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1963: A Slice of Bread and Jam: One boy’s year of adventure, crippling poverty, abuse and an encounter with The Moors Murderers
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A raw and often funny snapshot of 7-year- old Tommy’s brutal young life. He moves us through his daily struggle with poverty and neglect in 1960s Manchester like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Tommy lives at the heart of a large Irish family in derelict Hulme, ruled by an abusive and alcoholic father and a drunk, negligent mother. Alongside his siblings he begs – or steals – a few pennies to bring home to his parents to avoid a beating, while looking for something to eat and a little adventure along the way.
With an unlikely sense of fun and a huge dose of good humour, Tommy introduces us to his foul-mouthed and chaotic family members. Deeply flawed they may be, but amongst the violence, grinding poverty and distinct lack of hygiene and morality lies a strong sense of loyalty and, above all, survival.
During this single year – before his family implodes and his world changes forever – young Tommy almost falls foul of the school welfare officers, the nuns, the police – and Myra Hindley and Ian Brady.
A raw and often funny snapshot of 7-year- old Tommy’s brutal young life. He moves us through his daily struggle with poverty and neglect in 1960s Manchester like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Tommy lives at the heart of a large Irish family in derelict Hulme, ruled by an abusive and alcoholic father and a drunk, negligent mother. Alongside his siblings he begs – or steals – a few pennies to bring home to his parents to avoid a beating, while looking for something to eat and a little adventure along the way.
With an unlikely sense of fun and a huge dose of good humour, Tommy introduces us to his foul-mouthed and chaotic family members. Deeply flawed they may be, but amongst the violence, grinding poverty and distinct lack of hygiene and morality lies a strong sense of loyalty and, above all, survival.
During this single year – before his family implodes and his world changes forever – young Tommy almost falls foul of the school welfare officers, the nuns, the police – and Myra Hindley and Ian Brady.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 3, 2017
I was born in 1961 and lived in Manchester so I was attracted to this book but if I'm honest I didn't really enjoy it. Parts of it were funny but mostly I felt sorry for Tommy's victims especially the old people he stole from and I found the cruelty he and his family enjoyed inflicting on animals upsetting. I found it hard to understand how someone with no education and no morals and his terribly sad upbringing stood any chance of growing up into a decent human being let alone a successful author. Having said all that I did find myself wondering what happened to the rest of his family and brothers and sisters.........a sequel perhaps??
April 7, 2018
I was loaned this book by a friend and it is with some trepidation that I write this review as I have just seen that the author makes a practice of arguing with people who don't give it 5 star reviews, so has obviously never heard the advice not to do that sort of thing.
This is meant to be a humourous tale of the lives of a poor family dragged up in the slums of Manchester in the early 60s, in an area that was being demolished and suffering total deprivation. The humour is unrelentingly based upon cruelty to humans and animals, with umpteen stock characters - ugly nuns with various deformities and disabilities, a drunken priest - and came across as being like a series of sketches from the late comedian Dave Allen's show but far less funny.
The undertone of abuse of the daughters of the family by the character's father finally became overt, though despite the viewpoint character's constant harping on genitalia, he didn't seem to 'get' what was going on when his father took various daughters into the bedroom, even when some of them fought back on one occasion, which stretched the suspension of disbelief too far. The situations became less and less convincing and the final nail in the coffin was a reference to Captain Scarlet sweet cigarettes - totally impossible in 1963, as that programme didn't begin to be broadcast until the second half of 1967. Presumably it was put in to add versimilitude - but instead, it jarred badly enough to make me doubt the rest of the narrative. A shame, because the chilling final section about the narrator's encounter with the Moors Murderers was well written. If the whole book had been written in that more serious tone, I would have found it far more convincing.
Now waiting to see what comments my honest review will incur. However, I didn't enjoy the book so can only award it a 2 star rating.
This is meant to be a humourous tale of the lives of a poor family dragged up in the slums of Manchester in the early 60s, in an area that was being demolished and suffering total deprivation. The humour is unrelentingly based upon cruelty to humans and animals, with umpteen stock characters - ugly nuns with various deformities and disabilities, a drunken priest - and came across as being like a series of sketches from the late comedian Dave Allen's show but far less funny.
