Ma, He Sold Me for a Few Cigarettes: A Memoir of Dublin in the 1950s

By Martha Long

Book Overview

"Not for the faint of heart, Long's story is a gritty, grueling, and heartbreaking testament to one girl's unbreakable spirit."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

When Martha Long's feckless mother hooks up with the Jackser ("that bandy aul bastard"), and starts having more babies, the abuse and poverty in the house grow more acute. Martha is regularly sent out to beg and more often steal, and her wiles (as a child of 7, 8) are often the only thing keeping food on the table. Jackser is a master of paranoid anger and outburst, keeping the children in an unheated tenement, unable to go to school, at the ready for his unpredictable rages. Then Martha is sent by Jackser to a man he knows in exchange for the price of a few cigarettes. She is nine. She is filthy, lice-ridden, outcast. Martha and Ma escape to England, but for an itinerant Irishwoman finding work in late 1950s England is a near impossibility. Martha treasures the time alone with her mother, but amazingly Ma pines for Jackser and they eventually return to Dublin and the other children. And yet there are prized cartoon magazines, the occasional hidden penny to buy the children sweets, the glimpse of loving family life in other houses, and Martha's hope that she will soon be old enough to make her own way.

Virtually uneducated, Martha Long is natural-born storyteller. Written in the vernacular of the day, the reader is tempted to speak like Martha for the rest of a day (and don't let me hear yer woman roarin' bout it neither). One can't help but cheer on this mischievous, quick-witted, and persistent little girl who has captured hearts across Europe.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1609804147
• ISBN13: 9781609804145
• Release Date: November 2012
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Not read yet

Interesting yet for the child I'd imagine it's a terrible nightmare in which I hope she wins not just the battle within but the battle

ma' he sold me for a few cigarettes

When we all think that we are having a bad day, or there is nothing in the frig. to eat. Pick up this book "Ma' he sold me for a few cigarettes". The story about a little girl who is beaten, beaten and beaten some more by her Mothers boyfriend, put out into the streets at the age of 4-12 at all hours of the night with just an old torn dress on her back and no coat to keep warm. More dirt on her body then on the ground she walks on. Starving, sexually abused,and used as a go-for. She just wants to be loved, and with all she endures, she is the ONLY ONE who shows love and affection to her younger brothers and sisters. This book is a MUST READ!!. A true story of survival and courage. You will turn the pages in discuss, but it will make you stand up and applaud this little girl for her courage. My heart goes out to Martha Long. You should be awarded the Purple Heart. TWO THUMBS UP

ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes

I saw this book in London at the local bookstore. Despite the streep prices in London, I made the purchase. I was glad that I did. A sad but great book. If one has the drive to get out of poverty and make somnething out of life, then this is the book to read. This young girl is amazing and a role model.

Wow

What a great book, very very sad. Can't recommend it enough, best book I have read in years. Jackser yer a bollix.

Just amazing!

This is a biography of a girl growing up with mother, step dad and small brothers and sisters. Step dad is abusive and drinks a lot. Mom swears at children, and does nothing much except staring into space. The only income the family has is social support, charity and Martha's brightness. Martha doesn't have anything (not even shoes) and no one takes care of her since very small, yet she manages not to give up and finds happiness in tiniest things we seldom notice, repeating to herself "I won't be like them, I'll be grand and respectable when I grow up". Her determination and sharp mind is amazing and I was greatly inspired. It's hard to believe she's so young, she's actually smarter than grownups. Really wish there was a sequel!!