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The Outside Boy

By: Jeanine Cummins
Narrated by: Alan Devally
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Summary

Ireland, 1959. Young Christopher Hurley is a tinker, a Pavee gypsy, who roams with his father and extended family from town to town, carrying all their worldly possessions in their wagons. Christy carries with him a burden of guilt as well: his mother's death in childbirth.

The wandering life is the only one Christy has ever known, but when his grandfather dies, everything changes. His father decides to settle briefly, in a town, where Christy and his cousin can receive proper schooling. But still, always, they are treated as outsiders.

As Christy struggles with his new classmates, he starts to question who he is and where he belongs. But then the discovery of an old newspaper photograph, and a long-buried secret, changes his life for ever.

©2010 Jeanine Cummins (P)2020 Macmillan Audio
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Critic reviews

"A full-throated song of praise. I loved it." (Sherman Alexie)

What listeners say about The Outside Boy

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Funny insightful sad

Great listen, gives a great insight into travelling peoples mentality and settled people’s misconceptions of them

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excellent story

Narrator is superb and his voice carries this enchanting story , love this book and could wait for the next chapter , wonderful

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Emotive and compelling read

I loved this story and the characters in it. Cummins paints such a vivid picture of setting, time and emotions so beautifully. The narrator was perfect also, would definitely recommend!

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Tinker Tale

The story was captivating and the narration so phenomenal that you can’t help to loose yourself within.

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excellent 👌

A wonderful insight to the world of the travelling community.
Loved everything about this story, made me shed a tear more than once.

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Compelling and Exceptional

One of the best listens for me in the years of audible. Beautifully written, read perfectly and full of insightful details. Not one word wasted.

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Wonderful book

Really really enjoyed this book. Beautifully written. Love the narration. Was sad when it ended.

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poignant

a brilliantly funny and heart-warming story. really recommend. This is read beautifully, you'll fall in love with so many characters! some with four legs.

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Brilliant

What a moving story! So well written in beautiful, lyrical language. There is gentle humour and a wonderful story but I can't remember a book which moved me to tears as much as this one.

This is the first time I've encountered this author but I will be looking out more.

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Outstanding.

I can’t put into words just how much I enjoyed this book. It’s stayed with me , made a massive impact on me . The narration was beyond superb , with the correct depth of emotion and intonation. This yarn must be made into a film …. Please ….

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