Poor

By: Katriona O'Sullivan

Narrated by: Katriona O'Sullivan

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.

Her life and unconventional wisdom

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and her voice highlights her story. Amazing heartfelt on many human levels.

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.

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

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.

Outstanding book

Incredibly well written. The insights evoke a much needed change in how we view poverty, trauma, addiction and most of all, education. I’ve been a college professor for forty-five years trying my best to say the very same things. Thank you, Katriona. Thank you.