What do you think?
Rate this book
Playing Out Swings and Roundabouts
If Paul was a pigeon his dad would probably wring his neck.
The runt of the litter, the youngest of five, he grasps at life.
Children struggle with different and Paul is unique. He’s being raised by his dad on social welfare… It’s the 1970s, toys are crap and money is short.
Struggling with the constraints of poverty and desperate to fit in, obeying the rules is not easy. In a bid to gain the right sort of attention laws are broken or replaced by his own set of values.
Scrumping, scampering through sewage tunnels and scrounging are just a few of the things that occupy his existence.
Paul’s life is PLAYING OUT.
Playing Out - Swings and Roundabouts outlines the first ten years of Paul’s life. Abandoned by his mother at six weeks old, he lives alongside three brothers and a sister being raised by their lorry driver father. Struggling to cope, their father does his best to provide but living on state handouts means the children often go without.
Being motherless has a huge impact on every aspect of his existence. In way of compensation, swings and roundabouts, Paul is afforded the freedom to roam. Hardships aplenty, lacking the nurture that often comes from a motherly embrace, Paul is being sculpted, his life is playing out.
Set in the 1970s, the older reader can enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane and the youngsters can view the offline existence of kids who wore flares and had bad hair. Products and television programmes, toys and confectionery, the sweetest of memories entwined with the roughness of a working-class environment. Street games, scrumping and sewage tunnels. A patchwork quilt of Paul’s memories stitched together using a rather coarse yarn makes this story a true account of British social history that is both poignant and humorous. All the main elements of the story are genuine incidents, although many of the people and places have been distorted to protect the guilty and to assist with the flow of the narrative.
The runt of the litter, the youngest of five, he grasps at life.
Children struggle with different and Paul is unique. He’s being raised by his dad on social welfare… It’s the 1970s, toys are crap and money is short.
Struggling with the constraints of poverty and desperate to fit in, obeying the rules is not easy. In a bid to gain the right sort of attention laws are broken or replaced by his own set of values.
Scrumping, scampering through sewage tunnels and scrounging are just a few of the things that occupy his existence.
Paul’s life is PLAYING OUT.
Playing Out - Swings and Roundabouts outlines the first ten years of Paul’s life. Abandoned by his mother at six weeks old, he lives alongside three brothers and a sister being raised by their lorry driver father. Struggling to cope, their father does his best to provide but living on state handouts means the children often go without.
Being motherless has a huge impact on every aspect of his existence. In way of compensation, swings and roundabouts, Paul is afforded the freedom to roam. Hardships aplenty, lacking the nurture that often comes from a motherly embrace, Paul is being sculpted, his life is playing out.
Set in the 1970s, the older reader can enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane and the youngsters can view the offline existence of kids who wore flares and had bad hair. Products and television programmes, toys and confectionery, the sweetest of memories entwined with the roughness of a working-class environment. Street games, scrumping and sewage tunnels. A patchwork quilt of Paul’s memories stitched together using a rather coarse yarn makes this story a true account of British social history that is both poignant and humorous. All the main elements of the story are genuine incidents, although many of the people and places have been distorted to protect the guilty and to assist with the flow of the narrative.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2016
13 people want to read
About the author
Paul Douglas Lovell
5 books60 followersThe best word to describe Paul Douglas Lovell is “unconventional” and it makes sense that his author bio would also be far from typical.
Coming from a motherless family of five children, this runt of the litter had to scratch and scramble for any attention he received. In his book, Playing Out: Swings and Roundabouts, the reader finds a young Lovell in the 1970s living on the margins of society. Homelife was always unsteady with the threat of eviction and the struggle to pay for amenities. It was a cold and hungry existence. Petty criminality and abuse further distorted his outlook on life, and he quickly became a problem child.
His time at school was spent on everything, but learning. Empty Corridors: Learning to Fail finds Lovell attending school in the 1980s, without much change. He was still labeled a problem. His academic knowledge was that of an eleven-year-old, and he left school without a single qualification, struggling to read and lacking ambition.
Yet, within a year, a seed was sown. His practical side knew that a pen and paper would always remain affordable, and, because of this, Lovell yearned to become a writer. Even at sixteen, he knew he had enough fodder for a book, though it would be years before he would commit anything to paper. That required courage and understanding of his past. He tried his hand at fiction, which was a terrible idea. To this day he keeps a sealed envelope containing his first drafts complete with grammatical errors and misused words. One saving grace was that Paul was an empty slate, and, once he moved to London, he spent time gaining whatever knowledge and life experience he could.
In Paulyanna: International Rent Boy, the reader finds Lovell living in London during the 1990s and working the streets, a profession he fell into and one that suited him. While unorthodox, and regardless of ethics and judgments, he felt valued for the first time in his life. Being paid for being himself felt like an achievement.
