People Like Me: Winner of the Irish Book Awards Non-Fiction Book of the Year

A memoir tracing the author's childhood, drug use, teenage pregnancy, return to education, and path into public life. Through personal history, it speaks frankly about class, addiction, and young people left outside social systems.

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Work Information

A memoir about a woman who stops running from herself, faces her past, and finds a public voice for change.

People Like Me is a nonfiction account of Lynn Ruane's journey from a working-class Dublin childhood through teenage crisis, drug use, pregnancy, and leaving school toward education and activism. Affection for family and community, the failures of institutions, and the memory of people who helped her are woven together, making the book both a story of personal rebuilding and a call for social justice.

Review Summaries

Its candid and courageous voice is widely valued, especially the way private pain is connected to broader social questions. The book leaves a strong impression by turning lived experience into public language without self-pity.

Book Information

Publisher: Gill Books
Published: 2019-04-05
Pages: 288 pages
Language: 英語
Size: 12.9 x 2 x 19.7 cm
ISBN-13: 9780717185597
ISBN-10: 0717185591
Price: 3513 JPY
Category: 洋書/Politics & Social Sciences/Sociology/Race Relations/Discrimination & Racism

Born into a loving working-class home, Lynn Ruane’s early years were idyllic, but all that changed when two shocking incidents in her teenage years shook her to her core. She gradually withdrew from family life and went further into the world of petty crime and chaotic drug use that permeated the streets of her hometown. By age fifteen – pregnant with her first child and no longer attending school – Lynn hit rock bottom and made the brave decision to stop running away from herself. Against all odds, she set about rebuilding her life and laying to rest the ghosts of her past. Intimate and brave, People Like Me is an exhilarating story about how where we are from shapes the opportunities and challenges we face. From the edges of society to the centre as a leading political voice for justice and equality in Irish society, Lynn’s is a story of how self-belief can help you rise above all obstacles, inspiring others around you to do the same. ‘I highly recommend this’ NIALL BRESLIN ‘A fantastic book’ VINCENT BROWNE ‘Read this in one sitting. Powerful and moving’ ALAN RUSBRIDGER, former editor of The Guardian ‘Made me cry and think and feel … everyone should read it’ RÓISÍN INGLE

Lynn Ruane is a social activist and politician who has served as a member of Seanad Éireann since April 2016. Independent of party affiliation, she is a prominent advocate of numerous progressive causes, including the reform and modernisation of Ireland’s drug treatment and counselling infrastructure, universal access to education, women’s reproductive rights, and LGBTQ rights. She is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and has two daughters, the eldest of whom, Jordanne, is a DFCC-award-winning and IFTA-nominated actress.

Reviews

You have to admire Lynn for achieving everything she has done and her family for being so supportive of her no matter what. Excellent read.
Lyne is a hero IMO. She is someone who when I was growing up I would have hated and maybe called a scumbag. What she has done to save herself and her family is nothing short of remarkable. Reading her account of life and life's challenges has also giving me such a kick.up the arse for being so single minded and for that I would like to thank her. She is now a huge inspiration to me a full 180 degree turn on what I would have thought about her as a young woman
This book was hard to read at times due to it's organization it reads like it was written in one sitting without taking a breath to check timelines (sorry!). However it had a profound impact on me - I resonated a lot with Lynn`s struggles and agree with all of her arguments in the book. most of us who come from backgrounds like hers would never have the courage to write a book like this for fear of judgement and shame. Her voice is an important one that shares seldom heard stories and lays out very uncomfortable truths. I was close to tears looking at the photos by the end. Thanks Lynn for having the guts to tell your story. I'll be citing it for sure in my PhD on social class in education!
Had heard a really interesting interview with Lynn...that's what prompted purchase of book. Book explored really well the huge social problems that currently exist based frequently on where you live. However I did find the reason behind the break up with her father to be rather trite. For the strength she showed before and after the incident(???) her lack of forgiveness was astounding. I think her exploration of some of the social problems only scratched the surface and could have been more in depth. Her characters would have this been more real! But liked the read. Interesting social comment which should be given more prominence by politicians
Absolutely loved this book, Lynn is so honest it's hard not to be brought along into her story and feel like you are experiencing it with her. She tackles some difficult life experiences which a lot of people can relate to and she is a total inspiration to people who may live in low socioeconomic areas. I laughed and I cried and I felt she had shared something special with me when I was finished.