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Louise's tragicomic memoir is set in Belfast.
When we meet her in 1969, it's the start of the Troubles and she's living with her seven younger brothers, a live-in teenage 'mother's helper', her chauvinistic 'fixer father' and her golf mad, deeply religious mother.
Louise explores with humour, the unique challenge of trying to experience a semi normal teenage life when the IRA (and her mother!) are doing their absolute best to scupper her plans.
The complicated nuances of identity in Northern Ireland are illustrated by Louise’s close relationship with her maternal grandmother, who once a proud Ulster Protestant is now happily ensconced in an IRA stronghold.
Louise dreams of emigrating to California (or anywhere with a bit of sunshine), where she’ll become a celebrity hairdresser, and no-one will ask what school she went to.
But things don’t quite work out like that, and Louise unexpectedly finds herself training to be a teacher. Then, just as things are looking particularly grim, along comes what seems like the perfect opportunity to escape.
‘ A dose of social history, served up with lots of laughs. I felt as if I was there with Louise the whole way through the book!’
Maggie H.
‘Look, I wanted to be an individual but my ma wouldn’t let me’ - one of my favourite quotes from Erin in Derry Girls. Suits this memoir perfectly. Loved it!!!
Sinead G
‘Derry Girls meets Adrian Mole – fantastic read!!!’
Sam W
‘I was a teenager in the 1970s and this book brought me right back to what it was like for a young woman in what was definitely a man’s world. Couldn’t put it down.’
Laura F
'It was great to read about the Belfast I left in the 1970s. Brought back lots of memories.'
Alice P