"A poignant memoir that bears comparison to the bestselling Running With Scissors—but better written and far darker."--Kirkus Reviews
"This is a wonderfully readable tale of love, abuse, and eventual escape--all lived in the heart of an English Gypsy family. The father is one of the most frightening figures I've encountered in years."--Edmund White, author of A Boy’s Own Story
"Reading Gypsy Boy, I felt invited into a secret society. I've always found Gypsies mysterious and even slightly dangerous, and Mikey Walsh does an excellent job describing the cloistered lifestyle and fascinating traditions of the Romany people. Moreover, Mikey's personal story of being a misfit among misfits is both compelling and universal. I cheered for him every step of the way."--Julia Scheeres, author of Jesus Land
“A revelation. Moving, terrifying, funny and brilliant. I shall never forget it—an amazing achievement.”--Stephen Fry
“Touching, insightful, funny, and incredibly shocking.”--Heat magazine (UK)
“Best memoir since Running with Scissors.”--Attitude
“Gypsy Boy sits somewhere between the grittiness of Irvine Welsh and the charming warmth of Frank
McCourt.”--Dermot O’Leary, television and radio presenter, The X Factor
"Mikey Walsh provides an unsentimental and compelling look at the louche and brutal culture of Romany Gypsies in the U.K. ... Walsh analyzes the grotesqueries of Gypsy life in painful detail--garish trailers, stifling family ties, crime and crudeness, and the constricted options for women who are considered old maids at 21. Yet despite his gruesome experiences, he also praises the fierce loyalty and cultural continuity that have allowed Gypsies to maintain their dignity in the face of hatred for centuries."--Publishers Weekly
"A gripping and heartfelt page-turner."--Booklist (starred review)
"From family violence to the horrors of cockfighting, from stealing bikes from the local sports center to squeezing juice out of slugs as a remedy for warts, Mikey makes the gaudy world of Romany Gypsies in the U.K. erupt into life, interspersing these scenes with moments of tenderness and goofy comedy."--Shelf Awareness
"Fantastic."--Bookpage