The undertone of abuse of the daughters of the family by the character's father finally became overt, though despite the viewpoint character's constant harping on genitalia, he didn't seem to 'get' what was going on when his father took various daughters into the bedroom, even when some of them fought back on one occasion, which stretched the suspension of disbelief too far. The situations became less and less convincing and the final nail in the coffin was a reference to Captain Scarlet sweet cigarettes - totally impossible in 1963, as that programme didn't begin to be broadcast until the second half of 1967. Presumably it was put in to add versimilitude - but instead, it jarred badly enough to make me doubt the rest of the narrative. A shame, because the chilling final section about the narrator's encounter with the Moors Murderers was well written. If the whole book had been written in that more serious tone, I would have found it far more convincing.
Now waiting to see what comments my honest review will incur. However, I didn't enjoy the book so can only award it a 2 star rating.
January 10, 2019
A friend bought me this book for Christmas and I really wanted to like it, but I didn't. It isn't particularly well written. It's a series of anecdotes about a seven-year-old boy who grew up in great poverty in a large Irish family in Hulme. The author focuses on just one year of his life - 1963. The book isn't written in the voice of a seven-year-old, which jars somewhat. There is authorial intrusion throughout. I found most of the stories unbelievable. They just didn't ring true and what was meant to be humourous really wasn't. For example: stealing from the old and the vulnerable. To me this seemed like a parody of the mis-mem genre, particularly Angela's Ashes. The encounter with Hindley and Brady also seemed unbelievable. Would a seven-year-old really remember minute details of the room in which they sat him down to eat bread and jam? The Hindley and Brady story was obviously included to sell the book. Sensationalist nonsense, but what else would one expect from Mirror Books?
November 27, 2017
I bought this book thinking it would devote more than a couple of pages to the moors murders, so was disappointed that there was less than 5 pages devoted to this topic.
Otherwise a very funny biography of Irish family life in Manchesteer
Otherwise a very funny biography of Irish family life in Manchesteer
March 24, 2022
First off - cover of this book is selling a lie. I've gotten this book in a subscription box so it's not something I would've chosen myself and I would've been right to do so. The sales-pitch is a lie. This book is not about a boy, memoirs of his life and meeting of a notorious serial killer couple. This book is about boy's life and at some point he just happens to meet the serial killer couple. The whole encounter is two chapters. That's it. Two chapters out of nearly 400 pages. Therefore the representation of the book is a sham trying to cash out on the "craze" of true crime.
Second - even if we brush off the blatant lie right on the cover of the book there's another problem I found with this book and that is at least half of it is highly unbelievable. Tommy describes some horrific things happening in his life as a child of 7 years old but at the same time more "comedic" episodes seemed like far fetched fantasies. Of course, stranger things happen in life, but still, it felt just too fantastic to ever have been truth or at the very least - to have gone the way those events were described as happened.
Besides these two (and I would say major) things - the book was a fast and somewhat nice read. The "life" of Tommy that is represented in this book is painted in colors of poverty and abuse and struggle but he doesn't talk about those times in darkest colors possible. He uses lighter strokes to talk about some very dark things and that also unsettled me quite a bit.
Overall - if I wasn't "sold" this as a true crime read I would've enjoyed it more than I did. And despite how quickly this book can be read - it still is a waste of time if you have certain expectations based on the cover.
I can't rate this any higher because it's just a bad way to market a simple memoir book and a bad way to talk about things the way Tommy did. What a shame.
Second - even if we brush off the blatant lie right on the cover of the book there's another problem I found with this book and that is at least half of it is highly unbelievable. Tommy describes some horrific things happening in his life as a child of 7 years old but at the same time more "comedic" episodes seemed like far fetched fantasies. Of course, stranger things happen in life, but still, it felt just too fantastic to ever have been truth or at the very least - to have gone the way those events were described as happened.
Besides these two (and I would say major) things - the book was a fast and somewhat nice read. The "life" of Tommy that is represented in this book is painted in colors of poverty and abuse and struggle but he doesn't talk about those times in darkest colors possible. He uses lighter strokes to talk about some very dark things and that also unsettled me quite a bit.
