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All My Friends Are Invisible
- the inspirational childhood memoir
- Narrated by: Jonathan Joly
- Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins
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All My Friends Are Invisible
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Summary
A mesmeric, harrowing and uplifting childhood memoir that will open up much-needed conversations about identity and mental health.
It was an ordinary day in 2016. In Gatwick Airport, Jonathan and his wife, Anna, were having breakfast with their two little children while waiting for their flight to be called. And then it happened, a familiar sensation that Jonathan hadn't had for decades: an out-of-body experience that transported him to another place, the safe place he used to escape to in his mind when he was a boy.
Because growing up in conservative 1980s Dublin, where there was little tolerance for children who were 'different', Jonathan Joly was, indeed, a different sort of child: creative, expressive and - on the inside - a girl. The limitations of the people around him to understand his differences led to years of tyrannical bullying and abuse, forcing him to withdraw within himself to the point of clinical absence. His only chance for survival was the inner world he created for himself, rich with loving and supportive friends and playmates, that only he could see. Jonathan's invisible friends were his lifeline, and on that day at the airport, they came flooding back and have remained with him to this day.
This extraordinary childhood memoir is not only an important, thought-provoking and exhilarating listen, it gives hope and community for all those who have ever felt 'other' and proves how vital it is to provide children with the safe space to be themselves.
In All My Friends Are Invisible, Jonathan Joly, known widely as one of social media's most successful content creators, shares the secret he's kept hidden these many years. He shows the beautiful world he retreated to time and time again when life was unbearable for his 'skin machine'. Most importantly, he introduces us to his invisible friends, and in so doing you may be transported back to the friends you had as a child that no one else could see, and who may have saved you, too.
When you find yourself living in a world that doesn't understand you, and you lack any connection to anyone or any place, you are faced with few options. You can choose to leave this world and hope whatever lies beyond ends up being better, or you can create your own. It will require grit, hardship, pain and suffering, but the rewards will be great, and the journey will be greater, and the adventures will be endless. So, at a very young age and faced with these options, I chose the latter.
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What listeners say about All My Friends Are Invisible
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- priscilla Ewett
- 08-02-22
An insight into people
I too had invisible friends that helped me cope and I have a son similar to youJonathan.
Thank you for the insight
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2 people found this helpful
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- Ms M.
- 30-01-23
A wonderful book
A beautifully written book
An emotional insight into an emotionally troubled childhood.
Thank you for the courage to share
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- Kate Starling
- 04-02-22
Thank you
Thank you for sharing. I have learnt a lot, you are extremely brave and have nothing to be ashamed of! Be proud of how far you’ve come. This will help lots of people.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Beatrice
- 13-02-22
Touching narration of a childhood
Honest, raw and gentle, Jonathan's story has the potential to be an eye opener to all adults into their own childhood, experiences, feelings and trauma, and a valuable testimony to everyone having children as part of their lives. I will remember this story when I will hopefully become a parent.
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- Fiona
- 20-02-22
A window into the world of a 10 year old boy who didn’t fit in
Having been there the writer provides an insight into the world of a lost and vulnerable boy.
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- In_griid
- 05-02-22
Amazing book!
Could not stop listening... Very painful childhood but very inspiring to read/listen! I recommend!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Klemora
- 04-02-22
Emotional journey
I listened to book on my daily walks. Book filled with emotions. Even though I come from different background, I found things that I could relate to. Furthermore it really gave me the insight of people that suffer from depression from young age, as it is hard for me to understand, so hopefully it will just make it easier for me to relate to people like that, who are close to me. Book filled with emotions.
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- charlotte W.
- 15-02-22
Not the autobiography I expected! Even better!
This would be a lovely film or children's drama. Lovely narration as well Jonathan is a good story teller!
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- Susannah Bremner
- 04-02-22
this is an important book
His childhood clearly had such difficult times, it's great to listen to him explain his creative coping mechanism to handling trauma. it's always good to understand how someone has dealt with a hard situation, but it is so important to know how a child may cope with the circumstances around abuse.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Lucy
- 06-02-22
Amazing, emotional, touching
Wow, what an amazing book.
So appreciate your honesty Jonathan. I can’t even begin to imagine what you must have felt like reliving your childhood whilst writing this bibliography.
Thank you for letting Eduardo be Eduardo so he doesn’t have to hide, or feel lost and scared.
Jonathan Joly you got an A* from me.
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