Customer Reviews
It's Real Alright - By: Tomvox, 21 Jun 2008 
Colin has captured the genuine feel of what may have been a physically run-down area but what the people turned into a tightly-knit community. To anyone growing upin 1950's or early 1960's Glasgow the Gorbals was an area to be avoided. These infamous slums however had a heart - the people of The Gorbals. Colin gives voice to how people had a strong community spirit that survived the 1960's redevelopment of the area & why even today people will be proud to say "Ah'm fae the Gorbals". I understand he is producing a follow-up to come outin late 2008 recounting his own change from a Gorbals Boy to a cosmopolitan man. I look forward to reading it knowing that you cannot take the Gorbals out of the boy (and I'm sure he wouldn't want it any other way).
Magnificent amusing stupendous book - By: johnnyboy, 08 Jan 2008 The Real Gorbals Story is quite simply a magnificently funny. moving, sometimes brutally candid account of being brought upin the old Gorbals of the 1960s. It's a book that will uplift your mood & make you think about how people had to cope with those times on the meanest of Glasgow streets. Macfarlane has done himself & the Gorbals people proud. I defy anyone from the old Gorbals to write a better book.
YOU WOULD BE A MUG NOT TO BUY THIS! - By: real gorbals guy, 04 Jan 2008 The Real Gorbals Story is the best book ever written about the place. Unlike all the other Gorbals tomes Macfarlane captures the humour & all the characters perfectly. This really would make a great movie as it is full of little unexpected endings & humorous events that continually takes the reader by surprise.
GREAT BOOK ABOUT GREAT TIME A MUST READ FOR ALL - By: GAME GUY, 03 Jan 2008 THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FULL OF ANECDOTES AND TWISTS AND TURNS ABOUT THE OLD GORBALS. I DEFY ANYONE TO BRING OUT A BETTER BOOK ABOUT THE GORBALS THAN THIS. THE REAL GORBALS STORY IS QUITE SIMPLY A BRILLIANT TRUE LIFE ACCOUNT OF WHAT IT WAS REALLY LIKE TO LIVE ON GLASGOW'S MEANEST STREETS. THE DAILY RECORD EVEN HAILED IT AS BRILLIANT AND I CAN'T DISAGREE!
This is a very good read full of true life stories from the gorbals - By: tinycumbie, 03 Jan 2008 I was bornin Thistle Streetin 1953 & The Real Gorbals Story has got the feel of the place & the characters spot on. The last reviewer says he can only remember three characters well perhaps unlike like the rest of us he did not venture out enough to experience what was going on the the magical old gorbals. I know I was there & I can remember Macfarlane & his pals...this book is a must for all those interestedin the old place. I still livein the Gorbals & all the boys agree that this book has got to be one of the best ever. Buy it & see!
