Learning to Think cover art

Learning to Think

A memoir about hardship, education, hellfire, family, finding a way to break free

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Learning to Think

By: Tracy King
Narrated by: Tracy King
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

When you have nothing, you cling to whatever gives you hope.

Put yourself in Tracy King's shoes. Growing up in an ordinary council estate outside Birmingham; a house filled with creativity, curiosity and love, but marked by her father's alcoholism and her mother's agoraphobia.

By the time she turns twelve her father has been killed, her sister taken into care and her mother ensnared by the promises of born-again Christianity.

This isn't the stuff of cult documentaries; this is the story of an ordinary family trapped in a broken system. It's a story that could happen to anyone without the tools to transform their circumstances. And it's the story of how Tracy found her way out.

A shocking, inspiring and ultimately hopeful memoir that holds up a mirror to the everyday realities of living in poverty, it is also a testament to the power of books and to learning to question our world.

©2024 Tracy King (P)2024 Penguin Audio Alternative & Complementary Medicine Child Psychology Developmental Psychology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Health Mental Health

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Critic reviews

King's memoir is heartbreaking and hopeful; a devastating true story that teaches us how the pursuit of knowledge can be a path to both freedom and breathtaking grace. (Tim Minchin)
A raw and unflinching account of growing up in poverty which tackles the false narratives we tell ourselves to survive. (Caroline Criado Perez)
A brilliant writer (Adam Kay)
All stars
Most relevant  
I have come across this story before but can’t recall how. What a truly interesting and inspiring person Tracy is, showing us there can be light after incredible darkness is only we can believe in ourselves and others

Superb

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Brilliantly read: powerful story which is simultaneously relatable and unrelatable. A book that changes your perspective in subtle ways. The power of money and critical thinking.

Powerful story that stays with you

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I brought this as a recommendation- I tend to listen while working and can finish books in 1-2 days - This one in particular had been staying up late to learn more , it was very emotive especially as I am a early 80’s baby so relatable to the time events were spoken about especially the no seatbelts!! - but also the truth from others perspectives and how one event can change the course of so many lives

What a journey

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Tracy tells, with empathy and deep understanding a heartbreaking- but also uplifting story- which you simply can’t put down.

Absolutely gripping

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I couldn't stop listening once I had started. such honesty about a very personal story.

Honest and thought provoking.

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Poignant and eye-opening tale of trauma and disadvantage let down by a very irritating delivery, in which the narrator's voice spikes randomly upwards in almost every sentence. I wished I'd bought a paper or Kindle version of the book instead.

Good book, very annoyingly narrated

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Echos of familiarity, human, yet extraordinary. Lessons in critical thinking and the authors ability to reflect and learn, whilst taking us on that journey too. Powerful stuff. A candle in the dark of our current avalanche of misinformation.

Critical thinking wrapped in a captivating ‘story.’

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What an incredible memoir, beautifully told and read by Tracy King. I've been in tears throughout for you and your family and will certainly take quite a few lessons learnt with me as I work in education and it's opened my eyes.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. If you ever finish the novel I'll certainly read it!

utterly compelling

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A moving testimony of the journey so many of us make from jumbled upbringing, trauma, joy & finding ourselves…&, of course, learning how to think critically!

The author’s ability to often be amusing, serious & open all at once.

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