Poor

Grit, Courage, and the Life-Changing Value of Self-Belief

By: Katriona O'Sullivan

Narrated by: Katriona O'Sullivan

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

'We love a rags-to-riches story, and we love to see someone triumph through sheer determination. But the story is rarely that simple. My story isn't, anyway.'

As the middle of five kids growing up in dire poverty, the odds were low on Katriona O'Sullivan making anything of her life. When she became a mother at 15 and ended up homeless, what followed were five years of barely coping.

This is the extraordinary story - moving, funny, brave, and sometimes startling - of how Katriona turned her life around. How the seeds of self-belief planted by teachers in childhood stayed with her. How she found mentors whose encouragement revived those seeds in adulthood.

Now an award-winning lecturer whose work challenges barriers to education, Poor stands as a stirring argument for the importance of looking out for our kids' futures. Of giving them hope, practical support and meaningful opportunities.

©2023 Katriona O'Sullivan (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

'A book of empowerment and hope.' (Patricia Scanlan)

'[A] story for the unheard and unseen that is fearless, funny and searingly honest.' (Adil Ray OBE)

'Katriona has taken her life and turned it into a call for action. She has given us all of her in her radically honest memoir and all who read it must meet that honesty with action. Poor is a book that can society, and we must all level up to change it with her.' (Lynn Ruane)

Great listen

loved it, all the places in Birmingham I can relate to as I too lived close. we'll read and excellent pacing. definitely recommended

outstanding memoir

I couldn't stop listening from the 1st chapter. Brilliantly honest and forgiving account of the universal human condition.

Perfection

Loved every minute of this. Learned so much. Excellently narrated. Some stories so hard to listen to but we need to hear these stories of the underclasses.

Such an amazing woman!

Loved this story, despite it being a tough listen at times. Told with love, compassion and humour.

Inspirational

This is woman did overcome a great deal of trauma , and a very horrific upbringing . I was happy to find that she survives and thrived and prospered, despite the obvious judgment of many. A great perseverance story.

A Must Read or Listen

I absolutely enjoyed and loved this book. It is autobiographical and the author is also the narrator. At first I found her voice a bit monotone, but the author has the ability to capture the reader's attention and emotions while considering their own childhood experiences into adulthood and beyond. But her true story is not just about that; I love the epilogue. Katriona 's voice and words evoke ideas to catalyze change in poor communities, not only in Dublin and Ireland- but across the world (including the USA where I am writing from). Way to go Katriona, yes you were lucky because of your access to Trinity program that no longer exists in the same way it did for you years ago. But it was also very much because of your hard work. I love your story because of it's truth, how it made you feel and restricted your growth (set-point); which I feel happens to so many others. Enjoy the 'love of your life' and your beautiful children, Dr. O'Sullivan (who feels most comfortable in jeans and a hoodie :)).

Jessica

Heart wrenching story.

This was such an excellent read. The author really helps you see what it’s like to be raised by drug addicted parents from the point of view of the child. So many children are living lives they have no control over and yet they are blamed for their shortcomings We should all feel compassion for them. This book moved me to tears several times - having the author read it made the story even more emotional and compelling. An excellent read!

Such an amazing story, totally compelling listening

Wow. This book helps provide a completely different perspective for the disadvantaged and how we can contribute to breaking the cycle

Listened to it all in one sitting

I couldn’t stop listening. This story is heartbreaking, insightful harrowing yet filled with optimism and hope. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

Highly Recommend

I recommend the audio version, as for me, hearing the author’s voice telling her own story added value. At times, a hard but necessary listen to understand badly needed changes in both perception of “the poor” and as a result of this, educational opportunities and potential contributions to society missed.