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The Lie That Changed Everything: The Memoir of a Little Rascal
From the award-winning author of The Hate Screaming in the Silence comes a wickedly funny and unexpectedly moving memoir of childhood guilt, globetrotting mishaps, and one truly terrible lie.
The Lie That Changed Everything is the story of a boy who was made to swear a lie on his father’s life, dreamed of his death, and witnessed it happen.
Trew’s story unfolds with unfiltered honesty and laugh-out-loud British humour as he reflects on a childhood marked by chaos, confusion and unexpected moments of grace. Set in the ’60s and ’70s, across RAF bases, hilarious first kisses and a botched “Ten Pound Pom” migration to Australia, the memoir centers on a mum who could scare the devil with her “scriptures” and a war-hero dad, whose reclusiveness left a heartache that humour alone couldn’t fill.
One little rascal. One very big lie. And one funny, unforgettable ride. Perfect for fans of Sedaris, Angela’s Ashes and The Glass Castle; Trew’s tale is as heartbreaking as it is hilarious.
The Lie That Changed Everything is the story of a boy who was made to swear a lie on his father’s life, dreamed of his death, and witnessed it happen.
Trew’s story unfolds with unfiltered honesty and laugh-out-loud British humour as he reflects on a childhood marked by chaos, confusion and unexpected moments of grace. Set in the ’60s and ’70s, across RAF bases, hilarious first kisses and a botched “Ten Pound Pom” migration to Australia, the memoir centers on a mum who could scare the devil with her “scriptures” and a war-hero dad, whose reclusiveness left a heartache that humour alone couldn’t fill.
One little rascal. One very big lie. And one funny, unforgettable ride. Perfect for fans of Sedaris, Angela’s Ashes and The Glass Castle; Trew’s tale is as heartbreaking as it is hilarious.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
Gary Trew
9 books13 followersEven though Gary has lived in Canada for over twenty years, his close friends and work colleagues still call him “that funny British guy” due to his accent and quick-witted sense of humour. He has successfully navigated careers in the police, the ministry, and in social work. His work as an investigator with abused and neglected children and youth has taught him the value of laughter in the face of life’s challenges.
Gary holds degrees in chemistry & biochemistry, and social work. He has a deep affection for Marmite, sunshine, spicy food, and Cadbury’s chocolate. Additionally, he is a dedicated fan of the Brighton & Hove Albion football club and Vancouver Canucks.
Gary added another feather to his cap by publishing a humorous crime fiction book under his pen name, Denny Darke. The book, The Man with the Pink Sombrero,’is a testament to Gary’s creative side and ability to find humour in unexpected scenarios.
Gary holds degrees in chemistry & biochemistry, and social work. He has a deep affection for Marmite, sunshine, spicy food, and Cadbury’s chocolate. Additionally, he is a dedicated fan of the Brighton & Hove Albion football club and Vancouver Canucks.
Gary added another feather to his cap by publishing a humorous crime fiction book under his pen name, Denny Darke. The book, The Man with the Pink Sombrero,’is a testament to Gary’s creative side and ability to find humour in unexpected scenarios.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 14, 2025
Comical memoirs of youth can be inspiring, and if you’re ever on a cross-country flight, some light-hearted, David Sedaris-style wit and humor is great reading. Gary Trew’s very funny tales of his childhood as the son of an RAF officer, Dennis Trew, who served as a navigator and tail gunner in World War II, offer a lot of the same sense of humor and insight, often pulled from family life. However, there’s a dark and brooding sense of guilt pervading the book. You see, the author believed, for a time at least, that a lie he once told as a boy was responsible for his father’s death.
In The Lie That Changed Everything: The Memoir of a Little Rascal, Trew gives us a loving portrait of a caring family that is outrageously hilarious, even sometimes scatological, all while showing us how humor created strong bonds and a deep sense of love and respect for his father, who passed all too soon.
An ever-present love of the comic runs through the narrative, and it comes bursting out in moments of acerbic wit and absurd recollections of daily family life. Right off the bat, Gary knows he’s in for some teasing, and he’s not at all eager, as he floats there in his amniotic bliss, to be “wrenched from the cozy haven” he’s experiencing.
And does he ever get a baptism of fire…
Treated to monikers such as “fish face” and “blockhead,” he learns right away what it means to be born into a comic family. His mom gets in the best quip: “He takes after his uncle, the one with hydrocephalus, whose brain exploded while making a cup of tea.” Although born in a Rutland Hospital in Stamford, Lincolnshire, the family is not upper crust, or at least they do not present as such.
As I said, they are essentially a troupe of good-natured nutters, and sometimes engage in the most scatological of exchanges. His mom might blare at young Gary while he’s coming out of the bathroom: “Did you pull back your foreskin and clean your willy?” She even goes so far as to give one of his teachers a good thrashing. After hearing that her son received a caning at school, she returns to the campus and gives a walloping to the instructor who dished out the initial beating. With the same cane. I quite liked that, having come from a generation that was all full of school principals ready to employ the stick instead of the carrot.
This story is not all gumdrops and sunshine, and that point is driven home first, and in harrowing fashion, when we learn of how Gary’s mom was abandoned, brutally, by her mother, who left a goodbye note that told her now-orphaned kids it was time for Mom to get her groove on, more or less. The darkest parts, however, are the author’s ruminations over the culpability he feels when he swears on his father’s life, which later haunts him as he comes to believe that this has caused his death.
The above is no spoiler, and in fact, the Amazon blurb includes this information in the summary. That’s because it’s not the endpoint. The author uses the experience and, in fact, produces this courageous work in order to face these complex feelings, and in doing so, he leaves us a loving and comic memoir of his family that is at once lighthearted and bittersweet. I found it a very funny and very enjoyable read.
Trew, who ends up helping others in the end by becoming a social worker, has been able to heal and make a difference. When others do this and share these insights with us, it can help us do the same. Ultimately, The Lie That Changed Everything by Gary Trew resonated with me deeply, for my own father left me with a love of the comic and ridiculous, and I think it is a powerful means of dealing with and making sense of the world. I believe that it can serve us in good stead when we’re facing life’s most absurd injustices.
In The Lie That Changed Everything: The Memoir of a Little Rascal, Trew gives us a loving portrait of a caring family that is outrageously hilarious, even sometimes scatological, all while showing us how humor created strong bonds and a deep sense of love and respect for his father, who passed all too soon.
An ever-present love of the comic runs through the narrative, and it comes bursting out in moments of acerbic wit and absurd recollections of daily family life. Right off the bat, Gary knows he’s in for some teasing, and he’s not at all eager, as he floats there in his amniotic bliss, to be “wrenched from the cozy haven” he’s experiencing.
And does he ever get a baptism of fire…
Treated to monikers such as “fish face” and “blockhead,” he learns right away what it means to be born into a comic family. His mom gets in the best quip: “He takes after his uncle, the one with hydrocephalus, whose brain exploded while making a cup of tea.” Although born in a Rutland Hospital in Stamford, Lincolnshire, the family is not upper crust, or at least they do not present as such.
As I said, they are essentially a troupe of good-natured nutters, and sometimes engage in the most scatological of exchanges. His mom might blare at young Gary while he’s coming out of the bathroom: “Did you pull back your foreskin and clean your willy?” She even goes so far as to give one of his teachers a good thrashing. After hearing that her son received a caning at school, she returns to the campus and gives a walloping to the instructor who dished out the initial beating. With the same cane. I quite liked that, having come from a generation that was all full of school principals ready to employ the stick instead of the carrot.
This story is not all gumdrops and sunshine, and that point is driven home first, and in harrowing fashion, when we learn of how Gary’s mom was abandoned, brutally, by her mother, who left a goodbye note that told her now-orphaned kids it was time for Mom to get her groove on, more or less. The darkest parts, however, are the author’s ruminations over the culpability he feels when he swears on his father’s life, which later haunts him as he comes to believe that this has caused his death.
The above is no spoiler, and in fact, the Amazon blurb includes this information in the summary. That’s because it’s not the endpoint. The author uses the experience and, in fact, produces this courageous work in order to face these complex feelings, and in doing so, he leaves us a loving and comic memoir of his family that is at once lighthearted and bittersweet. I found it a very funny and very enjoyable read.
Trew, who ends up helping others in the end by becoming a social worker, has been able to heal and make a difference. When others do this and share these insights with us, it can help us do the same. Ultimately, The Lie That Changed Everything by Gary Trew resonated with me deeply, for my own father left me with a love of the comic and ridiculous, and I think it is a powerful means of dealing with and making sense of the world. I believe that it can serve us in good stead when we’re facing life’s most absurd injustices.
December 29, 2025
I picked up The Lie That Changed Everything expecting a humorous memoir, something light to read in short bursts. What I got instead was a deeply moving, laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly emotional account of childhood, family, and the quiet guilt that can follow us into adulthood. Gary Trew has a way of making even the most painful memories feel approachable without ever minimizing their impact.
The humor is unmistakably British and wonderfully sharp. From the nicknames to the absurd family exchanges, I found myself laughing constantly. But what really impressed me was how seamlessly the comedy coexists with darker themes. The author’s belief that a childhood lie somehow caused his father’s death is explored with honesty and vulnerability. Rather than feeling dramatic or exaggerated, it felt painfully real, the kind of guilt many people carry in different forms.
By the end of the book, I felt emotionally full. This memoir doesn’t just entertain; it reflects something universal about how children interpret responsibility and how families pass down love in imperfect ways. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys memoirs that are both hilarious and deeply human.
The humor is unmistakably British and wonderfully sharp. From the nicknames to the absurd family exchanges, I found myself laughing constantly. But what really impressed me was how seamlessly the comedy coexists with darker themes. The author’s belief that a childhood lie somehow caused his father’s death is explored with honesty and vulnerability. Rather than feeling dramatic or exaggerated, it felt painfully real, the kind of guilt many people carry in different forms.
By the end of the book, I felt emotionally full. This memoir doesn’t just entertain; it reflects something universal about how children interpret responsibility and how families pass down love in imperfect ways. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys memoirs that are both hilarious and deeply human.
December 29, 2025
Some memoirs ask for sympathy. This one earns respect. The Lie That Changed Everything is a fearless excavation of childhood, memory, and consequence, told by an author who understands that humor is not the opposite of pain but often its closest companion. Gary Trew writes with a razor-sharp wit that never dulls the seriousness of what he reveals. Instead, it sharpens it. From the startlingly funny account of his own birth; complete with affectionate but merciless family nicknames to the central lie that shadows the narrative, Trew makes it clear that nothing about his story will be simple, sanitized, or safe.
What struck me most is how the book balances chaos and control. Trew’s childhood feels unruly, emotionally loud, and morally confusing, yet the author’s adult voice guides us with clarity and intention. His family portraits are unforgettable: a grandmother whose abandonment echoes through generations, a mother whose love is fierce and overwhelming in equal measure, and a father whose silence speaks volumes about war, masculinity, and unspoken suffering. These are not caricatures. They are flawed, breathing people, rendered with honesty and restraint.
The humor here is bold, sometimes shocking, but never careless. Trew knows exactly when to let a joke land and when to let the silence stretch. The lie at the heart of the book is not treated as a gimmick or a twist, but as a psychological turning point; an act born of fear, magical thinking, and a child’s misunderstanding of power and consequence. Watching him unravel the emotional weight of that moment is both unsettling and deeply moving.
What also deserves praise is the quality of the writing itself. The prose is clean, confident, and impressively polished. I did not encounter grammatical distractions or awkward phrasing that pulled me out of the story. The reading experience flowed smoothly, allowing the emotional impact to build naturally without interruption. That kind of technical control matters, especially in memoir, where the voice must feel intimate and trustworthy.
I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate memoirs that refuse easy redemption arcs, to those interested in intergenerational trauma, and to anyone who believes laughter can coexist with grief. This is not a comforting book, but it is an honest one and it lingers long after the final page.
What struck me most is how the book balances chaos and control. Trew’s childhood feels unruly, emotionally loud, and morally confusing, yet the author’s adult voice guides us with clarity and intention. His family portraits are unforgettable: a grandmother whose abandonment echoes through generations, a mother whose love is fierce and overwhelming in equal measure, and a father whose silence speaks volumes about war, masculinity, and unspoken suffering. These are not caricatures. They are flawed, breathing people, rendered with honesty and restraint.
The humor here is bold, sometimes shocking, but never careless. Trew knows exactly when to let a joke land and when to let the silence stretch. The lie at the heart of the book is not treated as a gimmick or a twist, but as a psychological turning point; an act born of fear, magical thinking, and a child’s misunderstanding of power and consequence. Watching him unravel the emotional weight of that moment is both unsettling and deeply moving.
What also deserves praise is the quality of the writing itself. The prose is clean, confident, and impressively polished. I did not encounter grammatical distractions or awkward phrasing that pulled me out of the story. The reading experience flowed smoothly, allowing the emotional impact to build naturally without interruption. That kind of technical control matters, especially in memoir, where the voice must feel intimate and trustworthy.
I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate memoirs that refuse easy redemption arcs, to those interested in intergenerational trauma, and to anyone who believes laughter can coexist with grief. This is not a comforting book, but it is an honest one and it lingers long after the final page.
September 10, 2025
From the first page, Gary Trew makes it clear this is no sugarcoated stroll down memory lane. The Lie That Changed Everything is a memoir that blends sharp humor, biting honesty, and painful recollections into a story that feels both chaotic and deeply human. Trew recounts his early years with a mix of wit and grit, pulling readers through family dysfunction, childhood scrapes, and the bruising aftermath of being raised in a world where love often arrived tangled in trauma. It’s a tale of survival told with an irreverent laugh, even as it shines a light on moments of loneliness, rejection, and heartbreak.
I was taken in almost immediately by Trew’s voice. His writing has a rhythm that swings between wild comedy and gut-punch sadness, and that constant shift kept me hooked. Some chapters had me laughing at his absurd family stories, while others had me pausing to let the weight of what he endured sink in. The mix is unusual, but it works. He doesn’t let the pain take over, and he doesn’t let the jokes cheapen the truth either. At times, I found myself frustrated with the sheer cruelty he describes, but then he’d toss in a line of dark humor, and it felt like sitting in a pub listening to a mate tell a story he can only tell because he survived it.
There were moments where the writing felt a little jagged, but that roughness actually added to the authenticity. It made me feel like I was being trusted with unpolished truths rather than a neatly packaged memoir. I also found myself admiring his willingness to talk about shame, resentment, and fear without dressing them up. His honesty struck me as both brave and disarming. The book reminded me that family histories are rarely tidy, and sometimes the best way to survive them is to laugh at the madness and keep moving forward.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I felt both drained and strangely uplifted. This isn’t a book for someone who wants a gentle or inspirational memoir. It’s for people who appreciate raw honesty, gallows humor, and the messy beauty of a life that didn’t follow the script. If you’ve ever grown up feeling like the odd one out, or if you’re drawn to stories that reveal both the scars and the resilience of childhood, this book will resonate.
I was taken in almost immediately by Trew’s voice. His writing has a rhythm that swings between wild comedy and gut-punch sadness, and that constant shift kept me hooked. Some chapters had me laughing at his absurd family stories, while others had me pausing to let the weight of what he endured sink in. The mix is unusual, but it works. He doesn’t let the pain take over, and he doesn’t let the jokes cheapen the truth either. At times, I found myself frustrated with the sheer cruelty he describes, but then he’d toss in a line of dark humor, and it felt like sitting in a pub listening to a mate tell a story he can only tell because he survived it.
There were moments where the writing felt a little jagged, but that roughness actually added to the authenticity. It made me feel like I was being trusted with unpolished truths rather than a neatly packaged memoir. I also found myself admiring his willingness to talk about shame, resentment, and fear without dressing them up. His honesty struck me as both brave and disarming. The book reminded me that family histories are rarely tidy, and sometimes the best way to survive them is to laugh at the madness and keep moving forward.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I felt both drained and strangely uplifted. This isn’t a book for someone who wants a gentle or inspirational memoir. It’s for people who appreciate raw honesty, gallows humor, and the messy beauty of a life that didn’t follow the script. If you’ve ever grown up feeling like the odd one out, or if you’re drawn to stories that reveal both the scars and the resilience of childhood, this book will resonate.
December 29, 2025
This is one of those books that sneaks up on you. You think you’re settling in for a witty childhood memoir filled with eccentric relatives and British humor and you get that but you also get something far deeper and more unsettling. The Lie That Changed Everything is a masterclass in tonal control. Gary Trew moves effortlessly between laugh-out-loud absurdity and moments that quietly devastate, often within the same paragraph.
What makes this memoir exceptional is its refusal to simplify the past. Childhood here is not nostalgic or innocent; it is confusing, morally fraught, and emotionally overwhelming. Trew captures that reality perfectly. His younger self is neither hero nor villain, but a child doing what children often do trying to survive emotionally with the limited tools available. The lie that anchors the narrative is not sensationalized; instead, it is examined with psychological depth and painful self-awareness.
The family dynamics are some of the most compelling I’ve read in recent memoir. His mother’s intensity, shaped by her own inheritance of abandonment and fear, feels both loving and frightening. His father’s emotional distance is portrayed with tenderness rather than resentment, allowing readers to see how war and silence can shape a man long after the battlefield is gone. These relationships feel lived-in, not dramatized.
I was particularly impressed by the pacing and structure. The book never drags, despite its emotional weight. The prose is tight, readable, and free of grammatical issues, which allowed me to remain fully immersed in the story. It’s clear the author respects his reader enough to deliver a polished, thoughtful narrative rather than relying solely on shocking content.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy memoirs that challenge them; those who appreciate uncomfortable truths, sharp humor, and emotional complexity. It’s especially suited for readers interested in psychology, family systems, and the long shadows childhood casts over adult life. This is a memoir that doesn’t ask to be liked; it asks to be understood. Deserves all the 5 stars in the world!
What makes this memoir exceptional is its refusal to simplify the past. Childhood here is not nostalgic or innocent; it is confusing, morally fraught, and emotionally overwhelming. Trew captures that reality perfectly. His younger self is neither hero nor villain, but a child doing what children often do trying to survive emotionally with the limited tools available. The lie that anchors the narrative is not sensationalized; instead, it is examined with psychological depth and painful self-awareness.
The family dynamics are some of the most compelling I’ve read in recent memoir. His mother’s intensity, shaped by her own inheritance of abandonment and fear, feels both loving and frightening. His father’s emotional distance is portrayed with tenderness rather than resentment, allowing readers to see how war and silence can shape a man long after the battlefield is gone. These relationships feel lived-in, not dramatized.
I was particularly impressed by the pacing and structure. The book never drags, despite its emotional weight. The prose is tight, readable, and free of grammatical issues, which allowed me to remain fully immersed in the story. It’s clear the author respects his reader enough to deliver a polished, thoughtful narrative rather than relying solely on shocking content.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy memoirs that challenge them; those who appreciate uncomfortable truths, sharp humor, and emotional complexity. It’s especially suited for readers interested in psychology, family systems, and the long shadows childhood casts over adult life. This is a memoir that doesn’t ask to be liked; it asks to be understood. Deserves all the 5 stars in the world!
December 29, 2025
Gary Trew has written a memoir that feels dangerously alive. The Lie That Changed Everything pulses with energy, contradiction, and emotional honesty. It is a book that understands how memory works not as a clean timeline, but as a collage of sensations, shame, laughter, and regret. Reading it feels less like being told a story and more like being invited into someone’s mind as they finally dare to look backward without flinching.
The opening chapters set the tone brilliantly. Trew’s recounting of his birth and early childhood is hilarious, yes but also revealing. Humor becomes a survival mechanism, a way to assert control over experiences that were confusing or painful at the time. As the narrative deepens, it becomes clear that the central lie is not just an incident but a symbol of how children internalize responsibility for things far beyond their control.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its refusal to villainize or sentimentalize. Family members are presented in full complexity, capable of love and damage in equal measure. The emotional inheritance passed down through generations particularly through women who endured abandonment and loss is explored with empathy rather than judgment.
From a technical standpoint, the writing is strong and assured. The sentences flow naturally, the dialogue feels authentic, and the editing is clean. I never found myself distracted by grammatical errors or awkward phrasing, which allowed the emotional weight of the story to take center stage. This is clearly the work of an author who takes both his craft and his readers seriously.
I would recommend this book to readers who value literary memoirs that engage both heart and intellect. It will resonate with anyone who has wrestled with guilt from childhood, questioned family narratives, or found humor to be both shield and sword. This is not an easy read but it is a rewarding one.
The opening chapters set the tone brilliantly. Trew’s recounting of his birth and early childhood is hilarious, yes but also revealing. Humor becomes a survival mechanism, a way to assert control over experiences that were confusing or painful at the time. As the narrative deepens, it becomes clear that the central lie is not just an incident but a symbol of how children internalize responsibility for things far beyond their control.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its refusal to villainize or sentimentalize. Family members are presented in full complexity, capable of love and damage in equal measure. The emotional inheritance passed down through generations particularly through women who endured abandonment and loss is explored with empathy rather than judgment.
From a technical standpoint, the writing is strong and assured. The sentences flow naturally, the dialogue feels authentic, and the editing is clean. I never found myself distracted by grammatical errors or awkward phrasing, which allowed the emotional weight of the story to take center stage. This is clearly the work of an author who takes both his craft and his readers seriously.
I would recommend this book to readers who value literary memoirs that engage both heart and intellect. It will resonate with anyone who has wrestled with guilt from childhood, questioned family narratives, or found humor to be both shield and sword. This is not an easy read but it is a rewarding one.
August 10, 2025
Foreword (can I have a foreword in a review?)
It probably shouldn’t need me to state this, but If you read this book (and you really should) you absolutely must go straight to ‘The Hate Game’. Not doing so would be akin to missing the last series of Game of Thrones.
In case you need a further nudge in the right direction, read the reviews for ‘The Hate Game’ and you’ll be convinced.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
‘The Lie That Changed Everything’.
The authors foreword is a perfect warning to the reader:
“If you’ve picked up this book expecting a gentle stroll through a rose-
tinted childhood, you may want to quietly back away and choose
something with a pastel cover and a labradoodle on it. This is not that
kind of a story.”
A more quintessentially British account of a young lad growing up in the 60’s and 70’s you will not find. Think fish and chips or Morecambe and Wise or Bank Holiday Monday’s and you’ll get the picture.
As previously mentioned, my admiration for the authors memoir, ‘The Hate Game’ meant that this book was a must. As with his previous publication, I raced through this book in a few days.
Please don’t miss it. You won’t find quotes like these in any other book:
“Pearl Harbour rubbed him the wrong way.”
“Mona married a bloke who was like a dog with two dicks.”
“How did Dad know the man had a hairy arse?”
“Listen here, Bollock-Chops.”
“I had tasted death, and apparently, it was raspberry flavoured.”
“Yes, Lord. Torch them, then and there. Release Thy holy flamethrower and crisp them like one of Dad’s Sunday roasts.”
It would be a cinch to find you plenty more, but you should find them for yourself - and since they start on page one you’ll have no trouble whatsoever.
It probably shouldn’t need me to state this, but If you read this book (and you really should) you absolutely must go straight to ‘The Hate Game’. Not doing so would be akin to missing the last series of Game of Thrones.
In case you need a further nudge in the right direction, read the reviews for ‘The Hate Game’ and you’ll be convinced.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
‘The Lie That Changed Everything’.
The authors foreword is a perfect warning to the reader:
“If you’ve picked up this book expecting a gentle stroll through a rose-
tinted childhood, you may want to quietly back away and choose
something with a pastel cover and a labradoodle on it. This is not that
kind of a story.”
A more quintessentially British account of a young lad growing up in the 60’s and 70’s you will not find. Think fish and chips or Morecambe and Wise or Bank Holiday Monday’s and you’ll get the picture.
As previously mentioned, my admiration for the authors memoir, ‘The Hate Game’ meant that this book was a must. As with his previous publication, I raced through this book in a few days.
Please don’t miss it. You won’t find quotes like these in any other book:
“Pearl Harbour rubbed him the wrong way.”
“Mona married a bloke who was like a dog with two dicks.”
“How did Dad know the man had a hairy arse?”
“Listen here, Bollock-Chops.”
“I had tasted death, and apparently, it was raspberry flavoured.”
“Yes, Lord. Torch them, then and there. Release Thy holy flamethrower and crisp them like one of Dad’s Sunday roasts.”
It would be a cinch to find you plenty more, but you should find them for yourself - and since they start on page one you’ll have no trouble whatsoever.
December 29, 2025
Gary Trew’s book The Lie That Changed Everything: The Memoir of a Little Rascal feels like sitting by a warm fire on a rainy night in old England. You hear stories of a boy growing up in a family full of laughs and tough times. His dad was a brave man from World War II, flying planes and facing danger high in the sky. He came home quiet but strong, and his love showed in small ways, like a pat on the back or a shared joke. Gary tells us about his early days with so much heart. It starts with his birth, a messy one where everyone calls him “fish face” right away. His mom is fierce and funny. She yells things like, “Did you wash under your skin down there?” without a bit of shame. One time, she even grabs the teacher’s stick and hits him back for hurting her boy. That part made me smile big.
But not all is easy fun. Gary’s grandma left her kids, including his mom, with a cold note saying she needed her own life. That hurt runs deep, like a river under the ground. The big shadow in the story is Gary’s lie. As a kid, he swore something false on his dad’s life to get out of trouble. When his dad dies young, Gary thinks he caused it. That guilt eats at him for years. He shares this not to make you sad, but to show how kids blame themselves for big things they can’t control. Through it all, the family uses jokes to hold on. Lines like “Pearl Harbor made him mad in a funny way” or “She married a guy who acted like a dog with extra parts” keep you chuckling even when tears are close.
Gary grows up to help others as a social worker, turning his pain into good. This book touched me because my own dad loved silly stories too. They helped us through hard days. If you like real tales of family, with laughs and lessons, read this. It shows how sharing your mess can make you free. You finish feeling lighter, like you hugged an old friend.
But not all is easy fun. Gary’s grandma left her kids, including his mom, with a cold note saying she needed her own life. That hurt runs deep, like a river under the ground. The big shadow in the story is Gary’s lie. As a kid, he swore something false on his dad’s life to get out of trouble. When his dad dies young, Gary thinks he caused it. That guilt eats at him for years. He shares this not to make you sad, but to show how kids blame themselves for big things they can’t control. Through it all, the family uses jokes to hold on. Lines like “Pearl Harbor made him mad in a funny way” or “She married a guy who acted like a dog with extra parts” keep you chuckling even when tears are close.
Gary grows up to help others as a social worker, turning his pain into good. This book touched me because my own dad loved silly stories too. They helped us through hard days. If you like real tales of family, with laughs and lessons, read this. It shows how sharing your mess can make you free. You finish feeling lighter, like you hugged an old friend.
December 29, 2025
It takes courage to write a memoir like this, and even more courage to write it well. The Lie That Changed Everything succeeds on both fronts. Gary Trew does not soften his memories for comfort, nor does he exploit them for shock value. Instead, he offers a deeply human account of growing up amid emotional volatility, inherited trauma, and the strange logic of childhood guilt.
What astonished me most was how alive the voice feels. Trew writes as someone who has spent years thinking about his past, not to polish it, but to understand it. The humor is biting, sometimes outrageous, yet always purposeful. It becomes a way to survive moments that might otherwise feel unbearable. The lie itself is devastating not because of what it is, but because of what it reveals about fear, loyalty, and a child’s desire to protect those he loves.
The memoir also excels in its emotional intelligence. Trew does not rush to forgiveness or closure. Instead, he allows ambiguity to exist. His parents are neither saints nor monsters; they are products of their time, their histories, and their wounds. This restraint gives the book credibility and depth.
From a reader’s perspective, the experience is smooth and engaging. The writing is clear, well-structured, and free from distracting errors. The narrative flows easily, even when the subject matter is heavy, making it a compelling and immersive read.
I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate memoirs that are honest, complex, and unafraid of discomfort. It’s ideal for those interested in family psychology, post-war identity, and the ways humor can coexist with deep emotional scars. This is a book that stays with you not because it demands attention, but because it earns it.
What astonished me most was how alive the voice feels. Trew writes as someone who has spent years thinking about his past, not to polish it, but to understand it. The humor is biting, sometimes outrageous, yet always purposeful. It becomes a way to survive moments that might otherwise feel unbearable. The lie itself is devastating not because of what it is, but because of what it reveals about fear, loyalty, and a child’s desire to protect those he loves.
The memoir also excels in its emotional intelligence. Trew does not rush to forgiveness or closure. Instead, he allows ambiguity to exist. His parents are neither saints nor monsters; they are products of their time, their histories, and their wounds. This restraint gives the book credibility and depth.
From a reader’s perspective, the experience is smooth and engaging. The writing is clear, well-structured, and free from distracting errors. The narrative flows easily, even when the subject matter is heavy, making it a compelling and immersive read.
I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate memoirs that are honest, complex, and unafraid of discomfort. It’s ideal for those interested in family psychology, post-war identity, and the ways humor can coexist with deep emotional scars. This is a book that stays with you not because it demands attention, but because it earns it.
December 29, 2025
At first glance, this memoir feels mischievous, even playful. But beneath the sharp jokes and outrageous anecdotes lies something far more profound. The Lie That Changed Everything is a study in how children interpret the world and how those interpretations can shape a lifetime. Gary Trew writes with rare self-awareness, examining not only what happened, but how it felt, how it lingered, and how it changed him.
The family history alone could fill a book: abandonment, war trauma, silence, devotion, fear. Yet Trew weaves these threads together with remarkable control. His storytelling is vivid and precise, never bloated, never indulgent. Each memory feels chosen for a reason, each reflection earned.
What impressed me greatly was the balance between entertainment and introspection. The book is genuinely funny sometimes shockingly so but it never trivializes the emotional cost of what is being described. Instead, humor becomes a lens through which survival is understood.
The writing quality is consistently high. The prose is clean, the grammar solid, and the pacing excellent. I never felt pulled out of the story by technical issues, which allowed the emotional arc to land with full force.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy memoirs that are bold, intelligent, and emotionally honest. It will appeal to fans of literary nonfiction, psychological storytelling, and anyone who believes that the most powerful truths are often hidden behind laughter. This is an unforgettable read; one that proves how astonishing an ordinary life can be when told with courage and craft.
The family history alone could fill a book: abandonment, war trauma, silence, devotion, fear. Yet Trew weaves these threads together with remarkable control. His storytelling is vivid and precise, never bloated, never indulgent. Each memory feels chosen for a reason, each reflection earned.
What impressed me greatly was the balance between entertainment and introspection. The book is genuinely funny sometimes shockingly so but it never trivializes the emotional cost of what is being described. Instead, humor becomes a lens through which survival is understood.
The writing quality is consistently high. The prose is clean, the grammar solid, and the pacing excellent. I never felt pulled out of the story by technical issues, which allowed the emotional arc to land with full force.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy memoirs that are bold, intelligent, and emotionally honest. It will appeal to fans of literary nonfiction, psychological storytelling, and anyone who believes that the most powerful truths are often hidden behind laughter. This is an unforgettable read; one that proves how astonishing an ordinary life can be when told with courage and craft.
September 30, 2025
Have you ever wondered how one small moment can change the entire course of life?
That question is beautifully explored in The Lie That Changed Everything: The Memoir of a Little Rascal (Confessions from the Silence Book 1) an amazing memoir written with humor, honesty, and heart.
This book is an unforgettable read.
The highlight I loved about this book is how laughter and sorrow were balanced so naturally. The storyline is layered with mischievous childhood moments, heartfelt reflections, and the kind of honesty that pulls readers closer with every page.
The author has shown remarkable skill in transforming deeply personal experiences into a story that feels universally relatable. The writing is engaging, witty, and strikingly human, keeping readers entertained while also making them think about their own lives and choices.
This book is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys memoirs that are both humorous and deeply moving. I found this book to be a rare blend of laughter and vulnerability, leaving me smiling one moment and reflecting the next.
The author’s ability to weave emotion with humor is impressive, the vivid storytelling is captivating, and the honesty is refreshing. It is no surprise that more works by this writer are eagerly awaited.
Overall, a heartfelt, funny, and unforgettable read.
That question is beautifully explored in The Lie That Changed Everything: The Memoir of a Little Rascal (Confessions from the Silence Book 1) an amazing memoir written with humor, honesty, and heart.
This book is an unforgettable read.
The highlight I loved about this book is how laughter and sorrow were balanced so naturally. The storyline is layered with mischievous childhood moments, heartfelt reflections, and the kind of honesty that pulls readers closer with every page.
The author has shown remarkable skill in transforming deeply personal experiences into a story that feels universally relatable. The writing is engaging, witty, and strikingly human, keeping readers entertained while also making them think about their own lives and choices.
This book is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys memoirs that are both humorous and deeply moving. I found this book to be a rare blend of laughter and vulnerability, leaving me smiling one moment and reflecting the next.
The author’s ability to weave emotion with humor is impressive, the vivid storytelling is captivating, and the honesty is refreshing. It is no surprise that more works by this writer are eagerly awaited.
Overall, a heartfelt, funny, and unforgettable read.
December 29, 2025
I’ve read many memoirs, but very few manage to balance humor and pain as well as this one does. Gary Trew’s voice is confident, witty, and refreshingly unfiltered. From the very first pages, it’s clear this isn’t going to be a sentimental walk through childhood memories. Instead, it’s a vivid, sometimes chaotic portrayal of growing up in a family where humor was both entertainment and survival.
The comedic moments are outrageous and unforgettable, but what makes the book truly memorable is its emotional depth. The idea that a single childhood lie could shape a lifetime of guilt is explored with sensitivity and insight. Trew captures the emotional logic of a child perfectly, showing how easily responsibility can be misplaced in a young mind.What impressed me most was the author’s refusal to soften the truth. He presents his childhood as it was, not as he wishes it had been. The guilt surrounding his father’s death is woven quietly throughout the narrative, adding emotional depth without overwhelming the story.
By the time I finished the book, I felt like I had gotten to know not just the author, but his entire family. This memoir is funny, painful, and incredibly real. I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates honesty over polish and substance over sentimentality.
The comedic moments are outrageous and unforgettable, but what makes the book truly memorable is its emotional depth. The idea that a single childhood lie could shape a lifetime of guilt is explored with sensitivity and insight. Trew captures the emotional logic of a child perfectly, showing how easily responsibility can be misplaced in a young mind.What impressed me most was the author’s refusal to soften the truth. He presents his childhood as it was, not as he wishes it had been. The guilt surrounding his father’s death is woven quietly throughout the narrative, adding emotional depth without overwhelming the story.
By the time I finished the book, I felt like I had gotten to know not just the author, but his entire family. This memoir is funny, painful, and incredibly real. I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates honesty over polish and substance over sentimentality.
September 10, 2025
In his compelling memoir, Trew delivers a blisteringly funny and unsettling portrait of a childhood forged from mischief, trauma, and a haunting lie. From the opening pages, when he describes his chaotic breech birth and the family jokes about his “fish face” and “blockhead” nicknames, the tone is set: this is a story that refuses to look away from pain but also refuses to wallow in it. Trew recounts the guilt of swearing a lie on his father’s life with a voice that is as funny as it is devastating.
The book is a patchwork of hilarious misadventures—failed first kisses, schoolyard battles, sweet-tooth bribes—and devastating family history. His grandmother, nicknamed “Marion the Carrion,” abandoned eleven children, while his mother transformed that legacy into fierce, if sometimes terrifying, devotion. His father, a war hero and stoic presence, gave love without words, his reclusiveness masking unspoken scars. Trew writes with bite and warmth, wielding humour to soften trauma while letting the pain still pulse through. Funny, painful, and deeply human, the book is not just about one childhood lie but about survival, resilience, and the crooked road to truth. A treat.
The book is a patchwork of hilarious misadventures—failed first kisses, schoolyard battles, sweet-tooth bribes—and devastating family history. His grandmother, nicknamed “Marion the Carrion,” abandoned eleven children, while his mother transformed that legacy into fierce, if sometimes terrifying, devotion. His father, a war hero and stoic presence, gave love without words, his reclusiveness masking unspoken scars. Trew writes with bite and warmth, wielding humour to soften trauma while letting the pain still pulse through. Funny, painful, and deeply human, the book is not just about one childhood lie but about survival, resilience, and the crooked road to truth. A treat.
December 29, 2025
This memoir feels like sitting across from someone who has finally found the courage to tell their story exactly as it was, messiness and all. Gary Trew’s writing is bold, irreverent, and unapologetically honest. From the very first page, you know this will not be a sanitized recollection of childhood. Instead, it’s a vivid, often shocking, and surprisingly touching portrait of growing up surrounded by humor, trauma, and unspoken love.
The emotional core of the book lies in the author’s belief that a childhood lie somehow caused his father’s death. That idea could have easily tipped into melodrama, but Trew handles it with restraint and insight. He allows readers to sit with the discomfort, to understand how magical thinking and guilt can shape a young mind. The result is a memoir that feels authentic and brave. It is funny without being flippant and painful without being overwhelming. I finished this book feeling deeply moved and incredibly grateful that Trew chose to share his story.
The emotional core of the book lies in the author’s belief that a childhood lie somehow caused his father’s death. That idea could have easily tipped into melodrama, but Trew handles it with restraint and insight. He allows readers to sit with the discomfort, to understand how magical thinking and guilt can shape a young mind. The result is a memoir that feels authentic and brave. It is funny without being flippant and painful without being overwhelming. I finished this book feeling deeply moved and incredibly grateful that Trew chose to share his story.
August 28, 2025
As a lover of all things British, honest memoirs and quirky families this book really hit the spot. The author delivered his story with humor, humility, sadness and true self awareness of what it was like to grow up as the youngest son of parents who were survivors of WWII in the 60's and 70's in England. A true 'little rascal' he reminded me in many ways of my own baby brother. He accurately described how magical thinking about what we were often taught in the post war years can lead to us taking responsibility for things that happen when we shouldn't. While parts of his story were heartbreaking in their details, it also offered a view into how one can survive, and successfully be resilient in moving beyond things that happen when we are children.
Thank you to author and BookSirens for allowing me the opportunity to add a new author to my to be read list. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to author and BookSirens for allowing me the opportunity to add a new author to my to be read list. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 29, 2025
Few memoirs manage to capture the chaos of family life as vividly as The Lie That Changed Everything. Gary Trew writes with a voice that is both razor sharp and deeply compassionate. His childhood memories are packed with absurd humor, unforgettable characters, and moments that are laugh-out-loud funny, yet there is always an undercurrent of sadness that gives the story real emotional gravity.
What elevates this book is its emotional honesty. Trew does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, whether about family cruelty, inherited trauma, or the quiet ways children blame themselves for events far beyond their control. The book reads like a love letter to resilience and the strange ways humor can hold families together. It’s raw, funny, and deeply affecting. If you enjoy memoirs that feel alive and unfiltered, this one is an absolute must-read.
What elevates this book is its emotional honesty. Trew does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, whether about family cruelty, inherited trauma, or the quiet ways children blame themselves for events far beyond their control. The book reads like a love letter to resilience and the strange ways humor can hold families together. It’s raw, funny, and deeply affecting. If you enjoy memoirs that feel alive and unfiltered, this one is an absolute must-read.
December 18, 2025
A name is just a name. This hilarious book starts with Gary’s birth and how he got his name, but no spoilers here. Gary did a fabulous job sharing his stories with plenty of humor, although I can’t imagine surviving life in his home. Then came the move to Australia, where encounters with animals and insects were common since they didn’t know about the country’s dangers, although these stories were more funny than scary, before another move. Overall, this was a great read because it was one of the most unique books I’ve ever read about a boy’s childhood.
September 10, 2025
Just one big lie will change the course of his life. This will have you crying in places and also laughing as you get drawn into his life story
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a delightful tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a delightful tale
September 13, 2025
It’s a good book it’s interesting. I liked it a lot. I was given an arc and i choose to give a honest review.
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