My Family and Other Scousers by Dave Joy
Available on-line (The History Press and Amazon) and from all good book shops - £10.99. ISBN 9780750956406. For a signed copy, contact the author: davejoy-author@hotmail.com
This evocative memoir recalls the long, heady days of Liverpool in the summer of 1969, as seen through the eyes of eleven-year-old Deejay. Infused with a distinctive Scouse sense of humour, this book tells the story of how Deejay filled his summer holiday having adventures and misadventures with his mischievous gang of young friends and working at Wellington Dairy, the family-owned, horse-drawn milk business located in the Liverpool suburb of Garston.
Deejay intends to be the next in a long line of dairy farmers and sets about learning as much as he can about the family business. Amusing and entertaining, surprising and sometimes moving, Deejay's account vividly captures one boy's growing appreciation of the family history that preceded him and a growing understanding of his place in the world. Key to that understanding is the very special relationship that can exist between a boy and his dad.
Available on-line (The History Press and Amazon) and from all good book shops - £10.99. ISBN 9780750956406. For a signed copy, contact the author: davejoy-author@hotmail.com
This evocative memoir recalls the long, heady days of Liverpool in the summer of 1969, as seen through the eyes of eleven-year-old Deejay. Infused with a distinctive Scouse sense of humour, this book tells the story of how Deejay filled his summer holiday having adventures and misadventures with his mischievous gang of young friends and working at Wellington Dairy, the family-owned, horse-drawn milk business located in the Liverpool suburb of Garston.
Deejay intends to be the next in a long line of dairy farmers and sets about learning as much as he can about the family business. Amusing and entertaining, surprising and sometimes moving, Deejay's account vividly captures one boy's growing appreciation of the family history that preceded him and a growing understanding of his place in the world. Key to that understanding is the very special relationship that can exist between a boy and his dad.
Foreword by Rita Tushingham
My Family and Other Scousers has such charm and innocence. It tells of a young boy's summer of adventure, when children had the freedom to play outside and use their imagination, taking them on great daredevil adventures where nothing was impossible.
We see how important family is, and how much they support and love each other. Young Deejay spends precious time with his beloved father on his milk round and revels in his family's great affinity with their working horses.
We are taken on wonderful journeys through the district of Garston, described with such clarity and affection that, as a reader, you are transported there too. Being from Garston myself, it brought back many childhood memories for me.
My Family and Other Scousers is a pleasure to read and you will feel privileged to have spent the summer of 1969 with the Joy family.
Rita Tushingham, 2014.
My Family and Other Scousers has such charm and innocence. It tells of a young boy's summer of adventure, when children had the freedom to play outside and use their imagination, taking them on great daredevil adventures where nothing was impossible.
We see how important family is, and how much they support and love each other. Young Deejay spends precious time with his beloved father on his milk round and revels in his family's great affinity with their working horses.
We are taken on wonderful journeys through the district of Garston, described with such clarity and affection that, as a reader, you are transported there too. Being from Garston myself, it brought back many childhood memories for me.
My Family and Other Scousers is a pleasure to read and you will feel privileged to have spent the summer of 1969 with the Joy family.
Rita Tushingham, 2014.
5 STAR REVIEWS FROM AMAZON
FIVE STARS! — Bought for a gift - not given it yet!
A BRILLIANT BOOK! — I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it. I was brought up in Garston during the 1950s and early 1960s and so I was familiar with all the places mentioned in the book. I remember clearly, having our milk delivered by the man who was affectionately referred to by all the locals as 'old' Mr Joy together with his brother, George, and 'young' Eric, the author’s father. Also Danny, the horse who knew the round and where and when to stop without the need to be told.
A NOSTALGIC LOOK BACK . . . This book was recommended to me by a fellow Scouser and old school friend I found on Facebook! Neither of us still live in God's Own City, but both retain a strong affection for it. Both of us grew up and went to infant and junior schools in Garston, the neighbourhood Dave writes about so poignantly and humorously, and as I read I was constantly reminded, and could picture, the places he was writing about. I followed him down the roads, through the alleys, and yes, even into the dairy, which I remember well. Well written, this book is a must for Scousers, dwellers and exiles alike. And for those of you not fortunate enough to meet these criteria, buy it anyway, as a nostalgic look back at a recently by-gone time.
BLOWN AWAY! — What a read that was! I was truly blown away by this book. The author's recollections were brought to life with a mixture of wit and respect for family life. He gives a genuine, warm and nostalgic insight into his upbringing and in particular the summer of 69. It took me back to my days growing up in 1960's Liverpool before I was 'evacuated'. Just to quote one bit I remembered from the time was the description of the street smelling of a mixture of fish and chips and burning coal. Although the times were 'a changin' he has done a great job in capturing that special period in his life for all to read. And what an ending! Great book Dave Joy. I look forward to your next.
TRULY EXCELLENT! — this book is written in such a descriptive way that we are there with him, catching our breath after cycling so fast, or hearing the sound of Danny's hooves on the road. An amazing read which had me completely immersed.
A MUST READ BOOK! — If you grew up in the sixties when kids made their own fun, this book is for you. Whichever side of the Atlantic you were on in that decade you will relate to this feel good and humorous story. Dave Joy brings the daily lives of himself, his family and friends to life in great style. A thoroughly good read.
A LITTLE GEM OF A BOOK! – I picked up this book due to a recommendation from a friend and thoroughly enjoyed it. The descriptions about school and family stirred up recollections of my own childhood; even though my childhood took place decades later, the descriptions still ring true. The mix of experiences this 11 year old boy went through provide many moments filled with innocent joy but also a few packed with pathos. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice easy read (at times it was difficult to put down) or someone looking to lose themselves in nostalgia. Suitable for a wide variety of age groups.
GREAT READ! — Really enjoyed this book, written from 11yr old viewpoint but in no way childish. In fact quite mature and poignant at times. Very familiar with this area of Liverpool, some of the characters and the school, which only enhanced my enjoyment — but not essential to enjoyment. Inclusion of repeated reference to his childhood Bible was endearing and will make many look back over the year's wistfully.
GREAT STORY! — It helps to fully appreciate the book if you have some local knowledge, but a lovely read, full of humour.
BRILLIANT! — Brilliant read. Very descriptive and funny.
THANK YOU! — A lovely story of a special time and place with lots of detail. A story that makes you wish you could re-live your own childhood only to appreciate it more. Everyone in Liverpool or from Liverpool should read it. Thank you Dave Joy.