06/08/2026
New Reader Review of Crackmask
This review came from Phil McNulty, editor of ‘The Fringe Poetry Magazine’, who purchased Crackmask directly from Eddie at a book sale in July 2026. Hence, no Amazon review screenshot...who purchased Crackmask directly from Eddie at a book sale in July 2026.
Hence, no Amazon review screenshot...
I received a powerful and deeply thoughtful review of Crackmask today, and I want to share it here. It’s one of those rare pieces of feedback where the reader has really taken the time to understand the book, the life behind it, and the people who shaped it.
I’ve thanked the reviewer privately, but I want to say here how much I appreciate the care he took in writing this. It’s honest, clear, and deeply considered. He understood the heart of the book and the message behind it, and I’m proud to share his words.
More reader reviews will be added as they come in.
Hence, no Amazon review screenshot...
I received a powerful and deeply thoughtful review of Crackmask today, and I want to share it here. It’s one of those rare pieces of feedback where the reader has really taken the time to understand the book, the life behind it, and the people who shaped it.
I’ve thanked the reviewer privately, but I want to say here how much I appreciate the care he took in writing this. It’s honest, clear, and deeply considered. He understood the heart of the book and the message behind it, and I’m proud to share his words.
More reader reviews will be added as they come in.
A new submission to the crackmask.com Contact Form.
Submitted Information:
Name
Phil McNulty
Email
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Country of origin
UK
Submitted Information:
Name
Phil McNulty
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Country of origin
UK
REVIEW
A remarkable memoir, tightly and professionally presented with one alarming bite-sized chapter following another. The book is not for the faint-hearted. The lows are exceptionally bad, and there are so many of them, but by sheer grit, graft, stubbornness and luck Eddie comes through decades of stupor, squalor and misadventure.
The book is grindingly honest and the parade of side characters- addicts, alcoholics, drifters and lost souls- are shockingly familiar to anyone who has worked the fairgrounds and cash-in-hand labouring.
The book reads as a true account, but the truths are raw and uncomfortable and much of the story does not elicit sympathy.
There are plenty of aphorisms and nuggets of home-spun wisdom which are of real value.
Obviously, Eddie makes it through and generates real value for others and for himself, but it is only towards the very end that he experiences a series of Damascene revelations which help to sort out his disordered life.
The central message of surviving a damaged childhood, avoiding self-blame, and of hope are so powerful that Crackmask deserves a place on Sociology and Social Work curricula.
And we must, must, look after all of our children.
A remarkable memoir, tightly and professionally presented with one alarming bite-sized chapter following another. The book is not for the faint-hearted. The lows are exceptionally bad, and there are so many of them, but by sheer grit, graft, stubbornness and luck Eddie comes through decades of stupor, squalor and misadventure.
The book is grindingly honest and the parade of side characters- addicts, alcoholics, drifters and lost souls- are shockingly familiar to anyone who has worked the fairgrounds and cash-in-hand labouring.
The book reads as a true account, but the truths are raw and uncomfortable and much of the story does not elicit sympathy.
There are plenty of aphorisms and nuggets of home-spun wisdom which are of real value.
Obviously, Eddie makes it through and generates real value for others and for himself, but it is only towards the very end that he experiences a series of Damascene revelations which help to sort out his disordered life.
The central message of surviving a damaged childhood, avoiding self-blame, and of hope are so powerful that Crackmask deserves a place on Sociology and Social Work curricula.
And we must, must, look after all of our children.
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