Alan Johnson’s This Boy is the remarkable story of a woman struggling to raise her family in the slums of 1950s Notting Hill Gate; her daughter who fought to rescue her from illness and debt and her son, who went on to hold one of the highest political offices in the land…
Alan's childhood was not so much difficult as unusual, particularly for a man who was destined to become Home Secretary. Not in respect of the poverty, which was shared with many of those living in the slums of post-war Britain, but in its transition from two-parent family to single mother and then to no parents at all...
This is essentially the story of two incredible women: Alan’s mother, Lily, who battled against poor health, poverty, domestic violence and loneliness to try to ensure a better life for her children; and his sister, Linda, who had to assume an enormous amount of responsibility at a very young age and who fought to keep the family together and out of care when she herself was still only a child.
Played out against the background of a vanishing community living in condemned housing, the story moves from post-war austerity in pre-gentrified Notting Hill, through the race riots, school on the Kings Road, Chelsea in the Swinging 60s, to the rock-and-roll years, making a record in Denmark Street and becoming a husband and father whilst still in his teens.
Reviews (click to read full review)
“Beautifully, beautifully written... his style is utterly simple, with a wit so understated that every reader will believe that he or she alone got it" - John Rentoul - Independent on Sunday
"No ordinary politician's memoir ... wonderful." - John Grimond - The Spectator
About the Author
Alan Johnson was born in May 1950. He is a British Labour Party politician who served as Home Secretary from June 2009 to May 2010. Before that, he filled a wide variety of cabinet positions in both the Blair and Brown governments, including Health Secretary and Education Secretary.
Until 20 January 2011 he was Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. Alan Johnson has been the Member of Parliament for Hull West and Hessle since 1997.
Alan Johnson’s event is on Saturday 2 November at 7.30PM in the Festival Marquee
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