Gypsy Boy.

I'm currently reading best-selling memoir, Gypsy Boy, by Mikey Walsh. It came out in 2008 and I've had it for a while but I am determined to finish it shortly as it is currently being made into a film.
Walsh had very little schooling and essentially taught himself how to read and write, he is one of the first Romany Gypsies to ever write a book. It has received overwhelming support and Stephen Fry tweeted that: 'It was a revelation. Moving, terrifying, funny and brilliant. I shall never forget it - an amazing achievement.”

I have always been intrigued by Gypsy culture; I remember, as a small girl, my eyes would be glued to the Romany Gypsies selling roses in the Naples cemetery. They had dark skin, long hair, flowing skirts and lot of gold jewellery that would jingle when they walked, to me they were beautiful; real life Esmereldas. But my mother would never let my sister and I get too close and whenever they moved in around Bedford people would instantly become infuriated.

The older I got the more I learnt about the life of Gypsies and due to the recent publicity on their culture (on Channel 4's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding) the 'Gorgia' world is allowed to delve into the world of the somewhat secretive and misunderstood community.
Many people who I have spoken to about this think that I am being naïve, but I do feel a lot of sympathy for the Gypsy community because their culture is being threatened with extinction, due to travel and settlement laws, and marriage outside of the community.
Mikey Walsh's recently released Gypsy Boy on the Run follows his first steps into the Gorgia world and away from his community, a decision which is- more often than not- irrevocable.

I'm really enjoying the novel so far and will soon be purchasing the sequel. Oh! And I'm following Mikey on Twitter now ;)