Poor
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Poor
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Narrated by:
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Katriona O'Sullivan
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
'We love a rags-to-riches story, and we love to see someone triumph through sheer determination. But the story is rarely that simple. My story isn't, anyway.'
As the middle of five kids growing up in dire poverty, the odds were low on Katriona O'Sullivan making anything of her life. When she became a mother at 15 and ended up homeless, what followed were five years of barely coping.
This is the extraordinary story - moving, funny, brave, and sometimes startling - of how Katriona turned her life around. How the seeds of self-belief planted by teachers in childhood stayed with her. How she found mentors whose encouragement revived those seeds in adulthood.
Now an award-winning lecturer whose work challenges barriers to education, Poor stands as a stirring argument for the importance of looking out for our kids' futures. Of giving them hope, practical support and meaningful opportunities.
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Critic reviews
'A book of empowerment and hope.' (Patricia Scanlan)
'[A] story for the unheard and unseen that is fearless, funny and searingly honest.' (Adil Ray OBE)
'Katriona has taken her life and turned it into a call for action. She has given us all of her in her radically honest memoir and all who read it must meet that honesty with action. Poor is a book that can society, and we must all level up to change it with her.' (Lynn Ruane)
What listeners say about Poor
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Maria Bowes
- 28-06-23
Amazing woman
This is a really sad story with a mostly happy ending. Inspirational doesn't cover it really. What an amazing woman. Really enjoyed it and loved the fact that the parts when Katriona got emotional were left it. It's very raw and I shed a few tears myself. Anyone who goes through the childhood this lady has and comes out the other side of it with a PHD is a superhero in my eyes. Well done Katriona, you're some woman!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- julie mulhern
- 20-07-23
Fabulous
Fabulous , raw, devastating. A must for all especially those working in children’s services. Thank you Jane and Fee I would have never have listened to this without hearing your interview with Katriona .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- jodi lupton
- 11-06-23
Really good book
Well read, such a sad life story which ends with some very poignant words around the deficits in our education system. As a mental health professional it makes me squirm that I work in a system where children are left in such difficult states.
My upbringing wasn’t so far from this but was saved by a straight and sober parent but I still didn’t come through unaffected so massive kudos to katriona, trauma creates such brave and courageous people.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- TRACY
- 14-06-23
Amazing
So courageous! Really explains what some children’s lives are like -and how everything is such a struggle and shows how unequal the playing field is. Katriona -you are an inspiration-thank you for sharing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Katie Chapple
- 15-08-23
inspiring
loved it. I cried a lot. It's a tough listen at times, but overall it's spectacular.
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- Mr A Shoaib
- 18-09-23
heartbreaking and thought provoking
brilliantly written and narrated. Will you make you look at poverty and its effects in a whole new way
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lucy Smith
- 18-01-24
Heartfelt and must read for anyone sold the myth of meritocracy
This book is so heartfelt and honest. I would especially recommend it to anybody who has been afforded buoyancy by educationally grants and scholarships, but has never forgotten the places they have come from.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lalaiam
- 19-01-24
More than just a poor story
Absolutely brilliant. Not only conveys her upbringing with massive insight and self awareness, but also places her experience within the context of class and gender. A brilliant social commentary.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 19-01-24
I've got a feeling that this book is going to change my life x
I don't have the words to express how much I needed this book. It's so powerful and I can relate it to so much, thank you Katriona x
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- Wendy
- 05-12-23
Fantastic
Totally inspirational! I could listen to Katrina all day long , what an amazing lady x
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