He was encouraged to take a beginner writing course and a course in media studies. BTec courses were basic and underfunded yet perfect for Lovell who was like a sponge. While some students were able to converse confidently on a wide range of topics, Paul felt unsure of himself and even intimidated. But when he shared his childhood stories and American street tales, he found that he easily captured the attention of his peers.
This ability to spin a yarn whilst at a house party helped him obtain a job in a production and distribution company. Music television was the perfect employer of a wayward soul partial to the odd cannabis joint. In charge of sending out transmission tapes to broadcasters, Paul was also tasked with writing synopses of the concerts to go along with the publicity materials and photographs required for TV listings. Here, Paul could further practice his art. To most, being employed would give a sense of security and perhaps the start of an illustrious career, but not so with Paul. He presumed it was only a matter of time before he would be rejected and fired, so he continued his nighttime activities.
After moving to Switzerland in 2000, a new Paul emerged. This version of Paul was supported by his partner who bolstered his confidence and encouraged his ambition. While employment was difficult to find, funnily enough, he began working two days per week in an international school. Being a classroom assistant in the kindergarten was his favourite job. A smile crosses his face when he recalls the time he covered a class of teenagers for an absent teacher.
He took a moment to enjoy the irony of scrawling “Mr. Lovell” across the blackboard. He told the boistrous children to misbehave more quietly, otherwise, he wouldn’t be asked to cover again, and it worked! The students settled down not realizing that a former class clown and troublemaker stood before them as their teacher.
Paul eventually left teaching and now spends his time writing.
Coming from a motherless family of five children, this runt of the litter had to scratch and scramble for any attention he received. In his book, Playing Out: Swings and Roundabouts, the reader finds a young Lovell in the 1970s living on the margins of society. Homelife was always unsteady with the threat of eviction and the struggle to pay for amenities. It was a cold and hungry existence. Petty criminality and abuse further distorted his outlook on life, and he quickly became a problem child.
His time at school was spent on everything, but learning. Empty Corridors: Learning to Fail finds Lovell attending school in the 1980s, without much change. He was still labeled a problem. His academic knowledge was that of an eleven-year-old, and he left school without a single qualification, struggling to read and lacking ambition.
Yet, within a year, a seed was sown. His practical side knew that a pen and paper would always remain affordable, and, because of this, Lovell yearned to become a writer. Even at sixteen, he knew he had enough fodder for a book, though it would be years before he would commit anything to paper. That required courage and understanding of his past. He tried his hand at fiction, which was a terrible idea. To this day he keeps a sealed envelope containing his first drafts complete with grammatical errors and misused words. One saving grace was that Paul was an empty slate, and, once he moved to London, he spent time gaining whatever knowledge and life experience he could.
In Paulyanna: International Rent Boy, the reader finds Lovell living in London during the 1990s and working the streets, a profession he fell into and one that suited him. While unorthodox, and regardless of ethics and judgments, he felt valued for the first time in his life. Being paid for being himself felt like an achievement.
He was encouraged to take a beginner writing course and a course in media studies. BTec courses were basic and underfunded yet perfect for Lovell who was like a sponge. While some students were able to converse confidently on a wide range of topics, Paul felt unsure of himself and even intimidated. But when he shared his childhood stories and American street tales, he found that he easily captured the attention of his peers.
This ability to spin a yarn whilst at a house party helped him obtain a job in a production and distribution company. Music television was the perfect employer of a wayward soul partial to the odd cannabis joint. In charge of sending out transmission tapes to broadcasters, Paul was also tasked with writing synopses of the concerts to go along with the publicity materials and photographs required for TV listings. Here, Paul could further practice his art. To most, being employed would give a sense of security and perhaps the start of an illustrious career, but not so with Paul. He presumed it was only a matter of time before he would be rejected and fired, so he continued his nighttime activities.
After moving to Switzerland in 2000, a new Paul emerged. This version of Paul was supported by his partner who bolstered his confidence and encouraged his ambition. While employment was difficult to find, funnily enough, he began working two days per week in an international school. Being a classroom assistant in the kindergarten was his favourite job. A smile crosses his face when he recalls the time he covered a class of teenagers for an absent teacher.
He took a moment to enjoy the irony of scrawling “Mr. Lovell” across the blackboard. He told the boistrous children to misbehave more quietly, otherwise, he wouldn’t be asked to cover again, and it worked! The students settled down not realizing that a former class clown and troublemaker stood before them as their teacher.
Paul eventually left teaching and now spends his time writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 15, 2021
PLAYING OUT is an autobiographical account of the author's early life, as a scraggly haired kid being raised by his father in dire poverty. It is not written in first person voice, perhaps to achieve a distance and a better perspective on his formative years. I am amazed by the detailed memories and from time to time, by an original coining of a phrase. For example, when describing a visit at the apartment of his father's mother, the author describes the room as, "furnished mainly with an echo."
This book was sent to me gratis for an unbiased review.
Four stars.
