I Never Promised You A Rose Garden: A Memoir

by Jonny Oates

"The best book I have read all year. Simply brilliant." – Iain Dale "Oates takes you on an extraordinary journey … His is a life lesson that serendipity and courage can change things for good." – Laura Kuenssberg, former BBC political editor "Few in political life are as candid about the underpinning of what drives them. A gripping tale of escape and rescue, this is the story of the making of a liberal soul." – Gary Gibbon, political editor, Channel 4 News *** Aged fifteen, armed with a credit card stolen from his father, Jonny Oates ran away from home and boarded a plane to Addis Ababa. His plan? To save the Ethiopian people from the devastating 1985 famine. Discovering that demand for the assistance of unskilled fifteen-year-old English boys was limited, he swiftly learned that you can't change the world by pure force of will – a lesson that would prove invaluable in politics. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden charts Oates's journey from his darkest moments alone in Ethiopia, struggling with his sexuality and mental health, to the heart of Westminster, where, as Nick Clegg's chief of staff, he grapples with the compromises and concessions of coalition. Shot through with a captivating warmth and humour, this heart-stoppingly candid memoir reflects on the challenges of balancing idealism and pragmatism, illustrating how lasting change comes from working together rather than standing alone.

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2022

Reviews

[Dynesti · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

when I first started reading this book, I will admit, it was sort of difficult to understand what was going on due to the storyline switching from Deborah's fantasy world to real life, but once I eventually started to understand the story more I fell in love with it.

Deborah's coping mechanism to her real life problems were very intriguing to me. i found it very unique how she copes with her real life struggles which brought me closer to the book and thinking about it all day when I first started it.

even though I do believe it's a very beautiful book, It simply was not for me. my deep love for this story was lost once it started continuously speaking about politics. me personally, I'm not at all interested in politics so I found it very boring and dreadful to continue reading.

[Michael Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book skilfully weaves the personal and political to tell an important story. It is a very open and revealing account of Jonny’s fascinating, and on many occasions challenging, life journey. Refreshingly, he does not spare himself (or his political colleagues!) along the way and it is all the more valuable for that. Not every memory of the Coalition is a happy one, but the honesty and humour in this book are very helpful to those of us who were there!

[Mark Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonny’s book is absolutely fascinating, interesting and engaging as well as heartfelt and open. I was in tears by page 65 when Father Charles Sherlock rescues a brave and confused young man. His time in Zimbabwe as a young man shapes him and leads him to helping South Africa ease into a multiparty democracy. Jonny writes with an open heart and with balanced reflection.

[Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. Written by someone who had schizophrenia and her experiences and years later was able to use her real name which she wasn't able to when she first wrote the book due to people's views on mental illnesses.

[John Lehal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing read, Jonny tells his fascinating life story with incredible candour. It is a book defined by love and kindness, weaving together many themes into a compelling life story.

[Kristofer Grattan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Roisin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and compelling story. Whether you’re interested in politics or not, there is much here which will be of interest. Well worth a read!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

My original review has been wiped and I read this 6 months ago, so as a note to myself I will just say this was a warm political memoir that I enjoyed reading.