Mickey, the narrator, is 11 years old, intelligent, gentle and living in the Ardoyne at the height of The Troubles. And if that weren't enough, his is mocked and tormented because, in his own words, ‘ everyone says I’m gay’. A terrifyingly realistic view of a dreadful time (in terms of both history and growing up) that is nevertheless often very funny. Highly recommended.
That's cuz there is no Mr Brannagan. Blown up by his own bomb. They gave him a big funeral with the Irish flag over the coffin. Fired shots in the air. Come to think of it the IRA are quite nice cuz both Mr McAnally and Mr Brannagan made a mess of it and the IRA don't seem to mind.