This book was sent to me gratis for an unbiased review.
Four stars.
March 26, 2021
Childhood memories
Having come from the same estate as the author this book invoked many childhood memories. But even if you are not from the locality it is an interesting insight into the formative years of a boy from a 'poorer' family. Humour and sadness are prevalent and make the book an enjoyable and sometimes emotional read.
Having come from the same estate as the author this book invoked many childhood memories. But even if you are not from the locality it is an interesting insight into the formative years of a boy from a 'poorer' family. Humour and sadness are prevalent and make the book an enjoyable and sometimes emotional read.
June 22, 2022
Having read ‘Empty Corridors’ first (which is chronologically after this book in Paul’s childhood) I was looking forward to this immensely! It did not disappoint! An extremely well written and well told account of a young lad growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. Coming from a single parent, struggling family, Paul still manages to find the amusing things in his upbringing. Coming from the same area, and a similar background, I can relate to so many of the tales told; Fred the tramp, the nit comb, preparing for Christmas Day, free school uniforms from The Red House, all wonderfully told in Paul’s own amusing and incisive way. An absolute must read for anyone wanting to remember their own childhood (it does take you back to your own memories) or anyone that grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. Absolutely brilliant!!
September 12, 2018
Good book , depicts the struggles of growing up in a household where dad is also mum.
And hunger is never far from the door.
And hunger is never far from the door.
August 30, 2016
This is a very lively memoir of the author's younger years growing up with his three older brothers, his one older sister and his dad during the 1970s. Money is tight and times are hard but Paul not only survives but thrives, thanks to his eternal optimism and his ability to make the best of every situation. No new toys? Make up a game with smelly socks. Having to do the food shopping with his sister? Play bowling with tins of beans down the store’s aisles.
He inherits from his father a strong sense of right and wrong. It may not always tally exactly with everyone else’s but young Paul has strong principles and sticks to them. Whilst he does try to play by the rules, he decides that only God has the right to pass judgement. He therefore regularly wheels and deals with his Maker over “minor transgressions such as scrumping, thumping and the occasional fib” and firmly believes in a banana-filled heaven. This is just one example of how the irrepressible youngster navigates his way through his noisy, boisterous, deprived childhood.
Paul doesn’t dwell on the hardships in his life. They’re simply there and he has to carry on regardless. For example, when he and his brothers and sister suddenly find themselves in a children’s home, when their father temporarily can’t cope, there’s no upset, merely a quick adaptation to this new life. And when the children are returned home, then they all just pick up from where they left off with no questioning. It’s this pervasive inspiring, non-resentful attitude that makes this book such a gem.
Nostalgia publishing is currently hugely popular. (For example, there are lots of biographies of erstwhile stars about to hit the bookshops for this Christmas, and Ladybird books and Enid Blyton have been revamped for a new audience.) Books like Playing Out show why this is the case. When done well, as here, this genre evokes a past era that those who’ve lived through can recognise and enjoy reliving, and those who haven’t can get a real sense of what it was like to be there. It would do the Millennials and later generations good to read this book and see that you really can be happy with no phone, hardly any telly and a handful of simple toys and some oranges and chocolate biscuits in your Christmas stocking!
This is a truly enjoyable book written with a sharp eye for detail, lots of humour and an infectious happy-go-lucky zest for life. An absolute must-read.
He inherits from his father a strong sense of right and wrong. It may not always tally exactly with everyone else’s but young Paul has strong principles and sticks to them. Whilst he does try to play by the rules, he decides that only God has the right to pass judgement. He therefore regularly wheels and deals with his Maker over “minor transgressions such as scrumping, thumping and the occasional fib” and firmly believes in a banana-filled heaven. This is just one example of how the irrepressible youngster navigates his way through his noisy, boisterous, deprived childhood.
Paul doesn’t dwell on the hardships in his life. They’re simply there and he has to carry on regardless. For example, when he and his brothers and sister suddenly find themselves in a children’s home, when their father temporarily can’t cope, there’s no upset, merely a quick adaptation to this new life. And when the children are returned home, then they all just pick up from where they left off with no questioning. It’s this pervasive inspiring, non-resentful attitude that makes this book such a gem.
Nostalgia publishing is currently hugely popular. (For example, there are lots of biographies of erstwhile stars about to hit the bookshops for this Christmas, and Ladybird books and Enid Blyton have been revamped for a new audience.) Books like Playing Out show why this is the case. When done well, as here, this genre evokes a past era that those who’ve lived through can recognise and enjoy reliving, and those who haven’t can get a real sense of what it was like to be there. It would do the Millennials and later generations good to read this book and see that you really can be happy with no phone, hardly any telly and a handful of simple toys and some oranges and chocolate biscuits in your Christmas stocking!
This is a truly enjoyable book written with a sharp eye for detail, lots of humour and an infectious happy-go-lucky zest for life. An absolute must-read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews