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Tales of the Notorious Hudson Family #1
Our Vinnie
The infamous Canterbury Estate in Bradford, a hotbed of crime, drink and drugs, was a law unto itself in the ’70s. So when one of their own was wronged in any way, the community always had its own way of dealing with it. The first title in a series of gritty family sagas, Our Vinnie accounts the dramatic true story of a brother’s determination to avenge his younger sister’s rape. Josie was just 11 when her Vinnie, then 14, was taken away to a detention centre. Distraught by his absence and left alone with indifferent parents, when she escapes from one of their rows she naively enters the house of a neighbour, Melvin, who – horrifically – leads her upstairs and overpowers her. Convinced by her friend Carol, Josie tells her sister Lyndsey about the rape but, with Vinnie out of the picture, Lyndsey uses the information for her own ends. When Vinnie returns, hardened by years inside the system, his outrage on discovering the truth is severe. And with new abuses continually coming to light, a cataclysmic series of violent events begins to spiral out of control… Dramatic and shocking, Our Vinnie is an unbelievable page-turner, documenting a community forsaken by society, and one brother’s unrelenting determination to take justice into his own hands.
- GenresBiography
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2014
28 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Julie Shaw
61 books24 followersPen name for author Lynne Barrett-Lee:
Born in London and now based in Wales, Ghostwriter Lynne Barrett-Lee has been a full time author since the mid nineties. Having enjoyed several years of success as a short story writer, with her fiction appearing in almost all of the UK’s leading women’s magazines, she had her first novel, the acclaimed Julia Gets a Life, published by Bantam in 2000. She has since written seven further novels, including her 2006 work, Barefoot in the Dark, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Melissa Nathan Award. Lynne was also approached to write one of the first titles in the Quick Reads series for emergent readers, and went on to ghost a further title for TV presenter Fiona Phillips.
Lynne began ghostwriting full length non-fiction in 2007, when approached to co-author paraplegic Melanie Davies' incredible story, Never Say Die, and since that successful collaboration has been ghostwriting full time. Her 2010 title, for Faith Scott, I Won’t Forgive What You Did, enjoyed seven weeks in the UK Sunday Times Bestseller list, as did the 2012 memoir The Baby Laundry. She also ghosted the acclaimed memoir Giant George: life with the World’s Tallest Dog a bestselling title in both the UK and US.
More recently, Lynne ghosted two bestselling titles which were published in the spring of this year. The first, Mum’s Way, is the story of mum of eight, Angie Millthorpe, who died of breast cancer, aged 48, in 2010. The second, The Girl With No Name, was published in May 13, and relates the story of a young girl abandoned in the jungles of Colombia, and has already been sold in eighteen countries, with film rights being negotiated and a National Geographic documentary being shown in December 13.
Lynne also co-writes a major non-fiction series for one of the world's leading publishers, under a pseudonym. The first seven titles have also all been Sunday Times bestsellers, with three more being published in 2013/14. The series was launched in the USA in 2013, and the first ebook in the series was a NY Times bestseller.
Lynne also writes about writing, as she teaches the craft weekly, at Cardiff University - her ebook NOVEL being the written distillation of her popular novel writing course.
Born in London and now based in Wales, Ghostwriter Lynne Barrett-Lee has been a full time author since the mid nineties. Having enjoyed several years of success as a short story writer, with her fiction appearing in almost all of the UK’s leading women’s magazines, she had her first novel, the acclaimed Julia Gets a Life, published by Bantam in 2000. She has since written seven further novels, including her 2006 work, Barefoot in the Dark, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Melissa Nathan Award. Lynne was also approached to write one of the first titles in the Quick Reads series for emergent readers, and went on to ghost a further title for TV presenter Fiona Phillips.
Lynne began ghostwriting full length non-fiction in 2007, when approached to co-author paraplegic Melanie Davies' incredible story, Never Say Die, and since that successful collaboration has been ghostwriting full time. Her 2010 title, for Faith Scott, I Won’t Forgive What You Did, enjoyed seven weeks in the UK Sunday Times Bestseller list, as did the 2012 memoir The Baby Laundry. She also ghosted the acclaimed memoir Giant George: life with the World’s Tallest Dog a bestselling title in both the UK and US.
More recently, Lynne ghosted two bestselling titles which were published in the spring of this year. The first, Mum’s Way, is the story of mum of eight, Angie Millthorpe, who died of breast cancer, aged 48, in 2010. The second, The Girl With No Name, was published in May 13, and relates the story of a young girl abandoned in the jungles of Colombia, and has already been sold in eighteen countries, with film rights being negotiated and a National Geographic documentary being shown in December 13.
