Celtic Childhood [Paperback]

Bill Watkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

The first book in a trilogy, A Celtic Childhood offers a collection of colorful characters and humorous memories spanning Watkins's boyhood years. Whether saving his elementary school Christmas pageant from utter disaster when a fire breaks out on stage, or dressing up as a gangster and causing havoc at a gala wedding affair, the roisterous young Liam never allowed for a dull moment. Here we see the origins of Watkins's literary and theatrical talents as he takes us to his family gatherings in Limerick and Wales, where Celtic poetry, history, and song were as lush as the rolling countryside.

"Bill Watkins should receive credit for re-associating the words humorous,' thoughtful,' and educational' with the term Irish memoir.' Watkins succeeds at creating a lively, readable account of the first 17 years of his life, because he possesses the skill of an Irish bard: He can mix poetry, song, story and history together to make a pleasing tale."-Missoula Independent

"A Celtic Childhood will appeal to all people who enjoy music and myths and a wee bit of mischief."-San Antonio Express News

"Brilliant and entertaining."-Jim Brooks, Irish Gazette

"Laugh-out-loud funny, with an eccentric cast of characters. . . . Watkins's embellished childhood tales make for pure reading pleasure."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's a brave act to publish a book that will inevitably be compared with Angela's Ashes in the same season as Frank McCourt's eagerly awaited sequel, 'Tis. Yet Watkins's demurely titled, rollicking memoir of his boyhood in postwar Ireland and England can bear the comparison, and it deserves to be read for its own brilliance, rhythm and structure. Laugh-out-loud funny, with an eccentric cast of characters (including a "spheraphobic" uncle who wouldn't eat anything round), Watkins's embellished childhood tales make for pure reading pleasure. Language lovers will be charmed by his expressions ("a great feast of a woman") and the glossary of such exotic terms as doolally (to get mad at someone) and Adam and Eve it (believe it). Born in 1950 in Limerick, where, according to his mother, "you can't spit without hitting a piece of history," Watkins inherited the bardic and musical talents of his parents. Mam was gregarious, beautiful and staunchly Irish and Catholic, always ready with a ballad. His Welsh father was raised in Britain and grew up to be an agnostic and freethinker given to drinking and good-natured fighting. The family lived happily in various places: a caravan (trailer), public housing and with his father's family in Birmingham, England. Covering the first 17 years of his life, this first installment in a projected trilogy is a fine coming-of-age story, woven from tales of Watkins's family, school days and boyish adventures, as well as of Catholicism, ghosts and his rambles as a teenage musician. Though it is laced with deprivation and pathos (including the loss of two babies), Watkins's story isn't permeated with the sadness of McCourt's work, though it's equally memorable. Four-city author tour. (Sept.) FYI: The second installment in Watkins's trilogy, Scotland Is Not for the Squeamish, is projected for publication in fall 2000.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This book represents another variation on the currently popular theme of Irish childhood memoirs. Unlike the troubling Angela's Ashes (LJ 8/96), most of this memoir consists of happy childhood tales. The book begins in 1955, when a five-year-old Watkins moves with his parents (his mother is Irish, his father, Welsh) to England. Readers then journey with Watkins through his childhood in the British Isles. The book is filled with entertaining anecdotes and information about Celtic history and languageAreaders learn about Celtic euphemisms, curses, blessings, and songs. (There's even a complete glossary of vocabulary and lyrics.) It should be noted, however, that Watkins fails to cite any historical or scholarly references; the stories that populate this book appear to have been handed down orally through Watkins's family. Recommended for larger libraries serving patrons interested in modern Celtic themes.AAngela M. Weiler, SUNY Libs., Morrisville
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Ruminator Books; 1st pbk. ed edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886913439
• ISBN-13: 978-1886913431
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,888,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book that will resurrect the spirit of impish youth, November 23, 1999

By 

Donal McQuat (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Celtic Childhood (Hardcover)

I was first recommended this book by a friend. Having already read Frank McCourt's 'Angela's Ashes' I was wary of what I assumed to be something of a similar subject matter. However I was pleasantly surprised. Rather than attempting to invoke a feeling of guilty depression upon the reader, Watkins book celebrates both the joys of growing up (many of us share the memory of a childhood that was poor AND happy)and the tenacious nature of the Celtic spirit without falling into the repetitive downward spiralling plot of AA. The overall mood is a positive one that involves the reader through rich descriptions and even a glossary to help with the cosmopolitan use of language. It is certainly a book that you can go back to and as a good book of this type should do, it leads the reader to fresh ground. I found myself wanting to know more of the historical and mythical characters alluded to in the text. If this is to be the first work of a trilogy I can only hope the best is yet to come!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Anti Angela's Ashes, March 7, 2000

By 

John Gillis (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Celtic Childhood (Hardcover)

Given the timing and subject matter of Bill Watkins' "A Celtic Childhood," comparisons to Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes" and "'Tis" are inevitable.While the similarities are evident, Watkins' and McCourt's styles are far from identical.

While McCourt's stories are humorous, they focus on the hardships of growing up poor in Ireland, seemingly from the point of view of an adult looking back on the past. Watkins, on the other hand, tells humorous stories that mention the hardships of his youth matter-of-factly, and is able to take on the point of view of the child describing the present.

Watkins' vivid imagination and gift for language are quite apparent in this memoir. The fantasies he created for himself as a child (and often acted out) are wonderful, whether he be Biggles the World War I aviator or the leader of a pack of American gangsters.

What stands out for me in this book is the relationship Watkins, as an only child, had with his parents (and other adult relatives). His mother is a woman of great creativity and salty language, while his father is a bit of a tosspot and ne'er-do-well who loves his son and imparts great knowledge of things scientific, philospohical and historical.

Watkins has the eye of the keen observer, always alert, missing nothing, and the ability to describe what he has observed with very creative uses of language.

I recommend this book strongly to fans of humor, memoir, and all things Irish. Watkins reportedly plans a trilogy, of which this is the first volume. (The second will allegedly be called "Scotland is Not for the Squeamish.") I can't wait to read it!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Celtic childhood, November 24, 1999

By 

Marie C McCarthy - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Celtic Childhood (Hardcover)

Bill puts a smile on your face every time you meet him. A Celtic childhood is an example of his exceptional wit and charisma ! Its a joy to have this book being Irish, I'm from Co. Limerick - what a great christmas present for the folks back home. Keep um coming Bill !