I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. My father was born not far from where and not long after when this book was set, so I was really interested to see more of that world. But I was dubious, worried that this was going to be yet another child abuse story. Thankfully, this memoir is so much more than that. It's a story of the bond between a mother and son above all else, a story which warmed me and broke me in equal measures. It's also a funny, nostalgic and honest snapshot of a childhood in the Maryhill area of Glasgow in the 1950's which had me turning the pages, running through the closes with Robert and his friends and breaking my heart for his strong and funny mother. Lovely wee book. ( )