The Boy who Lived with Ghosts

John Mitchell

2013

ISBN 0615793207

This is not a book I would choose without a prompt to do so, but I’m glad I gave it a go.

The settings - housing estates and pubs - paint a vivid picture right from the beginning, and the interactions of the family members bring to life an interesting and volatile childhood that, although it’s revealed in a touching and amusing way, is quite shocking at the same time.

I liked the way John parroted the phrases of the adults around him, casually pointing out that he’d break his bloody neck one day, and the way he started each chapter with a complete deconstruction of any earlier optimism made it hard to remember that this isn’t fiction - this was a real childhood, shocking in places and difficult by any standards.

Margueretta takes centre stage, claiming any and all attention, healthy or not, and in the early days of mental illness diagnoses, created every kind of tension in an already tough situation.  I felt sympathetic to the entire family, but perhaps for John’s mother most of all, and her breakdown was more expected than surprising. 

This was a fascinating glimpse into a different time, and a different way of life.  

Finished 28/10/13
Read as monthly read for OnlineBookclub.org

Unseen Unheard Unknown

Sarah Hamilton-Byrne
1995
0-14-01743406

Raised in a private compound belonging to a secretive cult, Sarah spends her childhood and puberty in the centre of what it known as The Family. This is her story, from earliest memory to her escape, and the struggle she has faced to adapt to the outside world.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this, but her style is friendly and casual, and easy to get lost in. She is very respectful of the brothers and sisters who shared her ordeal, and is careful to make sure the reader is aware that she speaks only for herself and of her own experiences.

Of her experiences, I am a little torn. On one hand, I admit that I can't comprehend the sheer misery and fear that she has tried to convey - the incidents she recalls are horrific - and at the same time I am awed by the strength she has had to overcome her depression and suicidal thoughts.

Date Finished: 02/03/08
Year Total: 11

Search for the Strangler

Casey Sherman
2003
ISBN 0-446-61468-8

The nephew of the Strangler's last victim, Mary Sullivan, Sherman was introduced to the tragedy by his mother as a teenager, learning that she never believed Albert DeSalvo - the man the State chose - did it.

Deciding to unearth the truth, Sherman starts his own investigation, growing more determined as the authorities refused to co-operate or share what they knew, and even refused to show at scheduled meetings. Using the media to force the state to help, Sherman makes enough headway to prove that DeSalvo was not the Boston Strangler, and leaves the state with two important questions to answer: who did kill all those women, and who is going to be blamed for letting convenient politics get in the way of justice?

Date Finished: 19/02/08
Year Total: 7

Ocean's End

Colin Woodard
2000
0-465-01571-9

From the Black Sea to the Southern Ocean, Woodard has travelled the seas, talking to anyone he could along the way. Everyone told him the same thing, which he has turned into a compelling and disheartening book: the oceans are in a bad way and getting worse.

While there are accounts of beautiful coral reefs and unique wildlife, ultimately this book filled me with despair. Written in 2000, several predictions have already been fulfilled, most notably the disastrous effects a full force hurricane would have on New Orleans. It seems the rest is coming true as well, at a slower rate.

I learnt a lot from this, and really wish it was required reading for everyone; a good dose of environmentalism is clearly what is needed, and this book delivers in spades.

Date Finished: 06/02/08
Year Total: 5

Mankind: Have A Nice Day

Mick Foley
1999
ISBN 0-06-103101-1

Mankind, in his leather mask and bearing weapons, is one of the biggest fan favourites in the WWE, as well as being one of my favourites. He has a sense of humour alongside his willingness to sacrifice his own body for the entertainment of others, and the back of this book has a partial list of all the injuries he has sustained in his career.

I was interested in this book for two reasons: one, that I'm a fan of Foley, whether he's Cactus Jack, Mankind or Dude Love, and two, I'm as interested in the behind-the-scenes as I am in the show itself. I want to know how it works, and was looking forward to discovering how scripted things actually are.

This book was a surprise, and a good one. Foley is a great writer, injecting a real thread of humour through a story of frustration, determination and celebration. He touched on events that I remember, which seemed to make it more personal, and the photos scattered throughout helped to paint a blood red portrait of an amazing career.

What struck me most was not the self-sacrifice, or the determination to drive thousands of miles to learn how to tackle another wrestler, but a photo plonked into the story with a footnote buried at the end - a bloodied Mick Foley lying on the floor, a towel around his face. Doctors are busy stitching his face up, while his young daughter cheers him up by offering him lollies. That photo made me realise that this is not an extension of the make believe world of feuds and fights, but a real story, about a real guy with real, attainable dreams.

Date Finished: 09/11/07
Year Total: 37

Suffer The Little Children

Barbara Davis
1999
ISBN 0-7860-0664-1

This is the story of Jesse Cummings, a man driven by rage and violence, who was responsible for the murder of his sister and the rape and murder of his 11-year-old niece.

This was not an easy book to read. Actual content aside - the details of beatings, rapes and mental abuse is horrific - it wasn't written very well. The narrative is jerky, bouncing from the central story to the backstories of people just getting involved, and things are omitted or referred to without being explained (After everyone was arrested there is no further mention of the children until the epilogue, so we don't know what actually happened to them after the police raided the house).

The people are painted as barely as possible - there are accounts of events, but nothing that really offers a sense of who these people were, apart from repeated reminders that they were a monster and two broken women.

Jesse Cummings was sentenced to death for the crimes he was convicted for, and the author takes great delight in pointing out that he is now in a cell, forced to obey the orders of others. While the death sentence is certainly a fitting punishment, there is no record of his attitude or demeanour once the verdict was read, which I would have found interesting, if only to confirm how much of a sociopath he is/was.

Date Finished: 20/10/07
Year Total: 35

It's Not News, It's Fark

Drew Curtis
2007

Fark.com is one of my favourite websites, and the best place online for news. Drew Curtis, the man behind the curtain, has spent more time than anyone looking at thousands of news articles, so he is definitely an authority on where Mass Media is going wrong, and what it's doing right.

Even with only a passing interest in politics, America law or the behind-the-scenes of how Mass Media operates, this book is hugely entertaining. Curtis has the ability to cut through the buzzwords and bullshit, leaving you with a much better understanding of how you're being manipulated, and he does it while making you laugh.

Date Finished: 25/06/07
Year Total: 19

A Cat Called Birmingham

Chris Pascoe
2004

A non-fiction book about a mans cat. Not exactly a prize-winning topic but Brum is certainly not an average cat.

It's a tale of miracles - or at least the fact Brum made it to adulthood seems to be a miracle. The recounting of how Brum sets himself on fire multiple times, goes belly-flopping into ponds, off walls and onto moving cars is hilarious, as is the strange relationship between cat and toddler.

There are distractions though - imaginery holidays and tales of other, less interesting cats are less appealing, and at times downright irritating, but the pages devoted to Brum make it worthwhile.

Date Finished: 18/06/07
Year Total: 18

Not In The Guide Book: The Wackiest Sights on Google Earth

Alex Turnbull & James Turnbull
2006

This little album appealed to the voyeur in me - taking a peek at other places that other people have been peeking at as well.

Each image is explained in a few paragraphs, and compass, scale and co-ordinates are supplied if you want to see 'the real thing' on your own Google Earth. There is a good sense of humour throughout the tour, and it was an enjoyable way to pass the time. At 144 pages, it's a quick flick, but I think the fun feeling would have been lost if it was much longer.

Date Finished: 17/06/07
Year Total: 17