From a poor life and hardship, to a PhD, this is the story of one man's survival.
Raised in two very different worlds, one angry and violent, the other loving and nurturing, John must find a way to escape his violent father and find his own path to happiness.
This book gives a real look into the lives of the poor in the years following World War Two. As we delve into John’s past, we get a real insight into what life was like living as a poor family: the drunken rages of an alcoholic father, and the sad, hardworking mother resigned to her lot in life, who is determined to help her children avoid the same fate.
It tells of a young school boy who is so eager to learn, who loves to read yet is afraid. John strives to overcome adversity. He stands up against a father who does not want him to succeed, a father who did not acknowledge his birth, a father who has never shown love.
Survival takes the reader on a journey through a fascinating and hard era, where parents and religion dictate the lives people can lead. It shows that, with amazing strength and determination, a boy can defy the odds and forge his own path. Chasing a better life, one where he can live without anger or fear, he works hard and seizes every opportunity.
This is a book you will not want to put down. It opens your eyes up to a life most of us would not understand, and allows you to marvel at how lucky you were to have the childhood you did. John shows us that with strength and determination, we can overcome many obstacles to achieve our dreams and forge our own path in this world.
I recommend this to anyone wanting to read something real and raw. A truly inspiring book that I intend to read again and again.
Reviewed by Twitter: Rebecca Tscheresch
Twitter: @bek1357
Rating out of 10: 10
Distributed by: Amazon Australia
Released: July 2015
RRP: $24.05 paperback
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