Book Club: Gypsy Boy
Mikey Walsh shares his memories of a Romany childhood.
Published in 2010, Gypsy was the first book from Mikey Walsh.
The book is a memoir of Mikey's childhood - growing up within a Romany community.
What's it about?
Born into a Romany family renowned for fighting, Mikey is a disappointment to his father who sees him as soft and weak.
The book takes us through the ups and downs of Mikey's childhood - attempts to go to school, adventures with his sister and their friends, life on the road, the nuances of Romany culture, and the strength of family bonds that bind the community together.
This is also a story of abuse. Mikey suffers enormously at the hands of both his father and his uncle.
As he begins to navigate his sexuality, Mikey realises that he needs to leave the world of the Romany if he is to survive - determined to build a new life for himself in the outside world.
What themes does the novel explore?
The format of this book is a relatively straightforward autobiography. Walsh sets out his story more or less in chronological order as events unfold.
The Romany culture relies primarily on verbal storytelling - there's little value placed in schooling, reading, or writing. So this book provides a rare glimpse into a world that is closed to anyone outside the Romany community.
Masculinity is a key theme explored in this narrative. Not only do we see Mikey trying to navigate his identity - and his perceived inability to live up to the Romany expectations of what it means to be a man, but we also see the impact of toxic masculinity and how it imprisons men such as Mikey's father, uncle, and the other men featured in the story.
Family is also front and centre of this story. Mikey's relationship with his family is complicated - while he is subjected to relentless abuse, he still feels a deep connection with them and a loyalty to them and the community to which they belong.
Queer identity is another important theme, although it's often touched on in a fairly opaque manner. Even in the coda where we see "present day" Mikey and experience is wedding, we don't get a lot of depth in how Mikey navigated his sexuality and how his sexuality has shaped his perspective.
Why is this an important novel for gay men?
Gypsy Boy gives us the story of a queer experience that is outside the frame of reference for most of us.
It is a story of resilience, of finding yourself against insurmountable odds.
While the detail of the abuse suffered by Mikey is confronting, the story is written in a very readable style that makes this a very accessible narrative.
Naked Men Talking: Book Club
What if we took our clothes off and talked about books?
Naked Men Talking: Events
Book Club is part of the series of events that are presented by Naked Men Talking.
