In" I DIDN'T BELONG" recollections are recorded as a narrative journal in which the author details the memories of his violent childhood with an abusive father while his mother struggled to make a better life for her sons. Due to their Gypsy heritage, the family was treated as social outcasts and the boys were shuffled between Gypsy encampments, the homes of various family members and foster homes. As a teen, he fell into a life of crime eventually ending up in prison where he sustained numerous beatings and a rampant prejudice. After a failed marriage and years spent as an alcoholic and drug addict, Mr Cook joined Walkley Baptist Church and dedicated his life to God. Throughout" I DIDN'T BELONG" vivid images coalesce to create a text that is intended to be both introspective and informative. Furthermore, his careful description of his struggles may be of interest to the reader who is dealing with similar challenges.
