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The Outside Boy

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The Outside Boy

By: Jeanine Cummins
Narrated by: Alan Devally
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About this listen

Ireland, 1959. Young Christopher Hurley is a tinker, a Pavee gypsy, who roams with his father and extended family from town to town, carrying all their worldly possessions in their wagons. Christy carries with him a burden of guilt as well: his mother's death in childbirth.

The wandering life is the only one Christy has ever known, but when his grandfather dies, everything changes. His father decides to settle briefly, in a town, where Christy and his cousin can receive proper schooling. But still, always, they are treated as outsiders.

As Christy struggles with his new classmates, he starts to question who he is and where he belongs. But then the discovery of an old newspaper photograph, and a long-buried secret, changes his life for ever.

©2010 Jeanine Cummins (P)2020 Macmillan Audio Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Feel-Good Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

"A full-throated song of praise. I loved it." (Sherman Alexie)
All stars
Most relevant
I found this fascinating - such an insight into the lives of those born on the move - beautiful story and exceptional narrator

Enlightening

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Will be go back to this book again and again, no doubt. So beautifully read by Alan Devally.

Second time listening

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narrater managed to speak so clearly yet with a thick accent so you never forgot who's story this was. The writing was sweet and innocent. I loved it all.

Fabulous Narrater sang this book to life

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This book was so easy to listen to whilst evoking every emotion possible! Sadness, humour, anger and just pure joy. Christy is a beautiful character with so many facets. I was so sad when I finished this. Kudos to the narrator, he was 100% on point.

Love, love, loved this book!

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The novel and narration is read with a big heart, humility, and humour. A delight to listen right to the end.

Enchanting

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Loved this just as much as American Dirt. A beautiful story and very well narrated. Highly recommend!

A beautiful story

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And another visually stunning story by Jeanine Cummins. Not quite up there with American Dirt, but I loved it just the same. A beautiful book about a 'motherless' boy who searches for answers about his life which has been shrouded in secrets for 12 years. Imaginative, creative storytelling, and brilliant narration by Alan Devally. I always love a story set in Ireland, and this one is in the 1940s and 50s about the lives and struggles of 'gypsies' / travellers. A great read that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Another New Classic

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The point of view of a traveller child dealing with life in the non- traveller world kept my interest throughout. I enjoyed this book.

Interesting

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Loved the narrator’s delivery, an insightful look at life in Ireland many years ago and a very moving story, couldn’t stop listening and felt every emotion
as if it was real, thank you for another great story Jeanine

Very moving read

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Just beautiful. I loved the boy, the story-telling, the glorious tapestry of detail woven in with skill. And the narration, which was just the perfect lilting song.

Gorgeous Irish yarn

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