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Slum Boy
'ONE OF THE MOST MOVING ACCOUNTS OF NON-FICTION EVER WRITTEN' GUARDIAN
'If you like Shuggie Bain, then Slum Boy is for you' LEMN SISSAY
'A heart-breaking, inspiring read' ALAN CUMMING
'The best book we have ever read' GILBERT & GEORGE
John MacDonald is a four-year-old boy growing up in the slums of Glasgow. His mother is an addict, who leaves him starving in their flat for days at a time.
When a neighbour files a report, John is wrenched away from her and placed into the care system. There, he has experiences he's too young to understand which his eventual adoptive parents silence as he grows into a gay man within the Romani community.
But John dreams of being reunited with his mother and will stop at nothing to find her. Slum Boy is about
how, against all odds, John found a way to his mother and true identity, Juano Diaz.
'Remarkable' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
'Beautiful. I hope it finds a million readers' ANDREW O'HAGAN
'Compulsively readable' PATRICK GALE
In 2024, Juano Diaz was awarded the Pride Awards for LGBTQ+ Heroes Changing the World.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 29, 2024
99 people are currently reading
1362 people want to read
About the author
Juano Diaz
1 book16 followersJuano lives in Wiltshire with his partner David and their son. He is an internationally acclaimed artist and collaborates with many others including Pierre et Giles and Grace Jones. His work has been exhibited in galleries across the world including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Slum Boy A Portrait is his debut memoir.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
March 12, 2024
This book mirrored my own childhood in Glasgow, from birth parents - care - adoption, but thankfully minus the abuse. I therefore immediately connected with Juano’s story in an uncanny way. It felt as if I have been waiting for someone to explain it all, to my satisfaction at any rate. What better reason then to review and highlight its importance to a wider readership?
Juano’s insights are linked throughout his book leading to his final spiritual reunion with his Mother. The following are key extracts to illustrate of how he went about it.
I) His experience of need when in the children’s home “Even though I am being fed at the children’s home; the need to get more sits in the cave of me”(page 56);
ii) Adoption with the MacDonald’s. Being separated from his Granny MacDonald whom he loves: “You spend all your time over there and none with your family (Juano’s adoptive mother). So I hide away, locked in my new bedroom (page 123);
iii) Meeting Hannah his half-sister who describes his earlier life. “ I can feel my bloodline mystery unravelling with every question she answers” ( page 178);
iv) On hearing his Birth Mother is in a coma : “ I know my search is over. I have found my mother, not in life , but in death”(page 219).
In sum, Juano has described how he became a person with a true identity. I point the reader to other reviews which elaborate on this in more detail.
Juano’s insights are linked throughout his book leading to his final spiritual reunion with his Mother. The following are key extracts to illustrate of how he went about it.
I) His experience of need when in the children’s home “Even though I am being fed at the children’s home; the need to get more sits in the cave of me”(page 56);
ii) Adoption with the MacDonald’s. Being separated from his Granny MacDonald whom he loves: “You spend all your time over there and none with your family (Juano’s adoptive mother). So I hide away, locked in my new bedroom (page 123);
iii) Meeting Hannah his half-sister who describes his earlier life. “ I can feel my bloodline mystery unravelling with every question she answers” ( page 178);
iv) On hearing his Birth Mother is in a coma : “ I know my search is over. I have found my mother, not in life , but in death”(page 219).
In sum, Juano has described how he became a person with a true identity. I point the reader to other reviews which elaborate on this in more detail.
February 28, 2024
John is just four when he enters the Scottish care system as a result of neglect from his alcoholic mother. His life changes forever, uprooted from the only world he knows and placed in a children’s home where he waits patiently for his mother’s visits. And is often disappointed.
From there he gets adopted and begins a whole new life with a new family within the Romany Gypsy community. But trouble and tragedy are never far away and thoughts if his biological family often linger.
Yes this is certainly a moving story, one that will certainly tug at your heartstrings - but it’s also one of success. Slum Boy is about one lost little boy who eventually grew up to be a successful young man, leaving his past behind as best he could. Understandably, there’s a hell of a lot of pain and angst along the way, as John tries to work out who is he is and what he wants, whilst still hanging onto the ties that bind him to his biological family - and his adoptive family.
It’s an incredibly evocative memoir, the sense of poverty and despair is huge and at times difficult to read. But despite that I found it hugely compelling and inspiring to hear the author’s recollections and step into his world. SlumBoy is a book that will definitely stay with you.
From there he gets adopted and begins a whole new life with a new family within the Romany Gypsy community. But trouble and tragedy are never far away and thoughts if his biological family often linger.
Yes this is certainly a moving story, one that will certainly tug at your heartstrings - but it’s also one of success. Slum Boy is about one lost little boy who eventually grew up to be a successful young man, leaving his past behind as best he could. Understandably, there’s a hell of a lot of pain and angst along the way, as John tries to work out who is he is and what he wants, whilst still hanging onto the ties that bind him to his biological family - and his adoptive family.
It’s an incredibly evocative memoir, the sense of poverty and despair is huge and at times difficult to read. But despite that I found it hugely compelling and inspiring to hear the author’s recollections and step into his world. SlumBoy is a book that will definitely stay with you.
October 3, 2024
I can appreciate what this book was trying to do but the writing was clunky and stilted.
Glad the author is at peace now - he went through some tragedy.
Glad the author is at peace now - he went through some tragedy.
October 5, 2024
started so well, ended so blandly
edit: just as a heads up, you can appreciate and have sympathy for someone's trauma and life story and still not gel with the writing! that's all this is!
edit: just as a heads up, you can appreciate and have sympathy for someone's trauma and life story and still not gel with the writing! that's all this is!
October 5, 2024
This one is for my good friend Howard since I know he’s watching.
I don’t typically enjoy books written from a child’s perspective but this one pleasantly surprised me. The author’s struggle to maintain a healthy relationship with his birth mother particularly resonated with me.
I don’t typically enjoy books written from a child’s perspective but this one pleasantly surprised me. The author’s struggle to maintain a healthy relationship with his birth mother particularly resonated with me.
May 20, 2024
I couldn’t put it down. I unfortunately don’t usually take the time to write reviews, but this deserved it. A masterpiece.
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February 16, 2025So hard to read, heartbreaking and bittersweet
March 7, 2024
John is four-year-old and is living with his mother, he never knew his father a South African. John's mother goes out one day and doesn't come back, a neighbour makes a call which ends in John being adopted by a Traveller Catholic and Romany family, where he's taken from Glasgow to the countryside. At school John doesn't like all his lessons, so skips them, but Norma a teacher sees something in him. It's not long before John is working with his adopted father in the scrap yard. It's not long before John's only escape is Glasgow School of Art and the gay bars in the city. But what has the future got instore for John? I don't like saying to much and given anything away. This book is full with emotions, some are really heartbreaking. There is everything in this book, alcoholism, poverty, homeless, trauma, neglect and more. I read this book in one sitting as it gripped me from the start. Highly recommend.
February 29, 2024
Grabbed this on a whim when I saw it was set in Glasgow. Totally not what I normally read and even after reading the blurb not what I expected.
Randomly before I started reading it I read a post online asking “what book have you read that made you cry”. I laughed and thought I don’t remember a book ever making me cry. I cried, more than once. My family returned home for the day & I told them I’d spent the afternoon reading this book. I cried again and then once more. Maybe it was because some of it resonated with me but I have decided because of this it definitely deserves 5 stars.
Randomly before I started reading it I read a post online asking “what book have you read that made you cry”. I laughed and thought I don’t remember a book ever making me cry. I cried, more than once. My family returned home for the day & I told them I’d spent the afternoon reading this book. I cried again and then once more. Maybe it was because some of it resonated with me but I have decided because of this it definitely deserves 5 stars.
May 29, 2024
Cried. Unheard of!
October 27, 2024
It’s hard to review a book that is so personal, and candid and often very very sad. You feel like you are peeping through a keyhole observing this painfully honest story and think at times you should be looking away. But as the sad bits quieten, incredible things do occur and you learn so much about the people and organisations that are there to help those in need. Juano , with the help of others at times, but mostly by his own resilience and curiosity and talent in art, pushes himself through such excruciatingly sad experiences and you fall in love with him at 4 and then all over again as he comes of age. I am fully aware of the extremities of post industrialisation poverty that ravaged too many areas of Scotland- my family are from the tenements of west end Glasgow - so reading this felt even more close to home- knowing the absolute hardship of so many are only a few miles away. I woke up this morning thinking about how so many children in the UK are still so neglected , suffering in squalor and poverty and this book really does a great job at describing every single aspect of struggle.
Yes, there’s a happy ending , but that is rare. A story full of strength , amazing characters who are all real, and such a sense of sibling love, and great friendships from all ages; old people really can be such a wise and hopeful beacon of experience and strength. And lastly, that art and escaping into something you love - can ultimately be the saviour of you.
Thank you Juano for sharing your story.
Yes, there’s a happy ending , but that is rare. A story full of strength , amazing characters who are all real, and such a sense of sibling love, and great friendships from all ages; old people really can be such a wise and hopeful beacon of experience and strength. And lastly, that art and escaping into something you love - can ultimately be the saviour of you.
Thank you Juano for sharing your story.
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August 31, 2024I don’t like to give non fiction ratings but this is one of my favourite books of 2024!!!
You know when you start a book and instantly know this book is for you. When the first few lines are hard hitting and you feel immersed immediately… Slum Boy was that book for me. If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know I don’t like to give star ratings for non-fiction but believe me when I say I thought this was an incredible memoir.
Slum Boy is a heartbreaking story of a little boy taken into the Scottish care system when his Mum is no longer capable of taking care of him. We follow his life, through the ups and downs as he makes his way back to his Mum and his true identity.
As the quote on the front of the book says, if you liked Shuggie Bain you will most definitely “enjoy” this book. The scene is easily set within the council estates of Glasgow and the poverty within the city, with themes of drugs, drink, abuse and crime. I’d say my heart broke within the first few sentences of this book, but the writing is also so beautiful. Slum Boy is tender, raw and Juano has completely opened himself up to the reader. One thing that’s amazing about humans is their ability to persevere. I really loved the use of the Glaswegian dialect, it always adds an extra layer to the story and was a lightness in some darker places.
You know when you start a book and instantly know this book is for you. When the first few lines are hard hitting and you feel immersed immediately… Slum Boy was that book for me. If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know I don’t like to give star ratings for non-fiction but believe me when I say I thought this was an incredible memoir.
Slum Boy is a heartbreaking story of a little boy taken into the Scottish care system when his Mum is no longer capable of taking care of him. We follow his life, through the ups and downs as he makes his way back to his Mum and his true identity.
As the quote on the front of the book says, if you liked Shuggie Bain you will most definitely “enjoy” this book. The scene is easily set within the council estates of Glasgow and the poverty within the city, with themes of drugs, drink, abuse and crime. I’d say my heart broke within the first few sentences of this book, but the writing is also so beautiful. Slum Boy is tender, raw and Juano has completely opened himself up to the reader. One thing that’s amazing about humans is their ability to persevere. I really loved the use of the Glaswegian dialect, it always adds an extra layer to the story and was a lightness in some darker places.
February 25, 2024
Fantastic read.
An interesting looking into the Scottish care system for children and the sad reality of growing up in the central belt of scotland where drink and drugs can destroy full families.
A sense of loss and question which can only be understood by a child abandoned by either a single parent or both wanting to know why.
An interesting looking into the Scottish care system for children and the sad reality of growing up in the central belt of scotland where drink and drugs can destroy full families.
A sense of loss and question which can only be understood by a child abandoned by either a single parent or both wanting to know why.
March 27, 2024
Devastating, heartbreaking - a tough read but incredibly well written. One of the best memoirs I’ve read, offering a vivid and impressively coherent snapshot of Diaz’s childhood, adolescence and young adult life.
April 21, 2024
Jesus Christ. Broke my heart like 8 times.
May 8, 2024
What a heartbreaking, interesting and beautiful story that was so easy to read-really enjoyed.
June 15, 2024
A beautifully written memoir and a heartbreaking insight into the realities of many children’s lives in care
August 12, 2024
Read the whole thing non stop in like the space of 3 hrs - 5 stars, genuinely
October 3, 2024
I really did feel for the author and how much trauma he faced, however the second half of the book fell away for me which stopped it from getting a higher rating
January 24, 2025
Could not put this down
September 24, 2024
Great memoir based in Glasgow. A young kid who ends up being adopted and trying to fit in. Heartbreaking in many parts. True story.
June 22, 2024
I couldn’t put this book down. This memoir is heartbreaking. Diaz gives reader an honest account of experience of the care system in Glasgow during the 80s. Diaz is able to give real insight into the complexity of his relationship with his birth mother, adoptive parents and siblings. I can’t recommend this book enough.
April 14, 2024
A beautiful & brutal book full of life’s memories, events, relationships, drama, grief & moving forward, it’s a portrait of the life of Juano Diaz, poignantly written with waves of emotion which you’ll ride from start to finish, leaving you wanting more, highly recommended!
February 24, 2025
Phenomenal memoir.
May 20, 2025
3.5/4
This was a heartbreaking read. I’m always conscious about reviewing memoirs as it’s hard to critique a plot that’s based on someone’s life! I met Diaz at the Paisley Book fest and got a signed copy of his book after hearing him discuss it.
The good points: beautifully honest storytelling, Diaz compellingly wrote about the complexity of loving family members that can’t love you in the way you need. I also think he did a good job of writing people empathetically, taking time to explain that many of these people were deeply flawed but not evil (with a couple of notable and correct exemptions).
My one critique is that I’m not sure what the overall message or point was. The story was seemingly about Diaz finding his mother but the plot felt convoluted with other narratives about sexuality, homelessness, and the struggle of identity as someone with experience of care and adoption. I think the latter was actually the more compelling theme but it felt watered down with the authors clear intent to talk about his birth mother. I also feel there was more to be clarified and explored with his relationship with his adoptive mother - was I supposed to like her? Hate her? Love her? It was quite confusing.
All this being said, this is why I struggle to review memoirs - life is messy and naturally memoirs are too.
Overall though, lovely wee book. Will look out for the next instalment!
This was a heartbreaking read. I’m always conscious about reviewing memoirs as it’s hard to critique a plot that’s based on someone’s life! I met Diaz at the Paisley Book fest and got a signed copy of his book after hearing him discuss it.
The good points: beautifully honest storytelling, Diaz compellingly wrote about the complexity of loving family members that can’t love you in the way you need. I also think he did a good job of writing people empathetically, taking time to explain that many of these people were deeply flawed but not evil (with a couple of notable and correct exemptions).
My one critique is that I’m not sure what the overall message or point was. The story was seemingly about Diaz finding his mother but the plot felt convoluted with other narratives about sexuality, homelessness, and the struggle of identity as someone with experience of care and adoption. I think the latter was actually the more compelling theme but it felt watered down with the authors clear intent to talk about his birth mother. I also feel there was more to be clarified and explored with his relationship with his adoptive mother - was I supposed to like her? Hate her? Love her? It was quite confusing.
All this being said, this is why I struggle to review memoirs - life is messy and naturally memoirs are too.
Overall though, lovely wee book. Will look out for the next instalment!
June 17, 2025
Wow! What an inspirational story about coming up from hardship and thriving. Diaz’s work was so easy to read, the moment I picked this up I was pulled in.
If you want an inspirational memoir, this one is for you.
Thank you, Mobius Books & Net Galley for a copy of this book!
If you want an inspirational memoir, this one is for you.
Thank you, Mobius Books & Net Galley for a copy of this book!
May 21, 2025
Every page is heartbreaking
December 28, 2025
Made me cry so of course it’s getting a 5 stars! Contrary to some other reviews I really liked the writing here- it was frank, open and honest. Also given it was written in present tense and most of the book was written when he was a child I thought the writing did a good job of conveying the author’s emotions and situating the reader in the story. I love a memoir and this was no exception.
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October 11, 2024Can’t give it a rating. Heartbreaking
May 13, 2024
I really enjoyed the way the author wrote the story in terms of language, the way it progressed representing the child aging.
I am personally not much of a non fiction reader however I was hooked, concerned and finished In 3 days.
I’m glad he finally found peace in life
I am personally not much of a non fiction reader however I was hooked, concerned and finished In 3 days.
I’m glad he finally found peace in life
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews