Official Review: Boyhood Dream by John Scully

[VictoriaMcMillen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Boyhood Dream" by John Scully.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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{i}Boyhood Dream[/i] is an autobiography, by John Scully, revealing his struggle to achieve the dream of being an owner of a grocery store, in his home country of Ireland. The book is told from John Scully’s point of view and covers the course of his life, mostly in 1970’s Ireland and into the present. The book offers great insight of what some face emotionally, physically, and financially when formal complaints are made and only backlash, not justice, follows.

The story starts off as the author writes of his poor, but respectable, upbringing and goes on to how he intends to succeed in his dream. This dream wasn’t easy to attain as there was little profitable work in Ireland at the time. He traveled to England to work, gain experience, and a savings account to start up with. While there, he met his wife and they shared the dream of returning to Ireland to buy a store and raise their family. Upon returning to Ireland and purchasing their first store, everything seemed fine, everything seemed good. They did not know of the impending doom or why, but their dream certainly turned into a nightmare to stretch across decades. It was a long and difficult road for them both; between the Gardaí harassment, the slow court proceedings, and the street thugs- the Scully family seemingly had no chance at their dream. A nightmare created seemingly from their own doing because they had made formal complaints when wrongs were committed against them.

The book’s theme of injustice had resemblances to America today. Similar to our Patriot Act in the United States, Ireland’s Offences Against the State Act was enlisted for similar reasons and caused similar abuses. Through Scully’s story, you can begin to understand the disconcerting efforts of a country trying to change or resist change. The cost of Ireland’s choice, in releasing officers that are not fully trained into its society, was heartbreakingly displayed and showed how detrimental it can be to the livelihoods of its citizens. The people that were trying to create change in Ireland in the 1970s were labeled as subversives. They were treated and viewed as the U.S. government and media are portraying race equality and climate change protesters, in 2017, in U.S. cities and at Standing Rock.

Mr. Scully’s story is a heavy one, filled with government and housing corruption and lack of protection faced by many citizens in 1970s Ireland. His story reminds me of some American Indian reservations where any person trying to create positive change can be labeled a rebel rouser and black-balled. Black-balling, meaning a person will lose their housing, employment, and needed services or be blocked from attaining them. It was interesting to recall, in my own experience, the historical friendly relations between the American Indians and the Irish. While reading, yet again, about the similar struggles they each have faced- leads an eerie feeling that their bonds root further back than Irish immigration to America and the boarding schools they each faced here. It goes back to the simple plight of trying to do good, create good, and constantly being persecuted against.

The book raises a lot of issues regarding the lack of efficacy in the justice system, I think that is something we can relate to a great deal in America. Not many citizens have the time or resources to actively or successfully engage the system for justice, nor are they effectively educated in the processes of the justice system in order to do so. The experiences offered with this book makes for a prime example why “whistleblower” type laws need to expand to protect all. When complaints are made there should not be any point made to bring shame or blame, but an awareness of an issue, and an opportunity to become better as a person, organization, community, or country. That is what the author expected when making complaints, as would any citizen with rights would.

There were only a few shortcomings that I found throughout the book. One being the disorientation that occurred when the author was repeatedly recapping his whole experience in the various chapters. The trauma endured by the author was evident as he was seemingly resituating or grounding himself, preparing to give more detail into what the next part of the story was- this was dizzying to me but understandable. Secondly, all of the abuses his family faced seemed so unbelievable- without reason, since there was no explanation from the author for the first few chapters. Their struggle made much more sense after a passage was written revealing what the “current events” of Ireland were at that time. I felt the beginning of the book should have better laid the sense of the state of Ireland and then went on into the family's struggle, then the disorientation would have been much less.

I am rating the book, Boyhood Dream, 3 out of 4 stars. I couldn't help but feel for these people and found the book to be personal and heartbreaking. I believe the story needs to be told and needs to be heard by many. The autobiography would be a great read for helping professionals, politicians, and anyone else who likes peering into the life and times of others or can have an impact on them. In a way, it helps to see the real-life effects of poor ethics in government on the average citizen. It definitely is a book you want to read if you are thinking about complaining about someone petitioning for their rights as citizens.

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Boyhood Dream
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Like VictoriaMcMillen's review? Post a comment saying so!

[stacie k]

I’m not sure that a heavy book with a theme of injustice is what I’m looking for right now. But I do agree that his story should be heard. Thanks for an enlightening review!

[Mercelle]

It's admirable that besides the hardships, John sought to make a better life for himself. This display of tenacity is one that a lot of people could benefit from.

[VictoriaMcMillen]

It's admirable that besides the hardships, John sought to make a better life for himself. This display of tenacity is one that a lot of people could benefit from.

I agree, through every account of harassment, they tried to do the right thing and were persecuted against, instead of protected. They continued to try to do good, raising their family, no matter the costs. I hope many take some time to read this book!