The Magic in the Tin: From the author of the critically acclaimed THE BOY ON THE SHED

by Paul Ferris

' please read this extraordinary book.' - Daily Mail'A triumph ... A worthy follow-up to The Boy on the Shed .' - Jeff Stelling'All men should read this book - important and brilliantly written.' - Alan Shearer'Genius... A difficult, deeply personal story beautifully told.' – George Caulkin, The Athletic----From the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, The Boy on the Shed , comes a powerful tale of grit and resilience, told with great humour, openness and profound bravery.Former Newcastle United winger Paul Ferris was 51. He had successfully forged a post-football career as a physio, barrister and then a CEO, and his award-winning memoir, The Boy on the Shed , was just about to be published. But then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This honest, sometimes brutal and frequently funny book tells the story of what happened next.Prostate cancer . It's a phrase that strikes fear into the heart of every man. It's the most common male cancer, but treatable if it's caught early enough. Paul doesn't shy away from describing that treatment. And neither does he hold back on its life-changing consequences – from harrowing surgery, humiliating procedures and excruciating consultations – as he strives to become the man he once was again.The mental challenges and psychological impact of living with this acute condition are explored in Paul's revealing and riveting narrative that represents rare male honesty, but this is never a 'poor me' book or not in any way self-pitying. Courageous, inspirational and beautifully written, The Magic in the Tin is a rare deeply moving yet rich in humour, written by a true sportsman in every sense of the word.A brutal and poignant account of one man's journey through prostate cancer.

240 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

open and honest about the author's experience of prostate cancer and his journey

[Johnboy Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful finish to the book, much like the Man on The Shed, end a brutal but poignant journey through Paul's heart condition and his prostate cancer.

It is a brutally honest account and some of not for the faint hearted, but there are some really funny moments too. As someone who has also had a catheter fitted and had a less inoccous incident (I rolled over onto my side not knowing I had one in and trapped it under my leg, giving me a rather startling wake up....) I was sympathising but also laughing at his worse endeavours.
I haven't read The Boy On The Shed, but I'm going to look it out.

[Eddie Hillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story, had me gripped from the beginning! Would recommend to anyone, especially men, to read.

[Chris B · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to make a drama out of a crisis.

While this is an important subject, and therefore should be an important book, it is only one person's experience and rather histrionic storytelling.

I'll still give it 3 stars because it tackles a difficult subject, but don't believe that everything Ferris writes is typical or likely to befall the majority of prostate cancer sufferers/survivors.

I have a different story. I was diagnosed with intermediate localised prostate cancer in January 2021, had a mini-stroke the next month just 10 days after the first Covid vaccination, couldn't have a prostatectomy because of the stroke which delayed treatment decisions, had an awful time on statins before discovering that there are alternatives, had the standard 6 months of hormone therapy and standard 20 days of radiotherapy, followed by post-radiotherapy proctitis. My issues and problems are different from his.

While I still have some issues nearly 2 years later these are much less now than they were, I had an easier time while on holiday this year than last, I'm off the worst of the medications, and I remain in remission from the cancer.

We're all different and have different stories of side effects and of coping: don't be scared by some of the things that Ferris writes, or by my experiences. Just get checked and get treated: it's always better than the alternative.

[Nicola Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brave and brutally honest book about his diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (oops, nearly called it prostrate!) that I will be making sure my husband and 2 teenage sons read. As a lifelong NUFC fan, I am loving his writing style and humour within adversity and am filled with admiration for him sharing the embarrassing as well as the every day side effects he suffered and I am sure that it will help many men to be that little bit braver in seeking help. I loved The Boy on the Shed, and am so pleased that this follow up is so well written. I started the book at 8 this morning and couldn't put it down till I finished.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "The Boy In The Shed" which was poignant and beautifully written and this is a worthy successor although a totally different type of book.

This covers the author's ongoing battle with his health following his initial heart attack. Now he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and this is the story of his experience with the disease and how expert medical care and the love of his family has helped get him through this ghastly experience.

The book goes into eyewatering detail about the ravages of prostate cancer, how it can be treated and the effects both the illness and the potential cures can have on both the mind and body.

There is a total honesty and lack of self-pity in his account of his struggles but perhaps I have heard a bit too much about penis pumps and the like!

This is a brave yet humorous book which will serve a valuable purpose by highlighting that this disease can be beaten and hopefully encouraging that every man goes and gets a PSA test regularly a prevention is far better than cure.

There is a heartwarming account of how he got his first book published and its unexpected success, and as an author myself I am well aware of how infuriating it is to go to the Amazon site, check the progress of your latest piece of work and scream blue murder at that ignoramus who gave you a totally unmerited two-star review.

Not that I think Paul Ferris all be getting too many of them for this excellent book.

Highly recommended.

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley review

I have been lucky enough to read this early via NetGalley.

The Magic In The Tin is the 2nd book by Paul Ferris ex professional football player, physio amongst other things. .

In this book he tells his story of being diagnosed with prostrate cancer having just survived a heart attack. This book tells you about the treatments and the horrible side affects. How it made him, his wife and 3 sons feel.

It’s not all sadness, there are some funny parts. I loved the writing style and the brutal honesty of exactly what he went through physically and emotionally.

All the time he was going through the treatment he was dealing with his publishing deal for his first book The Boy On The Shed. He tells about the publicity tour for the book and his excitement and sadness for the ones that won’t get to see him being a published author.

I really enjoyed this book. Yes it’s about a horrible time in Paul’s life but the way he writes just draws you in. I hope he has many more years with his family and the reason for the title of the book was beautiful.

[Michael Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, candid at times brutal read. Paul's experiences are at times funny and others very emotional but always honest. He is always brave enough to disclose all the indignities and embarrassing moments he has endured as he fights his Prostate Cancer. As a P. Cancer sufferer, myself I can sympathise with what he writes, though to date my experience has not been as bad as his. (fortunately) Paul also outlines the impact his illness has on his family; their support is invaluable. You have to fight it because let's face it the alternative is much worse.

[Mark Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable, and often moving account of a man’s health struggles. Contains lots of graphic detail about erectile dysfunction. Fairly loosely written and there are a few bits of repetition. Some of the style of the book is influenced by fact that he probably had breaks between writing chapters.
With all the revelatory material, it’s odd that between this book and the first there is no explanation about why he gave up practising the law.

[Dave B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you cry, laugh and not be able to put it down. Brilliant but I don't know where Paul goes from here, his first 2 books have been outstanding. Can he maintain this standard. A love story about his wife, mother and granddaughter, a tragedy about his illnesses, a tale of erections, incontinence, and Alan Shearer. Recommended.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes you really consider what you know about the Newcastle players of a particular era. The book was insightful on so many issues and I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to have read this! Thank you so much for the opportunity to NetGalley and the publisher

[Stuart Ovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every man should read this book to gain a better understanding of prostate cancer. Superbly written. It has you bursting out laughing one minute, then your eyes filling up the next.

[Mr Stephen McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Thanks for sharing so much, it’s another great read and sure to help so many. Love to you and the family.

[Trevor Arnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow up to boy on the shed
I didn’t realise that prostrate cancer had so many side effects