This is a charming memoir which covers many subjects. From the Catholic Church’s power over society, corporal punishment in schools; poverty and the general innocence of children at the time.
However, it avoids falling into the category of yet another biography set in Old Dublin. The book is told from the unique perspective of a boy who wants to be an actor.
Such a decision challenges everything he is taught including the course set out for his solid job.
The result is a delightful and entertaining autobiography by one of Ireland’s great actors.