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A Belfast Child
John Chambers was brought up on Belfast's notorious Loyalist Glencairn estate, during the height of the Troubles. From an early age he witnessed violence, hatred and horror as Northern Ireland tore itself apart in civil strife. Kneecapping, brutal murders, and even public tarring-and-feathering were simply a fact of life for the children on the estate. He thought he knew which side he was on, but although raised as a Loyalist, he was hiding a troubling secret: that his disappeared mother - whom he'd always been told was dead - was a Roman Catholic, 'the enemy'.
In a memoir of rare power, John explores the dark heart of Northern Irish sectarianism in the 70s and 80s. With searing honesty and native Belfast wit, he describes the light and darkness of his unique childhood, and his teenage journey through mod culture and ultra-Loyalism, before an escape from Belfast to London - where, still haunted by the shadow of his fractured family history - he began a turbulent and hedonistic adulthood.
'A BELFAST CHILD' is a tale of divided loyalties, dark secrets and the scars left by hatred and violence on a proud city - but also a story of hope, healing and ultimate redemption for a family caught in the rising tide of the Troubles.
©2020 John Chambers (P)2020 Bonnier Publishing
In a memoir of rare power, John explores the dark heart of Northern Irish sectarianism in the 70s and 80s. With searing honesty and native Belfast wit, he describes the light and darkness of his unique childhood, and his teenage journey through mod culture and ultra-Loyalism, before an escape from Belfast to London - where, still haunted by the shadow of his fractured family history - he began a turbulent and hedonistic adulthood.
'A BELFAST CHILD' is a tale of divided loyalties, dark secrets and the scars left by hatred and violence on a proud city - but also a story of hope, healing and ultimate redemption for a family caught in the rising tide of the Troubles.
©2020 John Chambers (P)2020 Bonnier Publishing
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 11, 2020
Through the eyes of a child, John Chambers reflects as an adult on how decisions of so many when you are a child can continue to have an impact well into adulthood.
Set amidst The Troubles in Northern Ireland Chambers relieves the tensions of growing up a Protestant in violent times where retribution dominates. His Catholic mother is ostracised from the community and soon he finds himself and his three siblings essentially orphaned after his father passes. Despite this the family keeps him from his mother.
What follows are the traumas both personally and culturally in an unstable world.
Despite tensions between the religions remaining unresolved, Chambers has many personal and emotional discoveries in this factual account of his life.
Set amidst The Troubles in Northern Ireland Chambers relieves the tensions of growing up a Protestant in violent times where retribution dominates. His Catholic mother is ostracised from the community and soon he finds himself and his three siblings essentially orphaned after his father passes. Despite this the family keeps him from his mother.
What follows are the traumas both personally and culturally in an unstable world.
Despite tensions between the religions remaining unresolved, Chambers has many personal and emotional discoveries in this factual account of his life.
September 17, 2020
Excellent Book
Really interesting and well told true life account. Would definitely recommend this book found it hard to put down well worth it
Really interesting and well told true life account. Would definitely recommend this book found it hard to put down well worth it
December 28, 2024
5 ⭐
An eye opening memoir about life growing up in Belfast.
Fast paced, written well and honestly couldn't put it down.
Honest and brutal account of the daily life living in Belfast and the pressures and violence between the Protestant and the Catholics.
John gives a huge insight into his family, school and home life while taking us through his journey from childhood to adulthood and is openly honest with everything he's dealt with.
I initially picked this up to only read the 1st page as I do with all my new books but found I kept reading and I'm so glad I did. A truly fab book beginning to end.
Would highly recommend 💕
An eye opening memoir about life growing up in Belfast.
Fast paced, written well and honestly couldn't put it down.
Honest and brutal account of the daily life living in Belfast and the pressures and violence between the Protestant and the Catholics.
John gives a huge insight into his family, school and home life while taking us through his journey from childhood to adulthood and is openly honest with everything he's dealt with.
I initially picked this up to only read the 1st page as I do with all my new books but found I kept reading and I'm so glad I did. A truly fab book beginning to end.
