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.

'One of the best [books] I have read about the complexities of poverty . . . one of the most remarkable people you will ever meet' Guardian

'An amazing story . . . moving, uplifting, brave, heroic, shocking at times' Nuala McGovern, Woman's Hour, BBC

'[Poor] is moving, funny, brave and original - just like the author . . . an absolutely incredible read' Roisin Ingle, Irish Times' Women's Podcast


©2023 Katriona O'Sullivan (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Full of insight into a life lived right up against the boundaries placed on it by poverty . . . so important . . . we'd highly recommend (Fi Glover)

I read [Poor] in one sitting I found it so compelling. An amazing story . . . moving, uplifting, brave, heroic (Nuala McGovern)

Moving, funny, brave and original - just like the author . . . absolutely incredible (Róisín Ingle)

One of the best books I have ever read about the complexities of poverty . . . one of the most remarkable people you will ever meet

One of the most important books I have ever read . . . a beautiful telling of determination despite the odds (Lynn Ruane)

[A] story for the unheard and unseen that is fearless, funny and searingly honest (Adil Ray OBE)

Raw and remarkable

A book of empowerment and hope (Patricia Scanlan)

An important contribution to our understanding of poverty and its impact

An incredible read

The honesty of experiene

The wisdom the author gained through the experiences of her life. It gave me a new perspective.

Fantastic!

A very engaging look at the realities of being poor, and not just financially. It affects every area of ones life, starting at birth. A beautiful tribute, told by a wonderful author who DID overcome so much while still living the aftereffects in some ways. Poetic beauty in the way she writes. Thank you Katriona O'Sullivan, for sharing this journey with us.

outstanding memoir

I couldn't stop listening from the 1st chapter. Brilliantly honest and forgiving account of the universal human condition.

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.