THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF A GORBALS GANGSTER

by Colin Macfarlane

Johnny McGrath, 21, was the leader of the notorious Glasgow razor gang The Gorbals Cumbie. He feared no-one, but was feared by many. This book follows his trials and tribulations as he led his gang into open warfare against other Glasgow gangs like the Tongs. Apart from fighting he not only recognised to be a bit of a street icon but a sex symbol with the young ladies. We follow his incredible rise from a wild street boy to a top notch gangster. This novel is based on a conglomeration of Gorbals characters, many of whom are no longer with us, but some are. The gang's battle cry was "Cumbie ya bass!" and struck terror into the hearts of many of those who heard it. This is a true life novel with violence, sex, Glaswegian humour, and madness on every page. It is probably the best novel about Glasgow gangs ever written.

514 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2019

Reviews

[Louise Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant! Based on true life stories experienced by the author on an odyssey growing up in the notorious Gorbals in the 1970’s, names have been changed to protect the innocent and the not so innocent! This book has been further enhanced by having a friend with a Glasgow accent to read parts of it to me! It is an absolute page turner and once you get half way through it is very, very difficult to put down. It picks up such a pace and you could imagine that you are one of Johnny’s gang or one of his admirers.
What do you read when this is over...I don’t know.

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual read but was recommended by a friend. Absolutely my first ever gangster story. But trust me you won't be disappointed. I was addicted after the first few pages. A background love story fronted by gangster life and humour.
It's based on the tough Gorbals area in Glasgow . It had me laughing, crying and shocked , a rollacoster of emotions , I was totally lost in it. I intend on reading previous books by Colin I suppose I have been bitten by the bug. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have .

[Joe Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got through the book in a couple of days, the storyline is what I expected and I enjoyed it but preferred no mean city when I read it a number of years ago. Having been brought up in Glasgow In the 60s & 70s I frequented some of the pubs mentioned and knew a few of the stallholders in paddy's market, I remember Arthur Blacks at St Enochs square who was legendary for his waistcoats and suits, some of the gangs mentioned are still in existence in the present day.

[Bill McFadyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glasgow and 1970s Gorbals - bad lads , drunks , poverty and violence. I am happy that I was not there at the time. The book is exactly as you would expect - my only really negative comment is the use and explanation of a Govan rhyming slang that is even worse that that of the Cockneys.
I reads as it says on the tin - grim , sad and with little joy.

[colette kerlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

I've read all of Colin's books and enjoyed every one of them. I have to say this one is the best.
I highly recommend this author.
Looking forward to his next book. Hopefully to hear how Johnny is getting on in Spain.

[. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly interesting!

A great read for anyone who knows the Gorbals in Glasgow.
The book is so interesting and paints an amazing picture of how tough living there was and indeed how tough you had to be to survive there.
Brilliant read

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty and full of humour

Loved this book. The author really brings the characters to life and you get a right sense of what the gorbals were like back in the seventies

[Yvonne Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written.

Straight forward . Couldn't put it down. I can plainly see the characters and the places . The way that he feels is so easily felt.

[Steve Davies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid.

I got to page 12 and gave up. There really is no need to write like people speak, especially Scottish people.... it was so annoying and unnecessary.

[Helen John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupendous novel about Glasgow Gangsters

Having never read anything from this author before, I was pleasantly surprised with how well crafted the story was. I was gripped from page one to the very end. I would highly recommend this novel and I am planning on reading some of his other works. The interaction between the main characters was funny and thought provoking. Definitely worth a read.

[Colino · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE BEST BOOK ABOUT GLASGOW GANGSTERS EVER!

Great read about a young Gorbals gangster who has a meteoric rise through the Glasgow underworld....a real page turner.