Lynne also co-writes a major non-fiction series for one of the world's leading publishers, under a pseudonym. The first seven titles have also all been Sunday Times bestsellers, with three more being published in 2013/14. The series was launched in the USA in 2013, and the first ebook in the series was a NY Times bestseller.
Lynne also writes about writing, as she teaches the craft weekly, at Cardiff University - her ebook NOVEL being the written distillation of her popular novel writing course.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 15, 2022
This is the true story of the Hudson family, and in particular Vinnie. It begins in 1970 , on the infamous Canterbury estate, Bradford, in the north of England, a place that was renowned for its crime, drink, drugs, and unemployment.
We meet Vinnie when he's 13 years old - he hates school and hasn't attended for two months. Despite this fact, he does appear to be intelligent and is also wise beyond his years. However, he uses these two positives in a negative way, he likes nothing better than being in 'bother', goes out robbing, and uses his fists to mete out punishment, because he wants people to respect him, and believes that this can be achieved only by being really bad. He enjoys cultivating his "hard man" image.
His home life consists of June, his hard drinking fiery mother, whose vocabulary usually consists of effing this or eff that! Ditto Jock, his father, who can best be described as feckless, his view on the subject of work is " The only work I've ever done is the weekly 20 minute walk to the dole office to sign on for my unemployment benefit" and then there's his younger sister Josie. Josie, 11 years old, idolises Vinnie, and he in his turn appears to care for her, but can still treat her in a cruel manner when the fancy takes him.
Eventually Vinnie is sent away to a detention centre, this doesn't stop his troublemaking however, on the contrary, his violent streak reaches new levels in his effort to be top dog. While he's away, Josie, in an effort to escape yet another massive row between her parents, is lured into a neighbour's house and is raped, but she finds it impossible to tell her parents. She misses Vinnie even more at this time, but it's clear that once he's home and finds out what happened, that the rape will be avenged. This book is part one of three, and ended rather abruptly, and left me wanting to read more. It was written by a member of the Hudson family and she writes in a natural easy to read style. Though it covers the early 70's and records a slice of social history, it could be taken from today's news, as this element of society is still prevalent today. It was an interesting read, and yes, I do want to know what comes next, what Vinnie and Josie make of their lives.
We meet Vinnie when he's 13 years old - he hates school and hasn't attended for two months. Despite this fact, he does appear to be intelligent and is also wise beyond his years. However, he uses these two positives in a negative way, he likes nothing better than being in 'bother', goes out robbing, and uses his fists to mete out punishment, because he wants people to respect him, and believes that this can be achieved only by being really bad. He enjoys cultivating his "hard man" image.
His home life consists of June, his hard drinking fiery mother, whose vocabulary usually consists of effing this or eff that! Ditto Jock, his father, who can best be described as feckless, his view on the subject of work is " The only work I've ever done is the weekly 20 minute walk to the dole office to sign on for my unemployment benefit" and then there's his younger sister Josie. Josie, 11 years old, idolises Vinnie, and he in his turn appears to care for her, but can still treat her in a cruel manner when the fancy takes him.
Eventually Vinnie is sent away to a detention centre, this doesn't stop his troublemaking however, on the contrary, his violent streak reaches new levels in his effort to be top dog. While he's away, Josie, in an effort to escape yet another massive row between her parents, is lured into a neighbour's house and is raped, but she finds it impossible to tell her parents. She misses Vinnie even more at this time, but it's clear that once he's home and finds out what happened, that the rape will be avenged. This book is part one of three, and ended rather abruptly, and left me wanting to read more. It was written by a member of the Hudson family and she writes in a natural easy to read style. Though it covers the early 70's and records a slice of social history, it could be taken from today's news, as this element of society is still prevalent today. It was an interesting read, and yes, I do want to know what comes next, what Vinnie and Josie make of their lives.
March 5, 2021
This is book 1 to a 7 book series.
I picked up books 5 & 6 to this series at charity shop some years ago and held off from reading them once I realised they were part of a series. Now thanks to my local library I'm able to read whole series as they have them in ebook & audiobook, yay.
Anyway, getting off topic there. So book One Our Vinnie was a truly shocking and gritty story, which depicts a true story. I thought the story was very well written and was thoroughly enjoyable/entertaining. In the character of Vinnie, his story turned out a lot different than I thought it would. To be honest I kept expecting him to learn from his mistakes and not get caught each time.
But despite that I wasn't put off and I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Oh and just a little word of warning, there are a couple of gritty violent scenes which some readers may find hard to read.
