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A Belfast Child

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A Belfast Child

By: John Chambers
Narrated by: Patrick Moy
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About this listen

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 Europe Freedom & Security Politics & Government War & Crisis Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Inspiring

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All stars
Most relevant
I enjoyed this book, very warm and heartfelt. So glad you got to spend those years with your mum, and it shows what an open heart you have, to embrace everyone no matter how diverse they are from yourself. Be v proud.

Heart warming

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As a catholic I thought this book would give me an insight from across the divide .
I enjoyed this so much . I laughed and cried .
After I finished I truly believed I knew John as he could have been any one of my family .
It was very open and honest .
Thank you john for sharing your life .

Captivating

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I grew up near Glencairn myself & this brought back so many memories of my youth .. funny & so very sad at times powerful wee book & worth a credit

Loved it

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Well written and a great narrator. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to his story and how he coped with his distressing situation.
I admire his truthfulness, no way did he attempt to paint himself a saint. He did his best through all.
Delighted the ways things turned out eventually.

Enlightening

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I absolutely loved this book, so well written I could feel every emotion in this story. I am exactly the same age as the author therefore can relate to outside experiences. well worth a read.

a truly heart felt book

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