1963: A Slice of Bread and Jam

1963: A Slice of Bread and Jam by Tommy Rhattigan


ISBN
9781907324604
Published
Binding
Paperback
Dimensions
129 x 198 x 24mm

***THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER***

'Tommy's book is a stark but funny and heartwarming snapshot of one year growing up in crippling poverty in an Irish traveller family ruled by an abusive, alcoholic father and a drunken, neglectful mother.' Daily Mirror

Amid the derelict terraced houses of Manchester's Hulme, one boy experiences adventures, abuse, crippling poverty and an encounter with the Moors Murderers.

A raw and often funny snapshot of 7-year-old Tommy's brutal young life. He moves us through his daily struggle with poverty and neglect in 1960s Manchester like it's the most natural thing in the world.

Tommy lives at the heart of a large Irish family in derelict Hulme, ruled by an abusive and alcoholic father and a drunk, negligent mother. Alongside his siblings he begs or steals a few pennies to bring home to his parents to avoid a beating, while looking for something to eat and a little adventure along the way. With an unlikely sense of fun and a huge dose of good humour, Tommy introduces us to his foul-mouthed and chaotic family members. Deeply flawed they may be, but amongst the violence, grinding poverty and distinct lack of hygiene and morality lies a strong sense of loyalty and, above all, a spirit of survival.

During this single year before his family implodes and his world changes forever, young Tommy almost falls foul of the school welfare officers, the nuns, the police, and Myra Hindley and Ian Brady.

Tommy's story continues with Boy Number 26 - also available now.

Readers love 1963: A Slice of Bread and Jam:
'A beautiful book, humbling, sad and funny all at the same time. It will stay with me forever'
'A must-read'
'A wonderfully atmospheric and emotive story'
'So sad and still hilariously funny'
Real reader reviews from GoodReads.com
EOFY 2025 Book Frenzy
27.19
RRP: $31.99
15% off RRP


This product is unable to be ordered online. Please check in-store availability.
Instore Price: $31.99
Enter your Postcode or Suburb to view availability and delivery times.

Other Titles by Tommy Rhattigan

Boy Number 26
19.99
16.99
15% Off

You might also like

Uses for Obsession
34.99
29.74
15% Off
Question 7
35.00
29.75
15% Off
Drunkish
34.99
29.74
15% Off
For Life
34.99
29.74
15% Off
Society of the Snow
24.99
21.24
15% Off
Kitchen Sentimental
34.99
29.74
15% Off
All That Matters
34.99
29.74
15% Off
The Way of the Fight
24.99
21.24
15% Off

RRP refers to the Recommended Retail Price as set out by the original publisher at time of release.
The RRP set by overseas publishers may vary to those set by local publishers due to exchange rates and shipping costs.
Due to our competitive pricing, we may have not sold all products at their original RRP.