Hunting Concrete Lions
A Redemption Memoir
by Michael Cannan
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Pub Date Jun 10 2017 | Archive Date Oct 30 2019
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Description
FINALIST FOR THE BEST BOOK AWARD FOR NON-FICTION
A boy's enchanted childhood in a coastal town on the Isle of Man - one of rabbit hunts, darkened church naves and lessons in ancient Viking heritage - is about to disappear forever.
Boyhood dreams of football fame are ditched for drinking pints with the lads at the local pool hall; just the beginning of a descent into wretched self-destruction, smoking crack with homeless friends under London's bridges, a volatile cocktail of drugs, bodybuilding and steroid use colliding with disastrous consequences.
Anything and everything will eventually be employed to quell an insatiable appetite for self-loathing and denial.
After leaving his beloved Isle of Man, Michael is squandering his life in a grim apartment on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand.
A chance encounter with a supermodel will sweep him away to the sheer luxury of California; a stroke of good fortune that Michael promptly sets out to destroy with one sordid escapade after another across the Mexican border.
Tragedy and comedy combine in this irresistible memoir, the destruction caused by drugs and alcohol outdone only by one man's irrepressible will to live.
Advance Praise
"Strangely brilliant ... a totally different book." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"Such an honest and open book where you will laugh, cry and be extremely shocked! I literally couldn't put this book down and now I've finished it I want to read it all over again." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"This really is the bravest. most open and honest book I have ever read. It made me laugh, cry, physically sob, sometimes cringe and then laugh again." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"Fantastic read! Written in such an honest way you can feel the transition from boy to Viking. " - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"I was blown away by the honesty of Michaels writing. It must have been tough to pen such an open, frank and gritty read. I can see this being an inspiration to individuals in the grip of the demons around them and give hope to their family and friends." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"I'm not really one for writing reviews but I think this book deserves one. It's a brilliantly written book, I couldn't put it down from start to finish. You can tell that Michael has put his heart into this book and it shows in the writing. It's a book that I could read over & over. If I could give 10 stars I would." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"Wow. What a funny, heartbreaking, inspirational book about addiction, raw and honest. Very well written. I read it virtually non stop." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"This is the most amazing book I've read in a very long time. I was totally hooked from the first chapter...and it just seemed to get better." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
"Brutal honesty combined with a fabulous sense of humour leaves you crying, laughing and travelling the raw, humble, crazy journey with Michael... I finished it and wanted to start it all over again. Fantastic." - Amazon Reviewer (5 Stars)
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9780692894828 |
| PRICE | $9.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Kieran D, Reviewer
Absolutely brilliant. Raw, honest, sprinkled with some humour and at times, heartbreaking. Exactly what a memoir should be. This is a great insight into how addiction can control you and it's not always as simple as 'just stop'. The trials and tribulations the author had to overcome are incredible. This represents hope for others who may be in a similar situation.
Highly recommended, five stars.
Deb M, Reviewer
Hunting Concrete Lions: A Redemption Memoir by Michael Cannan
If you are an alcoholic drug addict you have probably lived this story. If not, here’s an eye opener for you. Michael’s fall into the pit of despair and climb back out will terrify you.
This brutally honest, lucky-to-be-alive tale takes you all over the world as Michael Cannan searches for a way to live the good life for free-off the backs of others, as he lies, cheats and steals his way into nirvana. Or so he thinks.
A psychotic breakdown takes him to rehab which saves his life. Atoning for harmful deeds buys him his ultimate freedom and the chance to move on. How he remembers enough years of his delusional drug and alcohol infused life to write this story I haven’t a clue, but I do know you’ll be glued to this memoir.
Sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for an ARC for my review.
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