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A Belfast Child

My true story of life and death in the Troubles

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A Belfast Child

By: John Chambers
Narrated by: Patrick Moy
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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 seventies and eighties. 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. Europe Freedom & Security Politics & Government War & Crisis Emotionally Gripping
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I have to echo the review of so many others. The narration of this book ruins what was otherwise a great 'read'.

Why do people think that performing a Belfast accent is just a matter of going up at the end of sentences and throwing in the odd "so he did". STOP IT. The accent has been butchered over the years by Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, et al. Would it not have been possible to have this book read by someone from Belfast? I would imagine that a large proportion of the readers / listeners to this would have experience / interest / knowledge of 'The Troubles' and would be able to tell the difference between a Belfast man and a Dublin actor. To that end I'll offer to read Angela's Ashes and throw in plenty of 'Begorrahs' and 'Patiddle de te bodaydoes'.

I am sure the irony of having the life of a West Belfast Loyalist narrated by someone from Dublin is not lost on people with any knowledge of the last 100 years of Irish History. Personally I wouldn't give that a second thought if the narration was not like sitting in a car whilst a learner driver grinds the gearbox.

Good luck to Patrick Moy. I place the blame for this squarely on Audible. I think their approach to that is summed up by the line from the book..... "Sure you're all Micks anyway".

Excellent audiobook ruined (Where is Shank Hill?)

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Yes, I am a sucker for a gentle Irish accent but the lovely narration was just the icing on the cake of this beautiful book about life in Belfast during ‘The Troubles’. Social history stories like this are played out on different stages daily and when their honesty shines through like this story does, can only make a reader more compassionate to the issues faced by others.

A very special book.

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Loved this title. Focus lifts from the blood and guts of The Troubles to a tragic tale that does have its highs. Patrick Moys narration could make a shopping list sound interesting so hats off to him as well.

STORY OF MANY LAYERS

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