Overall - if I wasn't "sold" this as a true crime read I would've enjoyed it more than I did. And despite how quickly this book can be read - it still is a waste of time if you have certain expectations based on the cover.
I can't rate this any higher because it's just a bad way to market a simple memoir book and a bad way to talk about things the way Tommy did. What a shame.
January 17, 2021
A true story of poverty in 1960s Manchester.
Tommy Rhattigan is one of 13 children born to catholic Irish parents living in hulme , Manchester. The book tells us of the year 1963 when Tommy was seven , he takes us on a journey with him of his misdemeanours and antics that him and his siblings got upto , stealing from Woolworths , begging on the streets, searching around derelict buildings.
Tommy had a brief encounter with Myra hindley & Ian Brady, the notorious moors murderers , he had a lucky escape and talks of this in the final chapters.
Tommy Rhattigan is one of 13 children born to catholic Irish parents living in hulme , Manchester. The book tells us of the year 1963 when Tommy was seven , he takes us on a journey with him of his misdemeanours and antics that him and his siblings got upto , stealing from Woolworths , begging on the streets, searching around derelict buildings.
Tommy had a brief encounter with Myra hindley & Ian Brady, the notorious moors murderers , he had a lucky escape and talks of this in the final chapters.
June 3, 2017
1963: A Slice of Bread and Jam: One boy’s year of adventure, crippling poverty, abuse and an encounter with The Moors Murderers
This book was okay considering Tommy was a self-confessed illiterate. However, he has a lot of fiction or misplaced facts in the book. Things such as, Stretford Rd does not end at Piccadilly but at All Saints over a mile away, Piccadilly was never at any time called Piccadilly Circus as that is in London, the Gas lighting in Manchester was all switched to time clock activation between 1951 and 1953 and then was phased out over to Electric lighting between 1956 and 1961 and so there was not a lamplighter anymore from 1953. There are quite a few other things in the book which did not gel for a true Manc especially one from Hulme at that time as my wife was, I myself am an adopted Manc from age 18months who's family moved back to Manchester in 1952 and I grew up in and around Old Trafford and Hulme and I went to school on Stretford Rd from 1961 to 1964. The story was entertaining and paints a very good picture for people who did not grow up at that time in Manchester. I recommend that people do read the book and take the facts with a pinch of salt then make up their own mind.
This book was okay considering Tommy was a self-confessed illiterate. However, he has a lot of fiction or misplaced facts in the book. Things such as, Stretford Rd does not end at Piccadilly but at All Saints over a mile away, Piccadilly was never at any time called Piccadilly Circus as that is in London, the Gas lighting in Manchester was all switched to time clock activation between 1951 and 1953 and then was phased out over to Electric lighting between 1956 and 1961 and so there was not a lamplighter anymore from 1953. There are quite a few other things in the book which did not gel for a true Manc especially one from Hulme at that time as my wife was, I myself am an adopted Manc from age 18months who's family moved back to Manchester in 1952 and I grew up in and around Old Trafford and Hulme and I went to school on Stretford Rd from 1961 to 1964. The story was entertaining and paints a very good picture for people who did not grow up at that time in Manchester. I recommend that people do read the book and take the facts with a pinch of salt then make up their own mind.
July 27, 2017
I thought this was an easy read as in it flowed well and was a fairly quick read. The subject matter was sometimes less easy to read about ie: the neglect and abuse the children suffered. I found I sometimes felt the stories had been embellished a bit to make them more dramatic but I may be wrong and that these things really did happen the way they were written.
I used to enjoy these sorts of books a lot more when I was younger but don't think I will be reading many more in the future as I found it all a bit predictable and samey but I am sure many will enjoy the tall tales of Tommy and his family.
I used to enjoy these sorts of books a lot more when I was younger but don't think I will be reading many more in the future as I found it all a bit predictable and samey but I am sure many will enjoy the tall tales of Tommy and his family.
