Book Jacket

 

rank 5465
word count 15477
date submitted 09.08.2010
date updated 29.11.2010
genres: Non-fiction, Biography, Harper True...
classification: universal
incomplete

Their Spirits, My Demons: Thirty Years of Booze, Bruises and Broken Hearts

John Ormond

What began in Dublin, ended in Dublin.....

 

…in between was a lifetime of arguments, dodgy child minders, bullying, night terrors, cancer scares, ruined holidays, fear of an impending nuclear war, put downs by ‘Sir Jimmy Savile’ and alcohol misuse.

It’s fair to say that alcoholism has pretty much torn my world apart. It’s caused the death of so many of my family members including both of my parents that I’ve almost become blasé towards death…..

But hey! This is no ‘tragic life story’!

My camp alcoholic uncle who’d be my only real male role model whilst growing up provided me with plenty of laughs, often at his own expense, more often at the expense of myself and others. He once fell in love with a Greek donkey I kid you not.

“The way we ended up!” he’d say to you whilst holding his hand to his chest.

And what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger; well that’s what I’ve heard anyway….

‘Their Spirits, My Demons’ is a warm and humorous reminiscence of growing up in a larger than life family plagued by emotional instability, denial and escapism from life’s trials and tribulations.

 
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tags

alcohol, alcoholism, bereavement, bullying, childhood, death, deppression, emotional, family, humour, life, memoir, substance abuse

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19 comments

 

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A G Chaudhuri wrote 87 days ago

Dear John,

Deep down inside, we're all escapists, my friend.
But, I applaud the way you look at life. The world’s indeed a better place when you smile.

This is a very unique narrative that defies and plays with one of the most critical and deeply entrenched customs of writing and story telling. POV. I’m no expert in this matter, but, I was overtly impressed by your skilful use of language and dry humour.

‘Their Spirits, My Demons’ was such an enlightening read. It’s an assertion of the triumph of human spirit against impossible odds. It’s also a must read for parents or would-be parents who may often feel that they’re not duly ready for parenthood. So many people often give in to their own stress and neglect the finer aspects of parenting. A happy and healthy home environment is essential for the proper mental and physical development of a child.

Your book has found a permanent place on my profile page.
It’s one of the most ingenuously written memoirs I’ve ever read.
And, I wish you all the very best.

Sincere regards,
AGC


strachan gordon wrote 274 days ago

This is a very well-written and engaging memoir and promises to be a very interesting read . Would you have the time to look at the first chapter of my novel 'A Buccaneer' which is set amongst Pirates in the 17th century, with best wishes , Strachan Gordon. Watchlisted and starred.

Tom Bye wrote 498 days ago

Hi John 'Their spirits, my demons----

Dublin caught my eye and brought me in to read this very down to earth book. Relating to the social aspects of living there in the 70s and told straight out from the heart with no punches pulled, the book catches living in the inner city to a tee. All family life is here, the mother the father, uncles aunties the lot.. i can well relate to the living conditions of the time. Wonderfully reveling , and complex characters, with their traits exposed, believable and gritty.

tom bye ' from hugs to kisses'
please glance at mine, about a boy growing up in Dublin in the 40s. you will like it !

lisawb wrote 566 days ago

A compelling book that gives incredible insight to the complexities of life dealing with alcoholism, depression and a roller coaster of emotions. Significant for the true insight and written well. Authentic and very relatable.

Backed,

Lisa

Walden Carrington wrote 595 days ago

John,
Thanks for sharing your true life account. I admire the courage of writers who are willing to share their private life with the public. Their Spirits, My Demons: Thirty Years of Booze, Bruises and Broken Hearts could be helpful to someone who is an alcoholic or knows someone who is. Backed with pleasure.

Eunice Attwood wrote 636 days ago

Your story catapulted me back to the 70's when I was having my own babies. My friend's baby was in a contraption like yours so I know the trials you and your mum went through. Well written and backed with pleasure. Eunice - The Temple dancer.

She wrote 637 days ago

John I expected self pity, I expected rage and I expected misery - I didn't expect this roller coaster of a cracking good story. It is like sitting at the table with a cup of coffee listening to a great friend having a conversation and losing myself in the tale. I didn't intend to read much, just a quick glimpse to see if I liked it and boy did I like it. I love it and wish I had the time to read it all in one sitting. Backed Backed Backed and on my shelf! Brill!
She
The Main stay
Annie of Empire Street.

name falied moderation wrote 637 days ago

Dear John
I have started to read your writing and must say that it is compelling. Already you have established your animated characters in my head, ( they are not leaving soon) and i feel strongly to back your book now. I do wish to be part of your climb to the top on this site. CONGRATS and I will comment more as I read more

BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK also

The VERY best of luck to you

Denise
The Letter

name falied moderation wrote 637 days ago

Dear John
I have started to read your writing and must say that it is compelling. Already you have established your animated characters in my head, ( they are not leaving soon) and i feel strongly to back your book now. I do wish to be part of your climb to the top on this site. CONGRATS and I will comment more as I read more

BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK also

The VERY best of luck to you

Denise
The Letter

SusieGulick wrote 638 days ago

Dear John, I backed your book a week ago, when I returned from vacation & have finally gotten to read & comment on it. :) Your pitch drew me in & I knew it would be a good read. :) Your storyline kept me reading. :) I love the letters that your hero wrote to his mom in chapter 6. :) That is so funny. :) I hope you will take a moment to back my 2 memoir books. :) Thanks. :) Love, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs."

sean_hornby wrote 645 days ago

Brutal, honest, interesting and well written: I think that covers the load.

BACKED



Thanks very much!!!

andrew skaife wrote 650 days ago

Brutal, honest, interesting and well written: I think that covers the load.

BACKED

Tom Bye wrote 652 days ago

DEAR JOHN 'THEIR SPIRITS, MY DEMON'

just reas quite a bit of your book and found it to be honest and truthfull. and well written. very compelling read in fact. more so because i was born in Dubliln myself
every thing you say rings true and very sad indeed , a lot of suffering in those days.
many people will relate to this story and it should do well for you'
backed
TOM BYE ' FROM HUGS TO KISSES '
would like you to read some of mine which is fiction however based on fact as a child growing up in the Dublion of the 40s ,please back and comment if you like it thanks

fh wrote 652 days ago

THEIR SPIRITS THEIR DEMONS
Dear Jogn,
A good short pitch and a strong follow on. I wanted to read more stright away. A brave man who writes his own story and I salute you. Nicely written, reads true and believable. Good luck on here.
Faith
The assassins Village

Pia wrote 653 days ago

John -

Their Spritis, my Demons - Lovely writing, and I like the tone of this biography, makes me want to read on.

Backed, Pia (Course of Mirrors).

sean_hornby wrote 653 days ago

Praise for ‘Their Spirits, My Demons’, from Harper Collins “Authonomy” website.

‘A strong, humorous voice that had me smiling time and time again’

‘This is a funny, poignant and well-crafted book’

‘This work is a masterpiece of observational talent presented with a slant of humour seldom found elsewhere’

‘You have told your story in a very frank, down to earth and humorous manner and have taken the people in your life as they are’

‘I have no experience of alcoholism and your account is a real eye-opener. Fascinating and riveting’

‘It has plenty of heartfelt emotion, as well as being deeply sensitive’

‘Brutally honest, heart-stopping in its sincerity, this is a tale of life, alcohol and family’

‘This is a wonderful autobiographical piece, steady and down-to-earth with the volatile mixture of emotions, from tragedy to euphoria that comes with human-life’

‘Your descriptions of family and the times and what rooms look and smelt like are vivid and instantly bring the reader right where you want them’

‘This tugs on so many emotions in so many different ways it is a must read. I think it is always a privilege to be let in to someone’s life’

‘This is cleverly written – very light, comedic delivery to a situation that could be construed as anything but’

name falied moderation wrote 653 days ago

Dear John
what happened to all the comments, like I gave one before.
anyways, this is a really well crafted book and such a good read. I just loved the book cover from the first. your pitch has got to be one of the best on site and I am a little miffed to see that my comment is not her and also now am concerned my backing did not show either. I am backing this again to make sure it is WORTH IT
if you have already backed my book thank you so much, if not would you find the time, if not that is OK also
the VERY best of luck
Denise
The Letter

Andrew Burans wrote 653 days ago

It must have taken a great deal of courage to write your story and to share it with the world. I admire you for it. Your first person narrative voice resonates with authenticity and your straight forward, easy-to-read writing style, sprinkled with the right touches of humour, is perfect for this genre. Backed with pleasure.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

SusieGulick wrote 653 days ago

backed : read & commented on 7 days later :)

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