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Boy Number 26
THE SEQUEL TO THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, 1963: A SLICE OF BREAD AND JAMPlacing a child in care doesn't mean caring for a child. When little Tommy Rhattigan was taken into care in 1963 aged just 7, he entered a closed off world of institutionalised sexual abuse.
Moved between a care home in Manchester and a reform school in Liverpool, the state was supposed to pick up the duty of care that his parents had failed to give him. But instead, separated from his siblings, young Tommy was thrown to the wolves.
Tommy Rhattigan takes us, in his own inimitable way, back to his own childhood of pranks, cruelty and laughter, grown from a need to survive his daily torment and to stick two fingers up to the system that was failing him so spectacularly.
'A heart-wrenching story' NetGalley reviewer
'This is a good book that definitely needs to be read by anyone who cares about children or mental health. Rhattigan is honest and brutal in his writing ' NetGalley reviewer
Moved between a care home in Manchester and a reform school in Liverpool, the state was supposed to pick up the duty of care that his parents had failed to give him. But instead, separated from his siblings, young Tommy was thrown to the wolves.
Tommy Rhattigan takes us, in his own inimitable way, back to his own childhood of pranks, cruelty and laughter, grown from a need to survive his daily torment and to stick two fingers up to the system that was failing him so spectacularly.
'A heart-wrenching story' NetGalley reviewer
'This is a good book that definitely needs to be read by anyone who cares about children or mental health. Rhattigan is honest and brutal in his writing ' NetGalley reviewer
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2019
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January 22, 2023A triumphant sad story of survival, carefully explained under the eyes of a child.
January 9, 2019
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
When I got this book for review I honestly had no earthly idea that it was the sequel to another book the author had written. While that didn't necessarily make it difficult to understand, I do wish I had read the first one so I had a better understanding of the characters. I felt like I lost a lot, and that ultimately it made the story a little less for me.
While I feel for Tommy Rhattigan and the horrible sexual and physical abuse he suffered as a child, his writing style didn't resonate well with me. It felt weirdly choppy? That is likely just me though, as we all have our preferences and that's okay! It's not badly written, just not a style I care for on a personal level.
That does not, however, take away from the story itself. The things that Rhattigan suffered were horrendous, things no child should ever have to go through. I felt for him during those harder parts of the story, and I can see why writing about it would be therapeutic in a way. Also while reading this I kept thinking about the movie Sleepers. Did anyone else get that same sort of vibe or was it just me?
When I got this book for review I honestly had no earthly idea that it was the sequel to another book the author had written. While that didn't necessarily make it difficult to understand, I do wish I had read the first one so I had a better understanding of the characters. I felt like I lost a lot, and that ultimately it made the story a little less for me.
While I feel for Tommy Rhattigan and the horrible sexual and physical abuse he suffered as a child, his writing style didn't resonate well with me. It felt weirdly choppy? That is likely just me though, as we all have our preferences and that's okay! It's not badly written, just not a style I care for on a personal level.
That does not, however, take away from the story itself. The things that Rhattigan suffered were horrendous, things no child should ever have to go through. I felt for him during those harder parts of the story, and I can see why writing about it would be therapeutic in a way. Also while reading this I kept thinking about the movie Sleepers. Did anyone else get that same sort of vibe or was it just me?
February 14, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Mirror Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is an autobiography of Tommy Rhattigan’s childhood in Liverpool. What a sad, sad story. Mr. Rhattigan’s acknowledgement at the book’s end summarizes the theme of the book, in part:
“For years I have suffered in silence with my mental health. … Having taken a massive overdose of drugs at the age of 15… teaching me coping strategies, such as recognizing the issues and talking them through. Or avoiding “trigger” situations at all costs. … difficult to live a “normal” life when you’ve had no control over the start of it… never-ending spiral of self-harm. Alcohol abuse. Drug abuse. Self-hatred. Guilt. Shame and suicidal ideation.“
Tommy was one of 13 children whose “Daddy in prison and Mammy constantly disappearing.” Tommy was especially close to his brother, Martin. With parental neglect, Tommy and Martin “… felt abandoned, cold, and devoid of any feeling” and “always hungry, … snatched up a stale piece … picking off the worst of the green mould …” “Mammy and Daddy, both being alcoholics, had abandoned the whole family late last year, leaving us to fend for ourselves.”
