Gypsy Boy on the Run: My Escape from a Life Among the Romany Gypsies

This book affected my profoundly. I found myself entwined in the authors struggle to separate from a profound family disconnect due to his homosexuality, exacerbated by the strict cultural norms of the Gypsies. As he struggles to establish himself as a person, find love and acceptance,and develop his own path in life he endures extreme poverty, loneliness and many unsavory and untrustworthy characters. He becomes more able to trust his own experiences and beliefs and build a better life. Each experience proves a stepping stone to build better choices and the ability to make better decisions for the future. As time goes along he finds the courage to return to his family and challenge old situations, and even endanger himself to be able to protect other family members, though not being appreciated for it. Mikey Walsh (a pseudonym)leaves us as an amazing person, who is poised for many better things to come. He certainly deserves them!

After reading Mikey Walsh's first book, I waited and waited until this one came out and bought it right away. I just couldn't have it in my hands fast enough.Basically, the first 50 or so pages are a recap of his first book. Which is great for people who haven't read the first book. This is a VERY necessary recap, as it gives a background for the rest of the story. The remainder of the book is a totally new account of his life, picking up where "Gypsy Boy" left off. It goes through the time he spent hiding from his father with his first lover, and it just sounds like a nightmare. And then coming into his own, and finding out who he really is, without the gypsy community, without his fear of his father, without being labeled and constantly studied.I love this story because it is truly a unique one. Not only are gypsies and their stories becoming more popular in the media today, they are also rather interesting because they are such a secretive culture. As the author describes, because they are not accepting of gays in any form, the story that unfolds in this book is a truly unique one. It's rare to come across a gypsy's story, because they find it shameful to speak of their own culture, and even more rare to find a GAY gypsy's story. To anyone who wants to read this because of their interest in the culture: it is not as informative of his last book. This book is about the time period in which he has already left that part of his life behind.He's run from his culture, but also longs for it, and feels torn at needing to be an openly gay man, but needing love and acceptance from his people. What I really love about the story is the fact that he's always honest, both in his writing and in his life, and his honesty rarely betrays him. In fact, it's opened so many doors and uncovered opportunities he would have never had otherwise. Mikey Walsh has a gift for writing (and I suppose in person) where he can really get you to feel as if you know him personally, in an almost immediate way. He allows the reader into almost every heartbreak, every scar, every tear, and it makes you feel as if you are there with him.I will read all of Mikey Walsh's books because he is a truly talented writer, with a real talent for honestly writing from his heart.

I bought this book hoping to learn more about the life of "Mikey" and how things turned out for him since the first book had little information about his new life and his new relationship.Mikey's journey takes him through several more short-term and drama-filled relationships, horrid living arrangements and harrowing experiences at the hands of other gypsies, criminals, his father and more. Just when I thought he'd finally landed in a good spot during the story, it seems something bad was always around the corner ready to ruin his life again. My personal feeling at first was that there was far too much alcohol involved in his life during that turbulent phase, but looking back at my own life in my younger years, I realized that we thought nothing of drinking that much. But so many missteps could have been avoided had his head been clearer and his poor heart not so wounded. I was profoundly disappointed to learn that his final relationship failed and (at the books writing) he was alone. That said, however, it seems he's a bit more stable and his growing wisdom may yet land him an ideal mate.The book itself is an interesting look at a boy turning into a man and his education about life and his schooling in university while trying to bridge the gap between the gypsy and non-gypsy worlds. Much like his first book, this one is written with a fast pace and nice amount of detail. I read it in two days and enjoyed the ride, even though the last chapter was a bit sad and made me feel sorry for the writer. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has read his first one and to those interested in breaking away from a life they find intolerable. As well, anyone who has done the same may find this book as touching as I have. Thanks for the rest of the story, Mikey, and good luck to you!

I loved this book and the previous one 'Gypsy Boy', by the same author.My heart went out to this vulnerable young man doing his best to get on in our 'Gorgia' world.This book elaborates on the period of Mikey's life after he left his family and the tumultuous Gypsy life he knew.He so bravely entered the work force, studied, learnt to live with his sexuality and made peace with his family.An emotional and honest read.

I loved the first book (Gypsy Boy).This sequel is awful. The author's life-long love of Disney films and musicals has resulted in him writing his life story as if he is in a Disney movie. How many times in this book does he rush to a bedside to find a loved one who is about to die or has just died minutes before? Endless scenes of forgiveness, tears, protestations of undying love. It just does not ring true.If the author's life story, as told in the first book, is true then the author has every reason to be proud of all he has achieved. However, Gypsy Boy on the Run should not be among those proud achievements.Do yourself a favour: read the first book and take careful note of the final chapters where the author writes about his life after leaving his family. It will remove any need to read this sequel.

What a wonderful book - as someone born the year before the author it was hard to read about the gratuitous, non-sensical violence of the time. It followed on from the first book seamlessly and fully answered the “what happened next” questions left at the conclusion of the first book. I could barely put the book down. It’s sad to see the effects of his upbringing (related to his culture) and his homosexuality affecting his future/lonely adult life so much. But we are the products of our environment and his was clearly a bleak and brutal one - makes me somewhat grateful for my own - growing up gay on a farm and having to leave to “be myself”. Reportedly (announced in 2017) it is going to be made into a film - I do hope they do the books justice.

Bought this for my cousin....she had mentioned reading the first book - yes Lock Down....but no she was carrying on working - But she booked a week off for her birthday....and couldn't go anywhere !!!so she was really happy she loved the first she loved this one - best present when someone really likes it and can pass it on

Having read the first book "Gypsy Boy" on the coach going to London, I settled down to read this on the one heading back to London. Like many a reader before me, I really wanted to know more about Mikey's life once he had got away from his Gypsy life.Again this is a compelling book which was really difficult to put down. Apart from the first chapter which is a quick re-cap for those who may not have read the previous book, this follows Mikey from the day he left until virtually the present day. I'm afraid to say it is not a story of happy endings. There are high points, and Mikey does meet some exceptionally great people but he also gets into awful situations, such as 'queer bashing' which are horrendous to read about. Especially when you consider that these events happened fairly recently not back in the 1950's or some other time where such things were regular occurrences and even encouraged by society.Through it all, two major things stood out for me; Mikey's inner strength and ability to face anything, and the fact that at the end of the day, he was proud not only to be gay but also a Gypsy despite everything that had happened.The reconciliation with his family had me once more reaching for the hanky to dry my eyes and the downfall of the Pedophile uncle almost had me jumping out of my seat for joy.is there a happy ending this time? Well, I can't really say. Mikey talks about the response to his first book and the effects of that on him and his loved ones and I found myself experiencing the emotions with him in an empathetic way that took me by surprise.To summarise, once again Mikey has produced an extremely readable, if uncomfortable at times, book that left me emotionally drained and praying for him to have a long and happy life.

I liked this book, but didn't love it like I did "Gypsy Boy". It's familiar and great to learn a bit more about the amazing Mikey Walsh, but for me there was too much repetition from the first book. It takes the first 4 or 5 chapters before we get into new territory. The voice is the same - his writing honest and heartfelt, his spirit unbreakable despite the numerous setbacks. Little wonder he is so emotionally scared and craving love from anyone who can give it. This book stirs so many emotions - I laughed, cried, felt angry and scared, but overall felt proud of Mikey. What an incredible, flawed individual trying to make the most of his new life constantly haunted by the past, always grappling with his identity. This book clashes Romany gypsy life with modern London living, takes us from teenage to turning thirty through Manchester, Leeds and the capital, through bar work and drama school and through love, family and friendship. Mikey lives life in technicolor and his ability to forgive is an absolute parable. I just hope one day he finds peace away from his demons and happiness in a lasting relationship.