this type of book, it may well be a more meaningful and enjoyable read, but for me, I struggled to make it through to the end.

[Denise Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book in a goodreads give away. Its a really good book, insperational with a good ending. It isnt just another book about how someone has done wrong and they they see the light per se. Its interesting to know how Tracey sees things and doesnt blame just her upbrining on how she turned out and the things she has done. I will definately be recommending this book to friends.

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of ganglife; I should be shocked at most of it but what shocked me the most was how her crew turned their backs on her when she had done nothing wrong. I can only admire her for turning her life around and the courage and determination she has. A compelling read

[Elz Bells · Rating 3 out of 5]

found the local dialect used tough to understand.

[Zhi Ling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raw