I picked up books 5 & 6 to this series at charity shop some years ago and held off from reading them once I realised they were part of a series. Now thanks to my local library I'm able to read whole series as they have them in ebook & audiobook, yay.
Anyway, getting off topic there. So book One Our Vinnie was a truly shocking and gritty story, which depicts a true story. I thought the story was very well written and was thoroughly enjoyable/entertaining. In the character of Vinnie, his story turned out a lot different than I thought it would. To be honest I kept expecting him to learn from his mistakes and not get caught each time.
But despite that I wasn't put off and I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Oh and just a little word of warning, there are a couple of gritty violent scenes which some readers may find hard to read.
November 17, 2014
This book is the first of a trilogy, and billed as a true story of Yorkshire’s notorious criminal family.
“Our Vinnie” is set in Bradford in the 1970s and is the story of Vinnie McKellan. We first meet him when he is 14 years old and about to be sent to an approved school for petty thieving and general bad behaviour. Unfortunately, his behaviour doesn’t improve and so he is incarcerated for longer periods in even harsher institutions. Despite his violent and hot tempered nature I found it impossible to dislike him – I probably would have felt differently had I thought he was inherently evil.
His younger sister Josie was my favourite character of the family. She was a tough little girl and her home life wasn’t a happy one; her feckless parents and drugged up sister Lyndsey didn’t seem to care much for her at all and I suppose the lack of love and attention made it inevitable that she looked up to elder brother Vinnie. He in turn was very protective towards his sister and it was partly because of this that he got into so much trouble when dispensing his own form of justice.
As you would expect with a book of this nature, there is a lot of profanity and some violence. Although I did wince a little at some of Vinnie’s violent acts, this was actually no worse than any other book of this genre. Anyone who has read a Martina Cole book will know what I mean.
Julie Shaw has a very engaging style of writing. The book was extremely readable and I raced through it quite quickly. It’s not a big book at just over 320 pages but despite its relatively short length, the characters feel fully formed and the storytelling flows easily with quality content.
This was a hard hitting and thought provoking read. At times I felt saddened and despairing because you could see history repeating itself - the children being stuck in the same cycle of crime as their parents and being unable to change their lifestyle and circumstances.
My thanks to Lovereading for the review copy.
“Our Vinnie” is set in Bradford in the 1970s and is the story of Vinnie McKellan. We first meet him when he is 14 years old and about to be sent to an approved school for petty thieving and general bad behaviour. Unfortunately, his behaviour doesn’t improve and so he is incarcerated for longer periods in even harsher institutions. Despite his violent and hot tempered nature I found it impossible to dislike him – I probably would have felt differently had I thought he was inherently evil.
His younger sister Josie was my favourite character of the family. She was a tough little girl and her home life wasn’t a happy one; her feckless parents and drugged up sister Lyndsey didn’t seem to care much for her at all and I suppose the lack of love and attention made it inevitable that she looked up to elder brother Vinnie. He in turn was very protective towards his sister and it was partly because of this that he got into so much trouble when dispensing his own form of justice.
As you would expect with a book of this nature, there is a lot of profanity and some violence. Although I did wince a little at some of Vinnie’s violent acts, this was actually no worse than any other book of this genre. Anyone who has read a Martina Cole book will know what I mean.
Julie Shaw has a very engaging style of writing. The book was extremely readable and I raced through it quite quickly. It’s not a big book at just over 320 pages but despite its relatively short length, the characters feel fully formed and the storytelling flows easily with quality content.
This was a hard hitting and thought provoking read. At times I felt saddened and despairing because you could see history repeating itself - the children being stuck in the same cycle of crime as their parents and being unable to change their lifestyle and circumstances.
My thanks to Lovereading for the review copy.
January 6, 2024
Good read.
December 26, 2014
I won a copy of this book via the Goodreads Giveaway so was very pleased to receive my copy so usual thanks to both Author and Publisher.
It has a very striking title, strap-line and cover photography so should be a good draw on the book shop shelves.
However I must say that having read the description and being promised a ripping good yarn in the 'Martina Cole' style this book didn't deliver for me.
We were promised a story filled with northern humour about a notorious criminal family and a leading role by 'Vinnie' the main character. What we actually got was a non too thrilling story of a family of petty thieves, and drug takers with a main character who not only wasn't a 'notorious' criminal but was in actual fact a youth who originally through a minor misdemeanour ended up in an approved school and never really came out of the prison system for more than a few days throughout the entire book.
The whole book didn't really feel exciting or interesting. The story glossed over huge chunks of time and events were not fully detailed. The ending was very much an anti climatic nothingness to be honest.