From Tommy and Martin’s perspective, while running on the streets and trying to survive, people ignored the children. “It was difficult to understand how people, well fed and comfortable in their warm houses, could look into the eyes of hungry children and suddenly go blind. But that is what seemed to have happened. For them, it had been all to easy to not see us.”
While the children are to be provided for and protected in the system, the opposite occurs in this story: “… but it was easy to run away and hide from trouble. Daddy was the one who’d caused most of our anguish, when he was drunk. But it was only a matter of keeping out of his way until he was sober again. Here, in St. Vincent’s, I felt unsafe almost every single day.” Martin and Tommy bounced from institution to institution due to out of control behaviors. The two boys always wanted to be reunited with their parents and siblings: “Our expectations that we would be moved on quickly to Nazareth House to join our siblings, as originally mentioned by Social Services, never materialized. Longing to be reunited with our brothers and sisters…”
At one point, Martin and Tommy are separated and placed in different facilities. “… we learnt we were going to be separated for our own good and sent to different homes.” Tommy was devastated. “They’d taken my brother away from me. They’d ripped open my chest, grabbed at my heart and squeezed it so tightly that the pain was unbearable. How could they? How could people who say they only want the best for the child and to make that child happy do such a thing? I was broken.” “… we had become cared-for children for the first time in our lives. It meant nothing to us at all.” “He wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend, my life.”
Life in the homes: “I was a cared-for child, but I was not cared about. I was tagged with the number 26, which was stamped everywhere bar my forehead…” “The reality of my life and the lives of the boys I was living among was that we had no futures. We lived only for the days we found ourselves in. Yesterday was already done and dusted, and tomorrow didn’t exist.”
Physical, verbal and sexual abuse is rampant throughout the book in multiple institutions. Abuse by caretakers and other children.
Tommy didn’t trust anyone – adult or child. He was in constant survival mode. “I not only hated, loathed, and despised most of my peers and the adults around me. I had come to hate, loathe and despised myself. I’d been getting these sudden urges to cut my wrists or throw myself out of an upstairs window.” There was no affection or love experienced. “Torture was an acceptable part of the game, especially when attempting to extract information from a prisoner.” “True friends are like diamonds, Precious and Rare. False friends are like Autumn leaves, found everywhere.”
The facilities barely provided minimal care for the children. Education was also minimal. “Our lack of schooling had left us with a somewhat stunted vocabulary.” “Children in general are quick learners. But children growing up in institutions such as ours inevitably had to be much quicker.”
Fortunately, the book’s ending is Tommy is reunited with his brother and family but what a horrible childhood of neglect and abuse. “… if this short stay over the Christmas period went well, we would probably be able to come home permanently.”
This book constantly tugs at the reader's heart strings for the injustice and hardships the children endured. I recommend this book for anyone interested in social work, child neglect or related topics.
This is an autobiography of Tommy Rhattigan’s childhood in Liverpool. What a sad, sad story. Mr. Rhattigan’s acknowledgement at the book’s end summarizes the theme of the book, in part:
“For years I have suffered in silence with my mental health. … Having taken a massive overdose of drugs at the age of 15… teaching me coping strategies, such as recognizing the issues and talking them through. Or avoiding “trigger” situations at all costs. … difficult to live a “normal” life when you’ve had no control over the start of it… never-ending spiral of self-harm. Alcohol abuse. Drug abuse. Self-hatred. Guilt. Shame and suicidal ideation.“
Tommy was one of 13 children whose “Daddy in prison and Mammy constantly disappearing.” Tommy was especially close to his brother, Martin. With parental neglect, Tommy and Martin “… felt abandoned, cold, and devoid of any feeling” and “always hungry, … snatched up a stale piece … picking off the worst of the green mould …” “Mammy and Daddy, both being alcoholics, had abandoned the whole family late last year, leaving us to fend for ourselves.”
From Tommy and Martin’s perspective, while running on the streets and trying to survive, people ignored the children. “It was difficult to understand how people, well fed and comfortable in their warm houses, could look into the eyes of hungry children and suddenly go blind. But that is what seemed to have happened. For them, it had been all to easy to not see us.”
While the children are to be provided for and protected in the system, the opposite occurs in this story: “… but it was easy to run away and hide from trouble. Daddy was the one who’d caused most of our anguish, when he was drunk. But it was only a matter of keeping out of his way until he was sober again. Here, in St. Vincent’s, I felt unsafe almost every single day.” Martin and Tommy bounced from institution to institution due to out of control behaviors. The two boys always wanted to be reunited with their parents and siblings: “Our expectations that we would be moved on quickly to Nazareth House to join our siblings, as originally mentioned by Social Services, never materialized. Longing to be reunited with our brothers and sisters…”
At one point, Martin and Tommy are separated and placed in different facilities. “… we learnt we were going to be separated for our own good and sent to different homes.” Tommy was devastated. “They’d taken my brother away from me. They’d ripped open my chest, grabbed at my heart and squeezed it so tightly that the pain was unbearable. How could they? How could people who say they only want the best for the child and to make that child happy do such a thing? I was broken.” “… we had become cared-for children for the first time in our lives. It meant nothing to us at all.” “He wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend, my life.”
Life in the homes: “I was a cared-for child, but I was not cared about. I was tagged with the number 26, which was stamped everywhere bar my forehead…” “The reality of my life and the lives of the boys I was living among was that we had no futures. We lived only for the days we found ourselves in. Yesterday was already done and dusted, and tomorrow didn’t exist.”
Physical, verbal and sexual abuse is rampant throughout the book in multiple institutions. Abuse by caretakers and other children.
Tommy didn’t trust anyone – adult or child. He was in constant survival mode. “I not only hated, loathed, and despised most of my peers and the adults around me. I had come to hate, loathe and despised myself. I’d been getting these sudden urges to cut my wrists or throw myself out of an upstairs window.” There was no affection or love experienced. “Torture was an acceptable part of the game, especially when attempting to extract information from a prisoner.” “True friends are like diamonds, Precious and Rare. False friends are like Autumn leaves, found everywhere.”
The facilities barely provided minimal care for the children. Education was also minimal. “Our lack of schooling had left us with a somewhat stunted vocabulary.” “Children in general are quick learners. But children growing up in institutions such as ours inevitably had to be much quicker.”
Fortunately, the book’s ending is Tommy is reunited with his brother and family but what a horrible childhood of neglect and abuse. “… if this short stay over the Christmas period went well, we would probably be able to come home permanently.”
This book constantly tugs at the reader's heart strings for the injustice and hardships the children endured. I recommend this book for anyone interested in social work, child neglect or related topics.
March 6, 2019
This book was brilliant.
I laughed, cried and wished i could make things better.
When I read, I always picture myself there looking on.
Brilliantly written and it goes to show, even after a tough upbringing you can still become a better person on the other side.
I definitely recommend it's worth a read. If you are into this genre of book you will enjoy it.
I take my hat off to you Tommy. You are a beautiful, inspirational person inside and out.
I laughed, cried and wished i could make things better.
When I read, I always picture myself there looking on.
Brilliantly written and it goes to show, even after a tough upbringing you can still become a better person on the other side.
I definitely recommend it's worth a read. If you are into this genre of book you will enjoy it.
I take my hat off to you Tommy. You are a beautiful, inspirational person inside and out.
May 16, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, Tommy Rhattigan and Mirror Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars.
This was such a rough read. Its very heart felt, very honest, and very raw. Its emotional and not for those who are extremely sensitive as this is a really heartbreaking story. It really gets to you you know when you read a story such as this. That there are people out there that are real monsters. One day I hope we live in a world where issues such as mentioned in this book, are only the stuff of nightmares.
The reason I've given this 3 stars, which is still good, is because it wasnt exactly my style of writing. Dont get me wrong, it wasn't badly written, just not my type thats all.
3 stars.
This was such a rough read. Its very heart felt, very honest, and very raw. Its emotional and not for those who are extremely sensitive as this is a really heartbreaking story. It really gets to you you know when you read a story such as this. That there are people out there that are real monsters. One day I hope we live in a world where issues such as mentioned in this book, are only the stuff of nightmares.
The reason I've given this 3 stars, which is still good, is because it wasnt exactly my style of writing. Dont get me wrong, it wasn't badly written, just not my type thats all.
October 10, 2019
I have read a lot of true stories like Tommy’s but this is the first time I read a book like this written in such a humorous way & I love the fact that he is able to be funny despite his terrible childhood. This book is the follow up to his first book 1963 A Slice of Bread & Jam & I highly recommend both books
March 6, 2022
This is a sobering autobiography covering the author's time in an approved school in Liverpool during the 1960s. The level of abuse meted out to the boys is shocking – as is the fact that he welcomed an abusive sexual relationship with one of the teachers because it shielded him from some of the violence and provided him with certain privileges - as well as the fantasy that he was loved. Something else that is striking is the trauma that is caused to him by being separated from his siblings. This issue is something that has been ignored until very recently. Children who are taken into care because of dysfunctional families often rely on their siblings to provide them with the mutual support that their parents have failed to give.
July 22, 2025
What an incredible amount of courage it must have taken Rhattigan to write his story. It's amazing that he writes so well, considering he was illiterate until middle/late elementary school.
The author has a real ear for dialogue and description, and an ability to find humor in some pretty horrible situations. I found this a tough read though, much more so than his first book. That had some disturbing content too, but Boy Number 26 is unrelenting and unflinching in its recounting of mental, physical and sexual abuse in the institution he was remanded to.
A bleak but never despairing narrative of one child's story that was and is sadly replicated many times in countless institutions. What a sad indictment that of society at large.
The author has a real ear for dialogue and description, and an ability to find humor in some pretty horrible situations. I found this a tough read though, much more so than his first book. That had some disturbing content too, but Boy Number 26 is unrelenting and unflinching in its recounting of mental, physical and sexual abuse in the institution he was remanded to.
A bleak but never despairing narrative of one child's story that was and is sadly replicated many times in countless institutions. What a sad indictment that of society at large.
June 20, 2019
To be able to write about a very harrowing and destructive experience with honesty, humour and without a hint of self pity, is an amazing achievement.
There is no sense of the author making himself out to be some sort of goody goody, he dispassionately writes of his own failings and misdemeanours, at the same time showing compassion and consideration towards those less fortunate than himself. That such cruelty as described exists in the world, often under a cloak of respectability and apparent goodness is something we all like to forget and ignore. I have great respect for this author in rising above a traumatic childhood .
I considered the book well written, a compelling read
There is no sense of the author making himself out to be some sort of goody goody, he dispassionately writes of his own failings and misdemeanours, at the same time showing compassion and consideration towards those less fortunate than himself. That such cruelty as described exists in the world, often under a cloak of respectability and apparent goodness is something we all like to forget and ignore. I have great respect for this author in rising above a traumatic childhood .
I considered the book well written, a compelling read
March 11, 2024
A very disturbing read. Tommy was one of 12 or 13 children whose parents were violent alcoholics and should never have had children. They were left to fend for themselves until social services removed them and placed them into care. But as he rightly says “putting a child into care doesn’t mean caring for a child.” He received no care in all those years apart from having a roof over his head and food.
As he moved through the system things got worse and worse and he was dreadfully sexually abused, ignored and not educated at all.
It is to his credit that he is now an author, poet and artist.
As he moved through the system things got worse and worse and he was dreadfully sexually abused, ignored and not educated at all.
It is to his credit that he is now an author, poet and artist.
March 17, 2019
This is a disturbing and pretty horrific autobiography. The injustice and systematic abuse within the care system during the 1960’s almost beggars belief. It’s hard to comprehend such unnecessary cruelty from adults who were meant to caring for vulnerable young people. It’s an easy to read narrative and completely compelling. I could barely put this book down over the 2 day period that I read it. I truly hope the author found his peace as an adult and got some justice for those involved in the care homes.
July 13, 2021
A very moving account of a boy caught up into the care system and the systematic sexual and physical abuse that happened within these hostels. Well written and discreetly done around the chapters which contained memories of abuse. Would like to have known what happened to those teachers who abused their power once allegations came to light and for anyone wanting to read this book I would suggest reading his first novel 1963: a slice of bread and jam as I didn’t and would have stopped me wanting to know more about his earlier family years as doesn’t go into great detail within this book.
April 2, 2019
Wow!
After reading your first book “ a slice of bread and jam” I was enthralled by your down to earth style of writing whilst telling your life story( a lot of which I could relate to) , I then downloaded and read this unputdownable book. I think you are a very brave and inspirational person who told your story that will hopefully help others to tell theirs.
After reading your first book “ a slice of bread and jam” I was enthralled by your down to earth style of writing whilst telling your life story( a lot of which I could relate to) , I then downloaded and read this unputdownable book. I think you are a very brave and inspirational person who told your story that will hopefully help others to tell theirs.
November 6, 2019
Truest book I've read to date
This book is so beautiful. The author show honesty about the time he was in care. The brutal time's the time's he had fun with his friends and most of all the true feelings he had at first for his abuser. Would definitely recommend this book. Well done for you
This book is so beautiful. The author show honesty about the time he was in care. The brutal time's the time's he had fun with his friends and most of all the true feelings he had at first for his abuser. Would definitely recommend this book. Well done for you
January 18, 2020
Having read Tommy’s earlier book “A Slice of Bread and Jam” which was, overall,an enjoyable book despite the neglect that Tommy suffered. However this is a book of horror and dreadful despair. A very difficult book to read as there are very few snippets of joy. I have the utmost respect for Tommy being able to go through the trauma again in writing this book. Despite the very difficult content it’s a really “easy” book to read. This book will be helpful to many to understand the horror of sexual abuse and why it’s just impossible for a child to say NO. As a psychiatric nurse I worked with many adult survivors of abuse who blamed themselves; I hope this will be a book survivors read and fully realise it was NEVER their fault.
February 17, 2021
Tough story, but sadly, not an unusual one. Pretty heartbreaking to read accounts of children abused by those who invested with caring for them. Just brutal. I am glad to see so many of these now grown children are calling people, governments to account.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
March 11, 2026
Absolutely heartbreaking I can’t imagine what it must have been like as a child to live through this but also respect for the strength and determination to survive and get through.its a disgrace an institution which should have been looking out for the children in the home were able to get away with the abuse for so long. I’m glad it was investigated in the end even if it was years later.
March 24, 2019
Just finished reading this amazing book. Tommy Rhattigan's follow up to 1963 A slice of bread and jam . Boy number 26. Tommy's tales are hilarious at times and at others absolutely heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book it's a tough read in parts but worth it.
July 26, 2019
A damning indictment to the ways in which children were treated in the 60s/70s whilst in care. Absolutely abhorrent and totally disgusting misuse of power in some cases, whilst also highlighting the decent people whom endeavoured to help these children.
October 3, 2019
VERY brave to re-live this past
This is a book that brings opposing emotions: happiness and sadness, joy and anger, amusement and misery; at parts I laughed, and parts I almost cried.
Tommy, I hope you found the writing of this book cathartic
This is a book that brings opposing emotions: happiness and sadness, joy and anger, amusement and misery; at parts I laughed, and parts I almost cried.
Tommy, I hope you found the writing of this book cathartic
March 24, 2020
A harrowing read, it's so sad what these kids went through in 'care' homes and I'm sure abuse is still happening in care homes now 🙁. A close escape from The Moors Murderers 😱 thank you for sharing your story Tommy and hope those b******s got what they deserve
March 23, 2021
A harrowing ordeal of yesteryear from the authors painfully truthful experiences. The book itself was a constant page turner and the smaller chapters made each story easily distinguishable with the chronological order staying in tact.
January 18, 2024
This is a brilliant book, I had lots of laughs and some tears reading this. I couldn't put this book down. I definitely recommend reading this one if you haven't, and if you haven't read his first book 1963: A Slice of Bread and Jam I recommend reading that one first.
March 10, 2019
This is a very great book
Great book it has opened my eyes as behind happening years a ago best great book I have told my friend and family to read this book I give this book 10/10
Great book it has opened my eyes as behind happening years a ago best great book I have told my friend and family to read this book I give this book 10/10
April 22, 2019
A disturbing but compelling read following on directly from 1963 a slice of bread and jam.
May 1, 2019
Harrowing in parts, this is the story of a child who is unloved and abused in the all the worst ways.
A sad tale.
A sad tale.
February 19, 2021
A very moving book which I think is summed up by what was written on the front cover; "Putting a child in care doesn't mean caring for a child."
April 3, 2021
Some harrowing writing of Tommy's childhood in care.
October 19, 2021
I enjoyed the book but it was a but slow in some places but would read another of his books
March 12, 2024
Sad story but very authentic narrative. Glad he made it and could write this. It just shows what happens when many children go into care.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews