I enjoyed this book immensely. Moving but funny, very well written. Looking forward to his next book.

Not having read books for pleasure for some years I must say that I loved this book. Having just read three of George Orwell's books [1984, Animal Farm & A Clergyman's Daughter] in very quick succession, I found I could not put this book down either. I chose it in the first place because I like Alan Johnson’s public persona and was interested to learn about his life in London during the 50’s & 60’s. What I got was a colourful and detailed picture of his life and that of his family during that time. It was full of very moving and captivating stories and I did not want the book to end. For me, who has now just rediscovered books for pleasure, I read ‘This Boy’ in just seven days! I have surprised myself at the speed I did so but it is testament to a quality book. We must all thank Alan Johnson for sharing his memoirs with us. If you have not read it, then what are you waiting for? It is excellent.

I will admit that I don't read a lot of non-fiction, I am a fiction girl. But I did really enjoy this book set in a slum area of London in the 50' s and 60's. It gives a great picture of what life was like in London after the second world war. It tells the great hardships Alan his mum and sister Linda went through. It also tells how his sister Linda fought to keep them together after their mum's death. A great read.