The Boy in the Boat

by Mr. Brian O'Raleigh

Overview

A dramatic and engrossing memoir that reads more like fiction than fact. A compulsive page turner that will have you burning the midnight oil. Brian O'Raleigh never knew why his family fled Ireland but he learned early to escape his father's demonic rages by slipping away from the Alexandra Private Hotel to the beach and the Kathleen R, the fishing boat that was to become his refuge and his sanctuary. At the age of 18, in trouble with the law himself, Brian left England for Australia seeking to overcome a growing dependency on alcohol and the damage it was wreaking on the lives of himself and also those he loved. In a style that is both raw and compelling, The Boy in the Boat tells the riveting story of Brian's childhood, his triumph over alcoholism, his inspirational journey towards recovery, and eventually to the profound revelation that he was molded and shaped during his childhood years for the meaning and purpose of his life. This is a truly engrossing book. Read what the leading critics said about this story.
The Australian Irish Echo: "O'Raleigh is a convincing writer and this book deserves ranking with 'Angela's Ashes'. He mixes dialog, narrative and reflection in a story that is always engrossing, often scary and sometimes funny."
Australian Woman's Day. "From raw and compelling prose, a moving portrait emerges of Brian. From cowed child to fierce rebel and finally to an adult battling his own inner demons. This is a finely crafted memoir".
Australian New Idea: "Brian is no angel. He's an infuriating drunk and an irresponsible brute; which is why this story of ultimate redemption is so powerful."
Amazon 5 Star Reviews.
It's About Courage....
By Tina Beana January 28, 2015
"It takes a special kind of courage to tell the world about all the mistakes you've made, about years of emotional and physical abuse by a parent, decades of alcoholism, pulling no punches, but that's exactly what Brian O'Raleigh has done in this memoir. Yes, it was a difficult book to read on many levels--it's not easy for a reader to watch a character sink further and further into an addiction, to see them lose everything at one point. But this man succeeded in turning his life around! He tells his story to bring hope to so many who have been, or are still, in the same "boat". God bless him for all he's been through, and for all the truths for others that have come from his journey. And for those reviewers who have given this book 2 stars, stick to comic books, or romance novels...you're clearly too immature to be reading memoirs."
Amazon 5 Star Review.
"Amazing! I have shared with friends who also enjoyed the book"
By Robyn Sherd McVeyon December. 2014
"I wrote to Author and he responded generously. In all a very moving experience for me personally"
Amazon 5 Star Review.
"Excellent read!!"
By Kent Erickson March. 2014
"Highly recommend this book. Superbly written and what a story! I read it on my Kindle then ordered the hardcover version to keep around on my bookshelf.... top shelf!"
Amazon 5 Star Review.
"Excellent",
By Amazon Customer on July 22, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
"Excellent. Recommend it to everyone.
Amazon 5 Star Review
By Dave Meredith on December 21, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
It's powerful; a real tear jerker too.
Amazon 5 Star Review
By Joan Olson on May 7, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Wonderful book! 3 stories in one, all excellent.
Amazon Five Star Review
By Richard Ascher on April 1, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
"Enjoyed a lot."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781480058903
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	10/09/2013
Pages:	370
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.77(d)

About the Author

Brian O'Raleigh was born into a chaotic Irish family in 1941 in the English seaside resort town of Blackpool. He attended St Joseph's College, until the age of 14 when he was expelled after a fight with a Christian brother. At the age of 18, accused of being involved in an IRA bomb threat on Blackpool Tower, he emigrated to Australia, just a few steps ahead of English justice. Arriving in Sydney he worked at a dozen different occupations, salesman, construction worker, bulldozer operator, factory worker, steel fixer and trade union official. After his first wife left him in 1967 - in a desperate attempt to do something decent with his life - he volunteered for the 6-Day-War in Israel. There he met his second wife, Carol, and for a while, stopped drinking. But on returning to London a year later, he became involved in the notoriously hedonistic life of 'The Swinging Sixties'. Excessive drinking, night clubs, parties, crime and the associated violence. Then, after organizing a gang raid on a London police station, he was forced to flee England once again, and, with police alerts at all airports in the UK, he took a small, French fishing boat to Calais. Carol met him there and together they journeyed through France, Germany, Austria, Belgrade, Bulgaria, Turkey, crossing the Bosphorus at Istanbul, before traveling through Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, through the Khyber Pass to Pakistan, India and eventually, Australia.
A year later, Brian began building a deep sea sailing boat hoping that this would set him free from the alcoholism he had despised in his father; but, after 4 years of failure and frustration, he suffered a major collapse and became suicidal. This proved to be the catalyst that began a lasting recovery.
Brian began writing in 2005. His latest book: 'The Storyteller of Inis Mór' was reviewed by Frank O'Shea, literary critic for The Australian Irish Echo, who said: "O'Raleigh's new work: The Storyteller of Inis Mor, reminds one of the great Irish writers such as Sean O'Faolain and Benedict Kiely".