All the characters came across as superficial and I didn't feel as though I got to know any of them in any great detail and didn't feel any empathy with any of them even the ones you were supposed to like. None of them were the 'loveable rogue' type or 'hard as nails' criminals.
In actual fact it was just a story about a largely dysfunctional family from a council estate in Bradford in the seventies. A story that you could possibly find replicated in a lot of small towns throughout the country at that time and not that special.
Having said all that I have given it three stars as the actual writing was not bad at all and the author given the right story could probably do a very decent novel. The writing style was quite a comfortable read and didn't drag with unnecessary description or dialogue. It had a very snappy feel to it and skipped along nicely so although I didn't quite like the story I never felt the need to give up on it and nor did it fill me with dread every-time I reached for the book to carry on reading. (And believe me I have been at that stage with some books!!!)
This novel wasn't my cup of tea but some may enjoy it more and I would not discourage anybody to give it a go.
Thank You again for the chance to review and I wish the author sucess with this and the follow on novels she had written.
It has a very striking title, strap-line and cover photography so should be a good draw on the book shop shelves.
However I must say that having read the description and being promised a ripping good yarn in the 'Martina Cole' style this book didn't deliver for me.
We were promised a story filled with northern humour about a notorious criminal family and a leading role by 'Vinnie' the main character. What we actually got was a non too thrilling story of a family of petty thieves, and drug takers with a main character who not only wasn't a 'notorious' criminal but was in actual fact a youth who originally through a minor misdemeanour ended up in an approved school and never really came out of the prison system for more than a few days throughout the entire book.
The whole book didn't really feel exciting or interesting. The story glossed over huge chunks of time and events were not fully detailed. The ending was very much an anti climatic nothingness to be honest.
All the characters came across as superficial and I didn't feel as though I got to know any of them in any great detail and didn't feel any empathy with any of them even the ones you were supposed to like. None of them were the 'loveable rogue' type or 'hard as nails' criminals.
In actual fact it was just a story about a largely dysfunctional family from a council estate in Bradford in the seventies. A story that you could possibly find replicated in a lot of small towns throughout the country at that time and not that special.
Having said all that I have given it three stars as the actual writing was not bad at all and the author given the right story could probably do a very decent novel. The writing style was quite a comfortable read and didn't drag with unnecessary description or dialogue. It had a very snappy feel to it and skipped along nicely so although I didn't quite like the story I never felt the need to give up on it and nor did it fill me with dread every-time I reached for the book to carry on reading. (And believe me I have been at that stage with some books!!!)
This novel wasn't my cup of tea but some may enjoy it more and I would not discourage anybody to give it a go.
Thank You again for the chance to review and I wish the author sucess with this and the follow on novels she had written.
May 22, 2016
When I first hear about this book, I really really wanted to read it, So I went and purchased it from Amazon. But me being me, I also purchased the other two that were out then too. So I have had.
1 Our Vinnie
2 My Uncle Charlie
3 My Mam Shirley
All sat on my kindle for what seems like an age. Just looking on amazon then, it seems I purchased this book in December 2014, I just can't believe it has taken me this long to get around to reading it.
But I have to say i'm glad I finally did get around to it, as I really did enjoy it.
It seemed like an easy read, With some fantastic characters. Some you dispise and others you really fall for. One of the characters I really felt for was Titch, Vinnie's sister, I was really rooting for her throughout this book to do well in life and make something of herself.
Vinnie was just a character and a half, It was great following his up's and downs. more downs it seems, as he just doesn't seem to be able to keep himself out of trouble.
Based on a Bradford council estate, this book has all you would expect. It really is a great read, A book you want to carry on with just to see what will happen next.
Since I purchased this book Julie Shaw has since brought out another one.
4 Blood Ties
and book
5 Bad Blood is due out 14th July 2016
So If you have not yet read any of this authors books, there are certainly enough to get your teeth into.
1 Our Vinnie
2 My Uncle Charlie
3 My Mam Shirley
All sat on my kindle for what seems like an age. Just looking on amazon then, it seems I purchased this book in December 2014, I just can't believe it has taken me this long to get around to reading it.
But I have to say i'm glad I finally did get around to it, as I really did enjoy it.
It seemed like an easy read, With some fantastic characters. Some you dispise and others you really fall for. One of the characters I really felt for was Titch, Vinnie's sister, I was really rooting for her throughout this book to do well in life and make something of herself.
Vinnie was just a character and a half, It was great following his up's and downs. more downs it seems, as he just doesn't seem to be able to keep himself out of trouble.
Based on a Bradford council estate, this book has all you would expect. It really is a great read, A book you want to carry on with just to see what will happen next.
Since I purchased this book Julie Shaw has since brought out another one.
4 Blood Ties
and book
5 Bad Blood is due out 14th July 2016
So If you have not yet read any of this authors books, there are certainly enough to get your teeth into.
November 4, 2014
I was sent this to review, by Lovereading,
It's a gritty, telling of Yorkshire's notorious criminal family, and boy, what a family,, Julie Shaw, tell it so well, think Martina Cole,!
Vinnie, is a likeable, fourteen year old, who is doted on by his, misguided mother,who for her, he can do no wrong, his dad,knows what Vinnie, is ,or thinks he does, a kid, who goes thieving, etc, bunks school,
But Vinnie, is adored by his younger sister Josie,who in turns loves her brother, knowing if there's anyone she can count on, it's Vinnie,
All this comes to a head, when, having been spotted smashing the skylight, of the local youth centre in, This is enough, to send him to court, and with his previous, fighting,, robbing, bunking off school, things aren't looking good, He is sent to approved school.. His mum, is not pleased, and Josie is feeling lost,, It's while Vinnie, is away, that the unthinkable happens, Josie, who is only eleven is ,, and keeps it to herself, Years later, she tells her older sister Lyndsey, who when Vinnie gets out ,tells him,,
All hell breaks loose!
You can not but help, like Vinnie,and Josie, and while reading it, I could see Robbie Roscoe, a likeable character in Hollyoaks,
I can not wait for the second book, and then the third,, great writing and great reading,,
It's a gritty, telling of Yorkshire's notorious criminal family, and boy, what a family,, Julie Shaw, tell it so well, think Martina Cole,!
Vinnie, is a likeable, fourteen year old, who is doted on by his, misguided mother,who for her, he can do no wrong, his dad,knows what Vinnie, is ,or thinks he does, a kid, who goes thieving, etc, bunks school,
But Vinnie, is adored by his younger sister Josie,who in turns loves her brother, knowing if there's anyone she can count on, it's Vinnie,
All this comes to a head, when, having been spotted smashing the skylight, of the local youth centre in, This is enough, to send him to court, and with his previous, fighting,, robbing, bunking off school, things aren't looking good, He is sent to approved school.. His mum, is not pleased, and Josie is feeling lost,, It's while Vinnie, is away, that the unthinkable happens, Josie, who is only eleven is ,, and keeps it to herself, Years later, she tells her older sister Lyndsey, who when Vinnie gets out ,tells him,,
All hell breaks loose!
You can not but help, like Vinnie,and Josie, and while reading it, I could see Robbie Roscoe, a likeable character in Hollyoaks,
I can not wait for the second book, and then the third,, great writing and great reading,,
November 30, 2014
I put another book down to take a quick look at Our Vinnie and found myself unable to put it down. very well written, i sympathised with Josie and also with her big brother Vinnie whose lifestyle and violence were easy to understand giving his childhood and also his love for his sister. eager to read more about this family..
November 28, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, its gritty and in your face but tells a brilliant story, it was a page turner...it left me wanting to read more now I cant wait to read the next one and see what happened next!
August 18, 2016
loved this book will be reading the other ones in the series
January 17, 2015
Really well written, kept me hooked
January 24, 2015
abso brilliant read true story not to be missed
August 1, 2025
This is #1 in a series of books Julie Shaw has written about her "notorious criminal family", the Hudsons, and their lives down the years living on a down trodden housing estate in Bradford.
This book features teenage loose cannon Vinnie as the central character and is set in the 1970s.
I'm sorry but the book did not have the feel of a true story and felt more like a Martina Cole novel.
Apart from a basic family tree diagram at the front of the book there was no real background or depth to any of the characters.
Right from the start the story was just a pit of shouting, swearing, petty crime, violence and debauchery with some of it over the top and too explicit.
I also did not feel any real connection with the 1970s or notice any of the "northern humour" referred to by another reviewer.
Wasn't what I was expecting but despite that it was entertaining enough to carry me through to the end.
Don't think I'll read the others in the series though.
3 stars.
This book features teenage loose cannon Vinnie as the central character and is set in the 1970s.
I'm sorry but the book did not have the feel of a true story and felt more like a Martina Cole novel.
Apart from a basic family tree diagram at the front of the book there was no real background or depth to any of the characters.
Right from the start the story was just a pit of shouting, swearing, petty crime, violence and debauchery with some of it over the top and too explicit.
I also did not feel any real connection with the 1970s or notice any of the "northern humour" referred to by another reviewer.
Wasn't what I was expecting but despite that it was entertaining enough to carry me through to the end.
Don't think I'll read the others in the series though.
3 stars.
July 18, 2018
Not bad
Took me a little while to get into this one but I still enjoyed it. I can truly understand why he did what he did. And sometimes you do feel like this is your only way to end things.
Took me a little while to get into this one but I still enjoyed it. I can truly understand why he did what he did. And sometimes you do feel like this is your only way to end things.
October 24, 2016
Excellent
A really tough gritty read. Well written and gripping from the start. Look forward to reading more from this notorious family
A really tough gritty read. Well written and gripping from the start. Look forward to reading more from this notorious family
June 12, 2017
good , downloaded second one
March 28, 2018
Enjoyed this book enough to read the second in the series - and am now about to indulge in the third!
October 11, 2018
Don't really have much to say other than I tried to read this thing for months now and its terrible! I couldn't even finish it. Really hate giving bad reviews but this book was that bad.
May 9, 2015
From my review blog:
https://themoustachioedreader.wordpre...
As a fan of the city’s football team and living just outside the area, I had high hopes for this Bradford based book. After this brilliant debut from Julie Shaw, my expectations for the second and third in the series are higher than the town hall clock in Bradford’s Centenary Square.
This was an exhilarating tale, an absolute joy and I tore through it in just a few days. I found it a sheer delight; filthy mouthed and violent and hard as Yorkshire stone but just as beautiful as the scenery in “God’s Own Country”.
This first book about the authors family, the criminal Hudson’s from the notorious Canterbury estate, starts in 1970 and tells the tale of 14 year old Vinnie. Like his family, he is a petty criminal, and soon finds himself locked up. His journey through the justice system can be shocking to read but you find yourself rooting for him at every stage. Vinnie does some terrible things, yet endears himself to the reader. Vinnie’s sense of right and wrong and, despite his own criminality, his version of justice is well explained and seems, oddly, right. I think this is testament to the writing of Shaw; she has given the characters such clarity and depth that they seem real. Obviously they were/are – but you know what I mean!
I found Vinnie to be a wonderful, dreadful, compelling character and thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with him. Thankfully though, he was safely on the page and not in front of me. That might be somewhat less enjoyable.
https://themoustachioedreader.wordpre...
As a fan of the city’s football team and living just outside the area, I had high hopes for this Bradford based book. After this brilliant debut from Julie Shaw, my expectations for the second and third in the series are higher than the town hall clock in Bradford’s Centenary Square.
This was an exhilarating tale, an absolute joy and I tore through it in just a few days. I found it a sheer delight; filthy mouthed and violent and hard as Yorkshire stone but just as beautiful as the scenery in “God’s Own Country”.
This first book about the authors family, the criminal Hudson’s from the notorious Canterbury estate, starts in 1970 and tells the tale of 14 year old Vinnie. Like his family, he is a petty criminal, and soon finds himself locked up. His journey through the justice system can be shocking to read but you find yourself rooting for him at every stage. Vinnie does some terrible things, yet endears himself to the reader. Vinnie’s sense of right and wrong and, despite his own criminality, his version of justice is well explained and seems, oddly, right. I think this is testament to the writing of Shaw; she has given the characters such clarity and depth that they seem real. Obviously they were/are – but you know what I mean!
I found Vinnie to be a wonderful, dreadful, compelling character and thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with him. Thankfully though, he was safely on the page and not in front of me. That might be somewhat less enjoyable.
November 12, 2014
“Our Vinnie” by Julie Shaw is a hard hitting and gritty true story about the notorious Hudson family living on the infamous Canterbury Estate in Bradford. “Our Vinnie” follows the story of Vincent ‘Vinnie’ McKellan, son of June Mckellan (nee Hudson) through his troubled teenage years through to a life of more harden crime and violence.
This is not the sort of book I would normally read but seeing that I was asked to review it, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to read something different.
I won’t say it was an enjoyable read because the description of some of crimes committed by Vinnie are quite horrendous as are the crimes of those around him. The language was very strong but I think as I progressed with the book I just became immune to it.
Although it is a story of crime and criminal behaviour, it also has sad undertones because it shows how the state and those who were meant to be protecting children also failed. I am not sure that in today’s society, 40 years on, the state would let these children down as much as they did some of the characters in the book.
I don’t think I will be reading the next two books about other members of the Hudson family as this book was a bit repetitive so I just know the next two books will be much of the same.
If you are a big fan of true crime books then you will probably love this book – if not (like me) then don’t bother.
This is not the sort of book I would normally read but seeing that I was asked to review it, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to read something different.
I won’t say it was an enjoyable read because the description of some of crimes committed by Vinnie are quite horrendous as are the crimes of those around him. The language was very strong but I think as I progressed with the book I just became immune to it.
Although it is a story of crime and criminal behaviour, it also has sad undertones because it shows how the state and those who were meant to be protecting children also failed. I am not sure that in today’s society, 40 years on, the state would let these children down as much as they did some of the characters in the book.
I don’t think I will be reading the next two books about other members of the Hudson family as this book was a bit repetitive so I just know the next two books will be much of the same.
If you are a big fan of true crime books then you will probably love this book – if not (like me) then don’t bother.
November 8, 2014
I was lucky enough to get this book from http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ just as it came out.
I really enjoyed reading about Vinnie and his family, and the responsibility that Vinnie felt for his family was understandable albeit way over the top.
Vinnie is 14 when the book starts and is indicative of the era, getting into trouble, fighting and general rowdiness.He ends up in borstal and it doesnt calm him down it just makes him more of an angry young man. The things he encounters in there just give him more of a tale to tell. The family left behind carry on but his little sister Josie has a very unwelcome thing happen to her and she finds no one to talk to. Her older sister is a drug addict with 3 chilkdren of her own and her mum worships the ground Vinnie walks on, as for her dad he might as well not be there at all. She knows her big brother can't ever find out as he would just get into more 'bother'.Vinnie will take revenge though but not in the right area. I loved this book and could see Vinnie in his own way was protecting his little sister and the was Julie Shaw has written it does take you back to the 1970's when things were so different. I would think that anyone who reads Martina Cole or Mandasue Heller will love this book and I cant wait for the next one.
I really enjoyed reading about Vinnie and his family, and the responsibility that Vinnie felt for his family was understandable albeit way over the top.
Vinnie is 14 when the book starts and is indicative of the era, getting into trouble, fighting and general rowdiness.He ends up in borstal and it doesnt calm him down it just makes him more of an angry young man. The things he encounters in there just give him more of a tale to tell. The family left behind carry on but his little sister Josie has a very unwelcome thing happen to her and she finds no one to talk to. Her older sister is a drug addict with 3 chilkdren of her own and her mum worships the ground Vinnie walks on, as for her dad he might as well not be there at all. She knows her big brother can't ever find out as he would just get into more 'bother'.Vinnie will take revenge though but not in the right area. I loved this book and could see Vinnie in his own way was protecting his little sister and the was Julie Shaw has written it does take you back to the 1970's when things were so different. I would think that anyone who reads Martina Cole or Mandasue Heller will love this book and I cant wait for the next one.
August 5, 2016
Oh. My. God. This book is utter shite. “Vinnie was almost hysterical by now, but it didn't appease her. She might be small but she was as nasty as fuck when she started, and boy, did she feel like starting now.” This is exactly the kind of writing I'd read and groan about in my Creative Writing courses at the university when someone else handed me their work. Julie Shaw wrote a bunch of books about her criminal family from Yorkshire (UK) and this is the first one I've had the displeasure of reading. I couldn't get past the first 20 pages because the entire book consists of amateurish passages like this one: “June was excited. So excited that it was like something bubbling away inside her. She drew the curtains in the living room and piled coal on the fire, dancing round the room as she went. Warmth. It was like a drug, to have such coal in such quantity. It made such a change to be able to come out of the bathroom and get dressed without shivering her tits off.” The fact that I even spent 2 pounds buying this book from a charity store is a crime in and of itself -- Julie Shaw of the notorious Yorkshire Crime Family robbed me.
February 5, 2017
This was a Goodreads giveaway so thanks to Hannah and Goodreads.
True crime is not my normal choice of reading, and I found this quite grim and the descriptions of violence are too graphic for my taste. It is a story of crime, drugs and violence on an inner city estate of the 1970s. The central character, Vinnie, is intelligent and sharp, but gets into trouble and is sent to an approved school. The book follows what happens to his sisters in his absence, and how Vinnie takes his own revenge on those who harm his family.
The book races along quite well, it is a quick but not an easy read. The author does well in bringing out the social history of the time, the failure of the institutions to deal with social issues, and also the mindset of those living on the estate. The constant bad language and violence is gritty and realistic, but it's not really my cup of tea so I probably won't read any more in the series. However, if you like this kind of crime writing, then you would find this a compelling example of the genre.
True crime is not my normal choice of reading, and I found this quite grim and the descriptions of violence are too graphic for my taste. It is a story of crime, drugs and violence on an inner city estate of the 1970s. The central character, Vinnie, is intelligent and sharp, but gets into trouble and is sent to an approved school. The book follows what happens to his sisters in his absence, and how Vinnie takes his own revenge on those who harm his family.
