A Pocketful of Holes and Dreams

When I was first offered the chance to read Jeff Pearce’s “A Pocketful of Holes and Dreams” I was initially intrigued to see how readable a story it would be. I knew nothing of Jeff’s story, perhaps that’s due to my geographical location or perhaps just a quirk of fate I didn’t spot it in the written press or television news. Nonetheless I sat down and began to read what turned out to be a riveting true story about a lad who had nothing, but through sheer determination and relentless hard work worked his way out of the slums of Liverpool….

The first thing that struck me, within 20 pages or so, was how similar it felt to “The Kid” by Kevin Lewis – incidentally another Penguin publication I reviewed back in 2010. The book flows well and is set at an incredibly rapid pace and I never once longed for the book to hurry up and finish. I sat down with a cuppa in hand and was so immersed in Jeff’s story I hadn’t noticed the tea had gone cold and a full cup remained! It’s a truly engrossing story that will have you captivated from start to finish.

“Jeff (or James) Pearce grew up in a post-war Liverpool slum. His father lived the life of an affluent gentleman whilst his mother was forced to steal bread to feed her starving children. Life was tough and from the moment Jeff could walk he learned to go door to door, begging rags from the rich, which he sold down the markets. Leaving school at the age of fourteen, he embarked on an extraordinary journey, and found himself, before the age of thirty, a millionaire.

Then, after a cruel twist of fate left him penniless, he, his wife and children were forced out of their beautiful home. With nothing but holes in his pockets, Jeff had no alternative but to go back down the markets and start all over again. Did he still have what it took? Could he really get back everything he had lost? A Pocketful of Holes and Dreams is the heart-warming true story of a little boy who had nothing but gained everything and proof that, sometimes, rags can be turned into riches . . . ”

Despite their poor upbringing, one thing is clearly evident, the love his mother had for her children. His father was seldom around – certainly not sober – and had very little to do with Jeff or his siblings growing up. The pressures of bringing up an ever increasing family, while her husband spent his nights driving his taxi and drinking in the pub, took its toll on Jeff’s mother and she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and given three months to live. I was emotionally moved by the chapter and had to physically put the book down and compose myself once I’d finished it – Jeff’s account of this period in his life is incredibly moving and well told – to say I had a lump in my throat would be an understatement!

Published by Penguin “Pocketful” is available @ The Book Depository and Amazon

The Kid

Born in an era (1950′s) when Dyslexia went untreated and unrecognised, Jeff struggled to read and write throughout his childhood (and majority of his adult life) and had little or no help from his teachers or the education system. When he wrote A Pocketful of Holes and Dreams he was reading and writing to a standard equal to that of a seven year old – but one thing is clear from his story – he never let it get the better of him. Placed in the lowest teaching grade in school he was classed as “thick” but nothing could be further from the truth. Clearly a huge influence in his life, his mother took him under her wings and taught him the tricks of the trade – quite evident that her mental ability to come up with problem solving ideas was hereditary and helped forge the man he is today – that and her undying love.

Talking of his battle with Dyslexia, I would have liked to have seen more about his struggles. Jeff touches on how it affected him as a trainee aerial engineer, how reading a map was impossible and taking food orders as a gofer but I personally would have found it interesting how he began to overcome Dyslexia and how it still shapes him today.

The overwhelming feeling I took from this book was that of hope – Jeff Pearce never gave up. When most people would roll over and accept the hand they were dealt, Pearce fought back. Whatever his motivation, be it self preservation, the family or a desire to stick two fingers up at the bank, he never accepted defeat.

A truly inspiring tale of one man’s battle to overcome all obstacles thrown in his path. Jeff Pearce is a man I’d happily sit down and share a cup of tea and a ginger nut with any day of the week.

Published by Penguin “Pocketful” is available @ The Book Depository and Amazon