Would highly recommend 💕
February 13, 2023
I was very attracted to this because it promised to offer the reader a less publicised view of Northern Ireland's working class Protestants, as experienced during period known as "the troubles". The author sets out, in the preface his position and credentials, which he determinately maintains throughout the book, although unsuccessfully. He advises at the outset that he is no historian while asserting that he loves history and reads it with a particular interest in military history. Yet he fails to examine the basic history of his own geneses. He lived in little Distillery Street off the Grosvenor Road in Belfast. And without any detail expects the reader to believe that his family were forced out of their home (which had it been true was a dreadful thing to have happened) and that it was Republicans/Nationalists who were responsible for this initial and subsequent hasty moves. Had he done any research he would have found that, (in Little Distillery Street) in the year he was born 1966, Catholic Families were been intimidated from their homes by their Protestant neighbours. And that the resurgent UVF had embarked upon a campaign of murder against random Catholics in Belfast. This quickly became a bombing campaign before the Provisional IRA came into existence.
Chambers tells the reader that he is a committed "Loyalist" without explaining what that means, sadly a missed opportunity. A big part of his life and one that clearly challenged him was his parents relationship and its breakdown. I was interested to learn about this, given that in 1960's Belfast mixed marriages were frowned upon but he failed to deliver on this. He tells us that his Father was a proud member of the Orange Order, an organisation that had rules against members even attending a catholic religious service. So for a member of the Order to marry a catholic would have meant expulsion, why did he not consider this as a possible cause for the breakdown of the marriage? Later he tells us that both he and his Father Joined the sectarian UDA, by the time he joined he was aware that he had been christened a catholic and half of his family were also catholic, he fails to offer any explanation or rationale for such actions.
All in all I was disappointed by this work and can only imagine the confusion it may have left in the minds of any readers with little or no knowledge of this place, such as, what reason was given for the change of forenames for 2 of his siblings and was it a legal change of name? It was despite the forgoing one persons reflection of their life but full of misconceptions and stereotyping, of which there are too many to set out here, which added nothing to an understanding of the authors stated purpose.
Chambers tells the reader that he is a committed "Loyalist" without explaining what that means, sadly a missed opportunity. A big part of his life and one that clearly challenged him was his parents relationship and its breakdown. I was interested to learn about this, given that in 1960's Belfast mixed marriages were frowned upon but he failed to deliver on this. He tells us that his Father was a proud member of the Orange Order, an organisation that had rules against members even attending a catholic religious service. So for a member of the Order to marry a catholic would have meant expulsion, why did he not consider this as a possible cause for the breakdown of the marriage? Later he tells us that both he and his Father Joined the sectarian UDA, by the time he joined he was aware that he had been christened a catholic and half of his family were also catholic, he fails to offer any explanation or rationale for such actions.
All in all I was disappointed by this work and can only imagine the confusion it may have left in the minds of any readers with little or no knowledge of this place, such as, what reason was given for the change of forenames for 2 of his siblings and was it a legal change of name? It was despite the forgoing one persons reflection of their life but full of misconceptions and stereotyping, of which there are too many to set out here, which added nothing to an understanding of the authors stated purpose.
October 5, 2022
2022-10-04: 10%
People can be so disgusting.
On one hand I am glad this guy decided to write his story. In its subjectivity, this story can help people distance themselves from the historians serving a king or another.
On the other hand, it's amazing how disgusting people can be. The guy explains how all these experiences, all the history, and even moving out, all weren't enough to distance himself from the savage bands of imbeciles. He is a proud loyalist. And it doesn't matter the gang, as the gangs were all the same, the same yellow, crooked teeth, only the names slightly different. And the story of the lynching of the young woman makes his attachment to whatever cause even more despicable. More, he remains the weakling he was all his life: he knows who the participants were, yet the heroic aggressors remain nameless.
People can be so disgusting.
On one hand I am glad this guy decided to write his story. In its subjectivity, this story can help people distance themselves from the historians serving a king or another.
On the other hand, it's amazing how disgusting people can be. The guy explains how all these experiences, all the history, and even moving out, all weren't enough to distance himself from the savage bands of imbeciles. He is a proud loyalist. And it doesn't matter the gang, as the gangs were all the same, the same yellow, crooked teeth, only the names slightly different. And the story of the lynching of the young woman makes his attachment to whatever cause even more despicable. More, he remains the weakling he was all his life: he knows who the participants were, yet the heroic aggressors remain nameless.