The book races along quite well, it is a quick but not an easy read. The author does well in bringing out the social history of the time, the failure of the institutions to deal with social issues, and also the mindset of those living on the estate. The constant bad language and violence is gritty and realistic, but it's not really my cup of tea so I probably won't read any more in the series. However, if you like this kind of crime writing, then you would find this a compelling example of the genre.
November 17, 2014
This Book popped through my letter box from Lovereading.co.uk. I was interested as I lived in West Yorkshire about 20 years ago, I had heard of this family and knew something of the story but was not sure this would be a pleasant read.
I read this in the context this occurred about 40 years ago, time and society have moved on. I found it gritty as I expected to, but there was the Yorkshire humour there too. Bradford did have its crime back then. This is about the Hudson family living on the famous Canterbury estate.
This is about family and taking the law into their own hands.
Families stick together and it is about getting even with the person who raped his sister.
The book was well written by the author and I wanted to read to the end, sadly this did appear to end abruptly but as this is book 1, the story will follow on and I have to admit I want to know the other parts of the story and this family.
I read this in the context this occurred about 40 years ago, time and society have moved on. I found it gritty as I expected to, but there was the Yorkshire humour there too. Bradford did have its crime back then. This is about the Hudson family living on the famous Canterbury estate.
This is about family and taking the law into their own hands.
Families stick together and it is about getting even with the person who raped his sister.
The book was well written by the author and I wanted to read to the end, sadly this did appear to end abruptly but as this is book 1, the story will follow on and I have to admit I want to know the other parts of the story and this family.
February 27, 2015
Set in the 70's on Canterbury estate Bradford vinnie who is 14 years old is in trouble for stealing which he lies to his mother but I think she really knows what he is upto. Vinnie is sent away to an approved school and Brighton to his mothers dismay and younger sister josie. Something happens to Jodie which she did not expect and hides it from her parents but her mother is a bit suspicious about the way she is acting convinced it is something more than her brother going away. Titch has a hard life mother seems to care more for vinnie than her and doesn't seem to notice anything that happens to her. Lindsay is into drugs and and doesn't care much about her kids welfare as drugs are her main thing. Vinnie is in and out of trouble and I must admit I had to skim over some of the things he did as a bit to violent for me. Did really enjoy the book and would recommend people to read.
February 2, 2015
I was sent a copy of 'Our Vinnie' by Lovereading in return for an honest review. It is Book 1 in a trilogy by Julie Shaw, who from the family tree in the front of the book identifies herself as belonging to a notorious Yorkshire crime family. If I was to categorise it I'd say it is Martina Cole-lite, it's an undemanding , easy read, highlighting how easy it is to fall into a life of crime mostly by coming from an impoverished background. It's not badly written, it reads liek a gossip with a friend and the voices come through very well. However, various plot points which I won't spoil don't seem to ring true, there's leaping forward in time that doesn't match with the storyline(as if they were running out of time and trying to wrap it up). it's not a bad book but I'd probably not buy the sequels , borrow from the library, but not buy as I'd not read them more than once.
January 26, 2015
This is a gripping and alledgedly true story of Vinnie who is a 13 year old tearaway from the Canterbury estate in Bradford.
His outlook is bleak and the circumstances that see him in jail repeatedly are ones we could relate to, as are many of the scenes for anyone growing up in the 1970s.
I found it a fascinating read, and had empathy for Vinnie despite my life being very far removed from his, there but for the grace of God.......
His outlook is bleak and the circumstances that see him in jail repeatedly are ones we could relate to, as are many of the scenes for anyone growing up in the 1970s.
I found it a fascinating read, and had empathy for Vinnie despite my life being very far removed from his, there but for the grace of God.......
August 25, 2016
I wasn't sure how I would get on with this book as it explained that Julie had written about her family, so I was guessing it was more fact than fiction. However, I need not of worried, I enjoyed reading the story of Vinnie, his family and friends. Some parts were certainly an eye-opener and I feel that Julie told the story in an honest and very down to earth kind of way. I will certainly be moving on to the next in the series.
February 3, 2015
this book should have been called "our titch" because the first 3/4 is all about her pretty much? only the last 1/4 really connects to vinnie?? i did enjoy it but based on the title and blurb, this is not what I expected
August 8, 2016
A compelling read.
An insight into the world of tragedy crime and loyalty. Vinnie is a protect Dr through and through .
If you are unsure.....just read it will keep you hooked. I'm off to start the second book
An insight into the world of tragedy crime and loyalty. Vinnie is a protect Dr through and through .
If you are unsure.....just read it will keep you hooked. I'm off to start the second book
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