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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1609805038
• ISBN13: 9781609805036
• Release Date: February 2014
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

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

In Memory of Colleen F. Anthony

As I turned each page of this haunting story I desperately seeked for a sign of compassion, love or a tender moment in this tragic little girls life. But it was not meant to be. There would be no hero in this book; there would be no one to scoop Martha's fragile beaten body up and show compassion. There would never be justice for the many adults who touched her life in more than one way. Yet I could not put the book down. I could not stop reading page after page the horror that beat this child down. No one can image what it must have been like to wake each morning like this so that must have been the reason why I kept reading. I needed to understand what gave Martha the spirit to breathe one more day. More often than not I disliked her as much as the other horrible people in her life. Yet I felt if no one else in her life could show compassion the least I could do was to forgive her and try to understand that she was just surviving any way she could. After reading this you are more than likely asking yourself why you should or would read this book. I asked myself that several times as I picked it up day after day. The best I can say is this child for all her shortfalls has a abominable spirit. Martha never stopped believing she was worth more than the life she was given. In times when we are all living with uncertainty this one little girl gave me hope and to find that in one of the most unlikely places, in the pages of a small tattered child's last breath was more powerful than anything else I have experienced in a while. I recommend you throw yourself into these pages and discover the spirit of Martha Long. You will not be the same because of her. I dedicate this book to a special friend. Thank you Colleen F. Anthony for insisting I read your favorite book! I am just sorry we could not talk about it before you had to leave.

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!!