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Slum Boy

A Portrait

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Slum Boy

By: Juano Diaz
Narrated by: Juano Diaz
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About this listen

'ONE OF THE MOST MOVING ACCOUNTS OF NON-FICTION EVER WRITTEN' GUARDIAN

'If you like Shuggie Bain, then Slum Boy is for you' LEMN SISSAY
'Beautifully told. I hope it finds a million readers' ANDREW O'HAGAN

John MacDonald is a four-year-old boy growing up in the slums of Glasgow.

John's mother is an addict, who leaves him starving in their flat for days at a time.

When a neighbour reports her, John is wrenched away from his family and placed into the care system. There, he has experiences he's too young to understand which his eventual adoptive parents silence as he grows into a gay man within a strict Romani community.

But John dreams of being reunited with his mother and will stop at nothing to find her.

'Compulsively readable' PATRICK GALE
'Remarkable and moving tale' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

Juano Diaz was awarded the Pride Awards 2024 for LGBTQ+ Heroes Changing the World.©2024 Juano Diaz (P)2024 Orion Publishing Group Limited
Artists, Architects & Photographers Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Inspiring Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

A heart-breaking, inspiring read (Alan Cumming, author of Not my Father's Son)
The writing is beautiful (Scooter LaForge)
An extraordinary survival story (Sophie Fiennes, creator of Grace Jones)
A reminder that beautiful things grow and flourish (Christie Watson, author of The Language of Kindness)
A heart-rending story that has you constantly holding back tears (Pam Hogg)
I laughed and cried. It's a masterpiece (Joey Arias)

What listeners say about Slum Boy

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What a life

Such a beautiful, honest and open story of your life. I listened to the whole book in one day. I’m so glad the ending was positive and you were able to move forward. It gives me hope for my own situation

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Absolutely Amazing Couldn’t Put it down

Such a true heartfelt book! I couldn’t put it down. Brilliantly written and read gutted it finished

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Heart breaking, vivid and truly inspirational

Such a well written book! The narrator describes horrific situations with vivid clarity and delivers his story with graphic detail and raw emotion combined with a touch of humour, it makes the book difficult to put down. An inspiring story of poverty, neglect, abuse and survival. Highly recommend.

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all of it

this young boy was my daughters friend and I was friendly with his adoptive parents such a lovely family all round

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Amazing

This book is probably one of the best books I’ve ever listened to. The story is amazing and heartfelt, the audio version also brings it to life with the real Scottish accent. I would recommend this book to anyone. It really is fantastic.

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For fans of Shuggie Bain.

This is a beautiful, yet harrowing tale about a young boy’s search for belonging. Brought to life through the voice of the author, Young John/ Juano will stay with you long after listening to his story.

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Beautifully read by the author

At first I struggled to understand the accent, English is not my mother tongue and the Glasgow accent was difficult to decode But it also made me to listen more and now I came to the end of this beautiful book I miss the author calm pace, the different voices portraying some of the characters. I cried, I smiled, my heart exploded around chapter 8 and 9....I loved reading it!

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beautifully written and narrated

this is a harrowing story that had me gripped the whole way through. the fact that it is a biography makes it even more compelling. it is beautifully written, taking you into John's world. I finished this book getting home, privileged and grateful for my childhood and love. That John has achieved what he has and the success he has is nothing short of amazing, and a true example of resilience. thank you.

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So moving

The harsh realities of a fractured childhood portrayed with humility and tenderness by the author, one which will play on my mind long after it’s over.

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Moving and rewarding.

Beautifully read by the author. Moving, reflective and ultimate illustration of how life experiences can shape but not always define your path.

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