February 7, 2017
A wonderful account of a very poor childhood in Manchester in the early 1960s. Written from a child's point of view with honesty and humour. It makes the reader laugh and cry. It leaves the reader wanting to know so much more about the author's childhood and his adult life - as well as those of all his siblings. I have so many questions but I understand Tommy Rhattigan is writing a sequel which is great news.
This is a must read book - you will either share similar memories with Tommy or, like myself, be grateful for your own very different experience of childhood. 1963 really wasn't that long ago............
This is a must read book - you will either share similar memories with Tommy or, like myself, be grateful for your own very different experience of childhood. 1963 really wasn't that long ago............
July 9, 2018
The characters are very hard to warm to and I found them terribly unlikable with the violence, theft and down right meanness that they inflicted on others around them on a daily basis. Whilst I understand that this was a hard time for many families (and some are still experiencing it today) there didn't seem to be any heart warming stories, nor did I find any of it particularly funny. I too agree that a follow up chapter regarding how everyone ended up (and how much therapy they needed) would have been good, as it ended abruptly and with no real warning. Though I understand that the author is writing another book so this may be included in that novel.
October 22, 2019
Found this book disturbing The unfortunate writer, brought up in a family entirely unhampered by any morals, could actually brag about his misdeeds and even cruelty. I read on in the hope that I could eventually warm to him and that in time he would come to reflect on his past with a sense of remorse.
October 24, 2022
Fascinating sad true story, nicely written with cleverness and wit, almost makes you cry and laugh at the same time.
January 30, 2019
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
Some of the story made me laugh out loud, others times it made me wonder if what was being described was true. Kinda torn about this book as I just couldn't be sympathetic towards the author. Similar to Angela's Ashes/Tis by Frank McCourt which I preferred.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
The book was interesting in so far it was set in the era I grew up in but some of it seemed to be a bit far fetched.
What does Kevin Hely bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
the narration was excellent and he did bring the characters to life. I would read other books narrated by Kevin Hely.
Did 1963 inspire you to do anything?
Not really. Have read enough about the Moors Murderers in the past.
Any additional comments?
I tried to like this book even though I have read some quite critical reviews about it. I suppose you will just have to make up your on mind wether to purchase it or not. I won't be searching out a follow up.
Some of the story made me laugh out loud, others times it made me wonder if what was being described was true. Kinda torn about this book as I just couldn't be sympathetic towards the author. Similar to Angela's Ashes/Tis by Frank McCourt which I preferred.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
The book was interesting in so far it was set in the era I grew up in but some of it seemed to be a bit far fetched.
What does Kevin Hely bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
the narration was excellent and he did bring the characters to life. I would read other books narrated by Kevin Hely.
Did 1963 inspire you to do anything?
Not really. Have read enough about the Moors Murderers in the past.
Any additional comments?
I tried to like this book even though I have read some quite critical reviews about it. I suppose you will just have to make up your on mind wether to purchase it or not. I won't be searching out a follow up.
April 16, 2021
I really enjoyed reading the shenanigans and adventures that Tommy got up to with his brothers and sisters. The struggles of life and just trying to get a bit of food to eat was an everyday reality for the children.
It seemed that the children were happy to be free and explore the poverty stricken areas of Hulme and beyond. A bit of skulduggery, crafty invention and a knack of how to survive gave them a real urban education.
Tommy's lucky escape from a pair of evil bastards must have been so scary for a young lad, especially when it got the news.
After reading some of the questions and answers on this app from readers and Tommy himself I see he is writing another book which I will devour like I did with this. I was sad to hear the passing of his brother Michael and his sister Nancy at young ages.
A thoroughly good read and highly recommended. Thanks to Tommy for sharing his memories and his traumatic experiences for us to get a glimpse into an era long gone.
It seemed that the children were happy to be free and explore the poverty stricken areas of Hulme and beyond. A bit of skulduggery, crafty invention and a knack of how to survive gave them a real urban education.
Tommy's lucky escape from a pair of evil bastards must have been so scary for a young lad, especially when it got the news.
After reading some of the questions and answers on this app from readers and Tommy himself I see he is writing another book which I will devour like I did with this. I was sad to hear the passing of his brother Michael and his sister Nancy at young ages.
A thoroughly good read and highly recommended. Thanks to Tommy for sharing his memories and his traumatic experiences for us to get a glimpse into an era long gone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2018
I loved it. I found it thoroughly entertaining
March 9, 2019
Very funny . Cheeky children who survive terrible neglect and abuse ,
May 20, 2017
Loved this book
I give this book 5stars could not put it down was sad but had me rolling up was so funny when the mum burnt her arse 😂 loved all the kids didn't want it to end well done all the best x
I give this book 5stars could not put it down was sad but had me rolling up was so funny when the mum burnt her arse 😂 loved all the kids didn't want it to end well done all the best x
February 11, 2017
Btilliant
I really enjoyed this book and wanted it to continue, wanted to read more about his life. I have recommended this book to family and friends.
I really enjoyed this book and wanted it to continue, wanted to read more about his life. I have recommended this book to family and friends.
February 14, 2017
Recommended
A very readable memoir of a difficult but in some ways happy childhood . Born of a large Irish Catholic family to a work shy , light fingered , alcoholic father and a mother with a fondness for disappearing for days on end , these kids were left to fend for themselves on the streets of Manchester. Despite being expected to provide their own keep and spending money for their parents via means of begging and thieving. The author tells of the fun and the adventures of roaming the streets of Manchester,close calls and a very lucky escape.....Hope there's a sequel.
A very readable memoir of a difficult but in some ways happy childhood . Born of a large Irish Catholic family to a work shy , light fingered , alcoholic father and a mother with a fondness for disappearing for days on end , these kids were left to fend for themselves on the streets of Manchester. Despite being expected to provide their own keep and spending money for their parents via means of begging and thieving. The author tells of the fun and the adventures of roaming the streets of Manchester,close calls and a very lucky escape.....Hope there's a sequel.
February 20, 2017
Really intersting
Loved this real life account it makes a fascinating read.
It gives you an insight into the harsh reality of the lives of children living with neglect and poverty .
Loved this real life account it makes a fascinating read.
It gives you an insight into the harsh reality of the lives of children living with neglect and poverty .
September 9, 2017
A great wee read.
Tommy has go an us a snapshot of had s life and with his words he transports the reader back in time. This is a wonderfully atmospheric and emotive story. Even though 63 was a decade before my time and we didnt have to endure the same life as he, it still managed to invoke memories of my own childhood in Glasgow. The freedom of adventuring with my 3 brothers and all our friends. Staying out all day until the street lights came on. The sense of community, bold and safe in the knowledge that we were the kings and queens of our own domain. Good and bad times, as Tommy states himself when you have nothing to compare life to, you don't know any better (or words to that affect) and so I share his feeling that those were the best years of our lives.
Thank you Tommy for sharing your memories with us.
There are some real laugh out loud moments as I could just picture Tommy and his brothers and sisters getting up to high jinx. This is a real trip down memory lane and well worth reading x
Tommy has go an us a snapshot of had s life and with his words he transports the reader back in time. This is a wonderfully atmospheric and emotive story. Even though 63 was a decade before my time and we didnt have to endure the same life as he, it still managed to invoke memories of my own childhood in Glasgow. The freedom of adventuring with my 3 brothers and all our friends. Staying out all day until the street lights came on. The sense of community, bold and safe in the knowledge that we were the kings and queens of our own domain. Good and bad times, as Tommy states himself when you have nothing to compare life to, you don't know any better (or words to that affect) and so I share his feeling that those were the best years of our lives.
Thank you Tommy for sharing your memories with us.
There are some real laugh out loud moments as I could just picture Tommy and his brothers and sisters getting up to high jinx. This is a real trip down memory lane and well worth reading x
February 2, 2017
Great and sad. About the old and poor
June 2, 2017
Heart breaking
Captured me from the start. Seeing how they lived through the eyes of a child. Families left to raise themselves. Definitely worth reading
Captured me from the start. Seeing how they lived through the eyes of a child. Families left to raise themselves. Definitely worth reading
July 31, 2017
Really enjoyed description of life in that time.
November 22, 2017
This book brought back both good & bad memories of my own childhood in Hulme in the 1960’s. Couldn’t put it down.
June 10, 2019
A decent read but I felt it a little bit soulless. I found it hard to connect with the characters which was a bit of an issue. Some of it I found amusing but in truth some of the antics recalled made me squirm. Undoubtedly this family were living in extreme poverty and there was terrible abuse taking place within the home. This was told from the perspective of a 6 yr old , which was scary. The part that tells of his meeting with Hindley and Brady is very short and lacks impact. L
Sadly these were the kids that everyone dreaded having living next door. They were the kids no one wanted to sit next to in school.. Some epic failures on the part of society! I would have been interested to know what happened to all the siblings as they grew up. I hope they , as the author has, have turned their backs on a life of crime.
Sadly these were the kids that everyone dreaded having living next door. They were the kids no one wanted to sit next to in school.. Some epic failures on the part of society! I would have been interested to know what happened to all the siblings as they grew up. I hope they , as the author has, have turned their backs on a life of crime.
August 7, 2019
I originally thought this book would be more about the moors murders then anything else. But instead we follow the author through a very funny biography about survival and family in Manchester, 1963. Which is also when he claims to have had the encounter with Brady and Hindley.
Despite my misunderstanding, I was pleasantly surprised, and think the book is very much deserving of five stars. It's incredibly well written, nostalgic and thoroughly enjoyable. So much so, I'll probably check out his sequel, Boy Number 26.
Overall, I'm very glad the author found the strength to share his story and write about his past. I hope that writing this book has given him some peace and closure. I highly recommend.
Despite my misunderstanding, I was pleasantly surprised, and think the book is very much deserving of five stars. It's incredibly well written, nostalgic and thoroughly enjoyable. So much so, I'll probably check out his sequel, Boy Number 26.
Overall, I'm very glad the author found the strength to share his story and write about his past. I hope that writing this book has given him some peace and closure. I highly recommend.
August 7, 2017
What could've been a very tragic tale about a boy and his brothers and sisters neglect and abuse they encountered was actually very different to what I was expecting. This book had me laughing out loud in certain places and was mostly quite a positive tale about a boy and his siblings growing up in Manchester in the year of 1963. There is some mention of Rhattigan's encounter with Hindley and Bradey but I felt actually it was just enough as I know some readers have felt disappointed that there was only 1 chapter dedicated to this. I'm keen to find out more and find out what happened to Rhattigan and his family so I hope there is a follow up book.
August 3, 2020
I found the book an interesting read, from a historical point of view. I do not know Manchester at all, so the place names meant nothing to me. I was unsure about the Myra Hindley/Ian Brady section but who knows?
I remember 1963, I lived in London at the time and I can imagine some of the areas and conditions there were a little like the one Tomnmy Rhattigan lived in.
I would recommend the book, but would say do not expect 'sitting on the edge of the seat' excitement. It is just an interesting book. Tommny and his relatives sound like they were very unpleasant people, but maybe they didn't know any better. I wouldn't like to comment. It is not a feel good book.
I remember 1963, I lived in London at the time and I can imagine some of the areas and conditions there were a little like the one Tomnmy Rhattigan lived in.
I would recommend the book, but would say do not expect 'sitting on the edge of the seat' excitement. It is just an interesting book. Tommny and his relatives sound like they were very unpleasant people, but maybe they didn't know any better. I wouldn't like to comment. It is not a feel good book.
April 11, 2020
Good book about growing up in poverty stricken Manchester in the 1960s.
However, whether it was the Author or the papers that hyped up about the lucky escape from the Moors Murderers, i don't know, but 6 or 7 pages isn't much, would be better if there was no mention about the 'lucky escape' and it was just his memoirs about growing up in the 60s, or the papers omitted it but still kept it in the book, either way i would still have read it.
Chapters were relatively short, and they didn't follow a pattern as such.
However, whether it was the Author or the papers that hyped up about the lucky escape from the Moors Murderers, i don't know, but 6 or 7 pages isn't much, would be better if there was no mention about the 'lucky escape' and it was just his memoirs about growing up in the 60s, or the papers omitted it but still kept it in the book, either way i would still have read it.
Chapters were relatively short, and they didn't follow a pattern as such.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews