I read this book after seeing the TV programme about it. It was even better than the programme, gives a real insight into one life, the life of a man whose existence is precarious to say the least. He is someone who you might have passed on the street and made immediate assumptions about, some of which may be applicable, others that were totally removed from the actual life of Stuart, any labels like alcoholic, drug taker, vagrant, theif, psycho, violent re-offender would be true but Stuart cannot be bound by all of those words, he is so much more.

The book, well crafted by Alexander Masters, tells the story of Stuart as he was when the author met him and looks at his life in reverse, how he turned into what he became, where it all went wrong. The author is well placed to offer his own judgements, he responds with compassion, support but often and believeably with total exasperation for Stuart and the situations he gets himself into. This is a book that I thought about for many many weeks after I read it, it made a big impact on me and continues to resonate.

RELEASE NOTES: