This is a novel based on a true story and the author has an interesting story of his own, as you can see by clicking the link at the bottom.
Cameron has left home in Manchester aged 20, after a difficult childhood with a schizophrenic mother and alcoholic father. He decides to live on the streets and first of all, just moves into the city, meeting Tony and a gorgeous dog called Tatum.
Later, he decides to escape England and travels from to France, Italy, through Europe and beyond. He decides to spend only £1 a day on food as money is running out. On his travels, he meets Jacob from Stoke and they team up for the journey ahead – even though neither of them really have a destination in mind.
The book becomes a kind of travelogue, as you see their journeys and the different countries through their eyes. Instead of tourist attractions and posh hotels you might read about in other books, this one shows you hostels, fields and how many people will help hitch-hikers.
It is a unique book, I’ve never read anything like it before. It is very thought-provoking and good to see homelessness from a different perspective. He explores a world that most of us have very little idea about. Cameron isn’t a junkie or an alcoholic either and this should help challenge people’s stereotypes on who the homeless are and how they come to be living on the streets.
I also liked seeing the different countries from Cameron’s point of view and meeting the interesting characters he encounters on his travels.
8 out of 10
The book is released on April 1st and costs £2.99 on Amazon Kindle
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy to read and provide an honest review.
BLURB
Based on the author’s own experiences of leaving home and travelling across Europe on less than a pound a day, These Walls Were Never Really There is a compelling true story described by publishing editors as ‘immersive and moving’ and ‘a potential prizewinner in the making’.
Initially set in the heart of Manchester’s homeless community, These Walls follows twenty-year-old Cameron, who is propelled on a physical and spiritual journey which will take him far from the life he once knew.
A surprising story about mental health, friendship and redemption, this compelling debut will take you on a journey across Europe and beyond, as Cameron and his travelling companion Jacob navigate perilous border crossings, packs of wolves, and the harsh realities of life on the road.
Set against the backdrop of the emerging Arab Spring, Cameron and Jacob will have their friendship pushed to its limits as they find themselves trapped thousands of miles away from home…
You can read more about the author’s story and the inspiration behind the book here: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/i-just-wanted-escape-man-19762098
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