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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

 'A heart-breaking, inspiring read' ALAN CUMMING
'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
John MacDonald is a four-year-old boy growing up in the slums of Glasgow. His mother is an addict who leaves him starving in their flat for days at a time.

When a neighbour files a report, John is wrenched away from her and dropped into the care system. There, he has experiences he's too young to understand which his Romani adoptive parents silence as he grows into a gay man.

But John dreams of being reunited with his mother and will stop at nothing to find her. Slum Boy is about how, against all odds, John found a way to his mother and true identity: JUANO DIAZ.

'Remarkable' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

In 2024, Juano Diaz was awarded the Pride Award for LGBTQ+ Heroes Changing the World.
'Beautiful. I hope it finds a million readers' ANDREW O'HAGAN©2024 Juano Diaz (P)2024 Orion Publishing Group Limited Abuse Art & Literature Artists, Architects & Photographers Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional relationship Parenting & Families Poverty & Homelessness Relationships Social Sciences Inspiring Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

The best book we have ever read (Gilbert & George)
This is a heart-breaking story, beautifully told (Andrew O'Hagan, author of Caledonian Road)
Fans of Douglas Stuart and Damian Barr will pounce on this startling debut. Compulsively readable, it's Dickensian in its rich cast of Glaswegian characters (Patrick Gale, author of Mother's Boy)
An extraordinary survival story (Sophie Fiennes, creator of Grace Jones)
I laughed and cried. A masterpiece (Joey Arias)
A reminder that beautiful things grow and flourish (Christie Watson, author of The Language of Kindness)
All stars
Most relevant  
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

What a life

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

Absolutely Amazing Couldn’t Put it down

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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.

Amazing

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

all of it

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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!

Beautifully read by the author

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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.

For fans of Shuggie Bain.

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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.

beautifully written and narrated

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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.

So moving

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

Moving and rewarding.

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I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend. Juano is such an inspirational man and I am sure his story will help so many.

Raw, heartbreaking but hopeful

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