April 5, 2021
This book tells the true story of John Chambers, who was brought up on the Glencairn estate in Belfast during the time of the troubles. It gives a first hand account of the day to day pressures and violence between Protestant and Catholics. I found this a really honest and brutal read. I really enjoyed it.
October 14, 2020
A brilliant moving book highlighting the troubles.We get a glimpse in to the life of a boy in the troubles.The cruelty of secteriaism is seen.For many years he lost contact with his mum who was a catholic.A book which allows us to see the troubles from a young loyalist boys viewpoint.
October 6, 2020
A story that touches the heart
A brilliant read for those of us born in the 60’s. Life was simple however could be hard at the same time. Spent a lot of time in Belfast so could picture the streets and the areas in the book . Grew up in the same culture in the West of Scotland so could relate to every story. Loved the references to the mod music . The book is realistic, humorous and moving.
A brilliant read for those of us born in the 60’s. Life was simple however could be hard at the same time. Spent a lot of time in Belfast so could picture the streets and the areas in the book . Grew up in the same culture in the West of Scotland so could relate to every story. Loved the references to the mod music . The book is realistic, humorous and moving.
June 29, 2021
'Page turner' is a phrase that is normally reserved for novels but this book had me gripped and I found it really hard to put down. I found out about this book when I came across John on Twitter. I was intrigued to know his story and I expected the book to be interesting but it surpassed my expectations. I live in Belfast and know the Glencairn area where John grew up and have my own childhood memories of the troubles so I was able understand the context of the environment he grew up in. The book moves at a good pace and had me eager to find out what happened next. The only negative I have about the book is that there are some editing and proofreading issues (I have an eagle eye for that type of thing), but that is down to the publishing team and not the author and I didn't feel it warranted removing a star. John's story is a remarkable one and I highly recommend this book, not just as a fascinating story of one man's experiences in a challenging world but also as a life-affirming message that we can all find a path through whatever difficulties life throws at us.
March 16, 2021
The author was born and grew up in Belfast during the most turbulent years of the civil war in the 60s and 70s. It is hard to believe the horror and violence he lived through coming from a staunch loyalist family with a dangerous secret. But through it he came and then followed a decade of excess which could have spiralled out of control if not for two life changing events. A captivating page-turning memoir written with searing honesty and without an ounce of self pity.
October 6, 2021
A great insight into a tragic time in our history
A story of a young man living through The Troubles as an orphan in Belfast. An honest account of the numerous struggles he encountered throughout his childhood and his constant painful desire to understand why his mother he left him & his siblings when they were very young.
To follow this man's story from boyhood to man, leaving behind Belfast for London is at times a tragically sad tale, but it is recorded so eloquently and realistically that you cannot help but to admire John's character & strength. I fully recommend this book if you want to understand this sad time in Belfast's past told by someone who lived through it.
A story of a young man living through The Troubles as an orphan in Belfast. An honest account of the numerous struggles he encountered throughout his childhood and his constant painful desire to understand why his mother he left him & his siblings when they were very young.
To follow this man's story from boyhood to man, leaving behind Belfast for London is at times a tragically sad tale, but it is recorded so eloquently and realistically that you cannot help but to admire John's character & strength. I fully recommend this book if you want to understand this sad time in Belfast's past told by someone who lived through it.
October 16, 2021
I found this very interesting to listen to, I've never read much into the Troubles or heard about it much. So to hear about John's upbringing amidst the worst of it, to hear the crap they dealt with day in day out as though that was a normal life is truly eye opening. To add to that his family issues, I have the upmost respect for him and his family for carrying on with life as they did, to bringing life into the world, a better world than what they had. Truly eye opening to read!
May 7, 2021
I listened to A Belfast Child on audiobook, which I think is part of why I enjoyed it. It was a little bit of a slow listen, but mostly because it wasn't the kind of thing I'd particularly listen to just before bed - though that's obviously no fault of the book itself. It provided an interesting insight into the life of Chambers as a child in loyalist Belfast.
