An unflinching and profoundly moving account of how it is to grow up on the very edges of society, told with honesty, courage and above all, generosity. I read it in two big gulps. A superb read.

One of the reasons why I like memoirs is that many times the author's experiences align with my own life. Poor was a very easy 5-star rating for me. And it is now one of my top favourite memoirs of all time. I saw myself quite a lot in this book. I grew up in a council state back in my country and my mother had undiagnosed bipolar so growing up was very tough for me. If you have never had to be an adult while being a child and figuring out and navigating life without support, I envy you. My life experiences have shaped me as the person I am today but I wish I had a more normal upbringing. If you read Educated by Tara Westover, you will enjoy this.

At a loss for words after finishing this book. If only I could put my arms into this incredible book and lift the vulnerable child out of its pages. To be able to wrap her in my arms and then give her the unending support and access to the services she needed as a child, but did not get, I would… in a heartbeat. Katriona’s personal testimony is one played out in many homes over many years , and it stands as a testament to her bravery, drive and fortitude that she managed to transcend it. This is a story that shows how government services (when they work) and small acts of kindness can play a HUGE role in lifting people out of the poverty, chaos and trauma of their lives. An utterly incredible biography.

Genuinely one of the most profoundly moving memoirs I have ever read. Katriona O’Sullivan is unflinchingly honest about her experiences and whilst the subject matter is dark and often upsetting, I was struck by O’Sullivan’s recollections of the ‘good’; where the moments of kindness and empathy shown by a teacher reveals both her vulnerability and highlights how frequently she was let down by a multitude of systems. I think it’s always a testament to a writer’s craft when they are able to make their reader laugh and cry, and for O’Sullivan to produce this effect when telling her own story is the purest indication of how beautifully written Poor is. This is one that will stay with you for far longer than it takes to read, and one that everyone should read.

Having grown up in a similar situation to Katrina, I found it hard to get through the book. This struggle was nothing to do with Katriona’s writing (her prose is beautiful and her story is immensely important) but was due to her painful journey to gain some form of contentment within her life; dare I say even happiness. Katriona details her life on a working-class estate in Coventry with an Irish father and a British mother. Both parents suffered with substance abuse issues which ultimately contributed to the neglect and subsequent abuse of Katriona and her siblings. She talks of the school systems; the teachers who treated her with compassion but also those who made life hard for her. She deals with her own substance abuse issues, SA*, teen pregnancy and ultimately, her battle to regain control and a fulfilling life. Her overall message is describing the cyclical nature of poverty, the lack of government support or intervention and how choices don’t exist for those who are poor or working-class. This needs to be studied within teaching, psychology, social care and politics. Poor families deserve better, and Katriona has done much to help with this book.