Bouncing Back: Memoirs of a Mattress Salesman

by Michael Flynn, Josephine McCaffrey

Bouncing Back is the inspiring story of Michael Flynn, a struggling furniture salesman from Pearse Street, who reinvented himself to become Ireland's favourite retailer. With the inner city that shaped him at its core, it's the story of his enduring close bond with his family and the communities that have supported him along the way.

With Dublin heart and entrepreneurial spirit, this hilarious and, at times, heartbreaking memoir is filled with joy and sadness, love and lifelong friendships, mad adventures and meaningful moments.

Bouncing Back is a testament to never giving up, no matter what life throws your way.

272 pages, Paperback

Published December 22, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. Please see this page for the list of authors.

Michael Francis Flynn (born 1947) is an American statistician and science fiction author. Nearly all of Flynn's work falls under the category of hard science fiction, although his treatment of it can be unusual since he has applied the rigor of hard science fiction to "softer" sciences such as sociology in works such as In the Country of the Blind. Much of his short fiction has appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact.

Flynn was born in Easton, Pennsylvania. He earned a B.A. in Mathematics from LaSalle University and an M.S. in topology from Marquette University. He has been employed as an industrial quality engineer and statistician.

Library of Congress authorities: Flynn, Michael (Michael F.)

Reviews

[Daniel Destarno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly brilliant book from start to finish. It's so well paced, written, and told, and has an immense emotional impact. I promise you, whatever you're going through, you will leave this book feeling inspired. Mick proves that no matter how many times life screws you over, you can always bounce back.
Each time I turned a page I was excited for what would come next, while also feeling anxious, and hopeful all at the same time, which I think is the mark of every great book! Every single day I woke up excited to read it, and every time it did not disappoint.
If you are looking for a truly inspiring book that will leave you feeling fulfilled and determined to keep on trying with whatever is going on in your life, this book is for you. It is a testament to never giving up, no mattress what life throws your way. It is super well-written, and a beautifully told story. It gets its message across unbelievably well, and is one of the best books of the decade in my opinion. I will definitely be reading it again!

[Peter P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Flynn became a larger-than-life charachter in Dublin through his retail endevours such as furniture shops and ultimately to his persona, Mattress Mick, selling Irish-made mattresses at low prices. Despite the cartoon-character-like antics of music videos, documentaries, wrapped taxis and plays, the book contains some emotive content such as love lost and the passing of loved ones. It also touches on the terrible behavior and sordid history of the Christian Brothers and the industrial schools and the reprenensible conduct of the Irish government and the banks that crippled the country in the 1990's.

[Suresh Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read