November 26, 2022
Loved it! I felt it was critical to read an opposite perspective of “The Troubles”, after reading “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland” by writer and journalist Patrick Radden Keefe. This was written from the personal experience of John Chambers and his siblings as children growing up in Belfast from a Protestant, Loyalist perspective. It did not disappoint.
August 13, 2023
I normally don’t like biography’s at all, but I really enjoyed Chambers’ wit and felt genuinely engaged with his story! I visited Belfast recently and was looking to get more perspective on the troubles in the city, this book definitely provided great insight! It was also just such an honest telling of love, loss, and life as a whole. Definitely worth a read!
December 1, 2023
An interesting memoir of the Troubles and the journey of one particular loyalist family told from the perspective of John Chambers, a child of the 1960s, who grew up in Belfast in the heat of the conflict. There was a very authentic, heartwarming feel to the narrative despite the heavy and at-times-controversial subject matter. I thoroughly enjoyed Patrick Moy's narration of the audiobook.
December 12, 2023
A story of trying to grow up normal in an environment full of hate and violence. He was at least smart enough to know there was no logic behind the hate and discrimination dished out, and that he witnessed upon others daily, any another kid however, might have become bitter and twisted, hateful and damaged when surrounded by that every day. Intersting how abnormal can become some people’s normal and how it can scar you
January 30, 2025
Powerfully moving memoir of overcoming tragedy that, in every important respect, parallels Mairia Cahill's *Rough Beast*. Shows that the horror of abuse is something that transcends the divides.
Far more warmly human than the sterile chronologies of outsiders like Padraig O'Malley and Peter Taylor.
Far more warmly human than the sterile chronologies of outsiders like Padraig O'Malley and Peter Taylor.
April 9, 2021
A good memoir of growing up in Belfast in the 70s and 80s after his father’s death and his mother’s disappearance. If you liked Patrick Madden Keefe’s “Say Nothing” you will appreciate “Belfast Child”.
November 16, 2021
Brilliant
Best book I have read for a long time ,I now have a better understanding of just how bad things were in northern Ireland during the troubles ... Glad the author got his life together . Both happy and sad ,highly recommended.
Best book I have read for a long time ,I now have a better understanding of just how bad things were in northern Ireland during the troubles ... Glad the author got his life together . Both happy and sad ,highly recommended.
January 7, 2023
I absolutely loved this!
Slightly uncomfortable at first, with very strong loyalist point of views, but John Chambers is extremely honest and raw in his memoir. Growing up seeing death, bombs, riots and a deep sense of loyalty to the Crown, John Chambers has to deal with grief most of his life.
Slightly uncomfortable at first, with very strong loyalist point of views, but John Chambers is extremely honest and raw in his memoir. Growing up seeing death, bombs, riots and a deep sense of loyalty to the Crown, John Chambers has to deal with grief most of his life.
March 24, 2025
An interesting look at life in Loyalist Shankill and the paramilitaries as police force and social and financial aid services.
And an example of how intercommunity conflict can rip friends and family apart.
I also appreciated the chapters documenting Belfast's Mod scene.
And an example of how intercommunity conflict can rip friends and family apart.
I also appreciated the chapters documenting Belfast's Mod scene.
September 17, 2020
Gripping
Enjoyed the book very much. So many times I tried to put it down but couldn't. excellent from start to finish. One I Will remember.
Enjoyed the book very much. So many times I tried to put it down but couldn't. excellent from start to finish. One I Will remember.
February 12, 2021
Funny, sad, heart-warming, and sometimes shocking true life tale of a child growing up in Belfast during the troubles. Loved it.
March 25, 2021
Honest portrayal, sometimes shocking, sometimes funny.
July 2, 2021
Great book highlighting growing up in the troubles.
December 28, 2021
Tidy
A good read but a sad story losing your mum and dad at such a young age thoroughly enjoyed it and would. recommend this to anyone who's interested in this subject
A good read but a sad story losing your mum and dad at such a young age thoroughly enjoyed it and would. recommend this to anyone who's interested in this subject
May 15, 2022
Amazing book wat a page turner had it read in 2days
March 27, 2024
Very good easy to read .
July 22, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A very insightful and honest reflection on the life and times of an awful period of history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews