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Mike Cavanagh
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A Pocket Full of Days: Part 1 Kindle Edition

by Mike Cavanagh (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
When Mike begins a relationship with Jo, how could he guess that the next 25 years would be extraordinary? A pair of Hansel and Gretel misfits, their on and off relationship is a classic story of 'can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em'.As Mike copes with Jo's fight to overcome her own demons, she must deal with his undiagnosed high-functioning autism. This is a brutally honest account of how both light and darkness can shape our lives, and attempts to answer the question, 'Am I my brother/sister's keeper?'
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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 31, 2023
  4. File size
    2.3 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CH3RDL9P
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 31, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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Mike Cavanagh

Mike Cavanagh

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Mike Cavanagh is now in his sixties and has no idea how that happened. He lives with his wife, Julie, and two black cats in Bateman’s Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Three adult children, mostly left home, complete the extended menagerie. The house Mike and Julie live in is quirky and in need of regular maintenance, as are its owners. Mike writes poetry, plays guitar and composes music, is doing research on rock-wallabies, and spends far too much time playing computer role playing games. None of these very well, necessarily, but he does them. He thought he knew who he was until a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome in his sixties gave him pause to rethink who he thought he was, and how he got here. Having no real idea how to proceed from there, he wrote a memoir. It was not the memoir he thought he was going to write. So he wrote another one, as you do. Ex-cellent!

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
18 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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    5.0 out of 5 stars Real Narrative
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I find Mike's writing style clear and easy to follow. The cultural context is real and easy to empathize with. It's chock full of adventures and drama so it is so hard to put down. I am a voracious reader but not formally educated in dissecting literature so have to simply go with my gut feeling of loving it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Kept Me Wondering, "What next, Mike?"
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2018
    Mike's madcap adventures as a guitar-packing, pot-smoking, patchouli scented, barefoot hippie kept me laughing throughout this book. He's always making music whether it's in a band, with a group of friends, or off alone somewhere with his guitar. (Except for a short while, which I'll leave you to read for yourselves.)

    There were many things I could relate to, in particular injuries from accidents brought on by clumsiness, lack of attention, alcohol and/or drug induced stupor, or a mixture of the aforementioned. The way he writes about them, taking them all in stride made me chuckle. His perspective on autism resonated with me as well as dealing with the drug addiction of someone you love.

    Mike made many friends throughout his travels. As is normal, some have fallen by the wayside, but others remain. The value he places on these friendships shines through in his writing.

    Some bits are rough, but he prepares you for them in his preface and I appreciate his honesty as a writer in not glossing over these episodes.

    Oh, and his made-up words! I love them and admire such an extensive and creative vocabulary. I also like the way he chose to close the book. This book is for everyone who loves madcap adventure and honesty in writing. I look forward to reading Part Two.
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  • Vmp
    4.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, shocking but also funny and nostalgic
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2019
    I've just finished reading this first part of what I hope will be a two or maybe even three part memoir. I was lucky enough to win it in a draw so I will admit I had no idea what to expect. I found it quite riveting, but also shocking, funny, nostalgic, poignant and everything else that arouses emotions when I'm reading. It was also something of a rollercoaster ride.

    I have to say it is not a happy story, but conversely, I have the feeling Mike Cavanagh is essentially a cheerful soul who is inclined to be happy rather than miserable. A contradiction in many ways. The blurb explains that he has written his memoirs since discovering he has Asperges Syndrome and that these books are his way of making sense of how he felt he was different as a child and young man in 60s and 70s Australia.

    I know little about Asperges, but his behaviour seemed quite normal to me. Being of a similar age, I remember full well what the 70s were like. It seems to me that's how we all were then, especially when influenced by 'recreational' substances. The fact that he stood by Jo, his girlfriend, for so long while she tragically self destructed suggests an empathy beyond the call of friendship or love. In fact, hats off to Mike for his support and love in the face of such a challenge. But perhaps I'm missing something simply because I don't know enough about Asperges.

    Altogether, however, this was a riveting, evocative, and visual read. It could have been a film and maybe one day it will be. It deserves to be. Mike Cavanagh has a gift for description, especially of emotional conundrums, and his writing is often quite lyrical and very beautiful. That said, his exploration of his emotional and psychological responses to the situations in which he finds himself are surprisingly conversational and he draws the reader in as if he is chatting to them about his issues. All in all, I found this a deeply moving book with some powerful imagery and I shall look forward to reading the next one.
    NB: this is a shortened version of my original review on Goodreads.
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  • Beth Haslam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brutally honest, funny, embarrassing, this book has it all!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2018
    As an established fan of Mike Cavanagh’s writing, I was keen to read his second memoir. I wasn’t disappointed, far from it. A Pocket Full of Days: Part 1 is an absolute treat.

    In this book, the author takes us on a journey through his younger years as a hippie finding his own way through life. For him, it is as much a voyage of personal discovery as it is one about dealing with his relationships.

    The book is disarmingly honest, sometimes brutally so as Mike shares his experiences, especially those concerning his unconventional relationship. At times I was shocked, I also laughed, but throughout I was touched by the fundamental kindness he conveys.

    The author’s writing is occasionally complex and challenging, which I find particularly alluring when the reader is invited to join his world of personal musings. His descriptions are exquisite and vignettes, which include toe-curling disasters, played with my emotions. I winced with embarrassment at some and chuckled my head off at others.

    Mike Cavanagh’s journey is only part complete, and I’m already looking forward to learning what happens in Part 2. I loved this book.
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  • fabulouschrissie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, thoroughly enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2018
    This is the story of a young man trying to come to terms with his life and how he reacts to others. He has undiagnosed high spectrum autism, which explains his difficulties. Told with great humor, Mike is growing up in a freer time, back in Australia in the sixties. Much of the book revolves around his relationship with Jo, a girl with her own demons. Mike's quirky, humorous style makes you laugh one minute but feel deeply emotional the next. It's a love story, a finding yourself story, a hilarious look at a different era, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. I haven't read Mike's first book, One Of Its Legs Are Both The Same, but it didn't matter. But now I've read this book I'm definitely going to read it. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A roller coaster ride.
    Reviewed in Australia on August 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a roller coaster ride through the early part of Mike's life.
    It is funny, sad, tragic and heart-warming all in the one book.
    I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next edition.
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  • Beth Haslam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brutally honest, funny, embarrassing, this book has it all!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    As an established fan of Mike Cavanagh’s writing, I was keen to read his second memoir. I wasn’t disappointed, far from it. A Pocket Full of Days: Part 1 is an absolute treat.

    In this book, the author takes us on a journey through his younger years as a hippie finding his own way through life. For him, it is as much a voyage of personal discovery as it is one about dealing with his relationships.

    The book is disarmingly honest, sometimes brutally so as Mike shares his experiences, especially those concerning his unconventional relationship. At times I was shocked, I also laughed, but throughout I was touched by the fundamental kindness he conveys.

    The author’s writing is occasionally complex and challenging, which I find particularly alluring when the reader is invited to join his world of personal musings. His descriptions are exquisite and vignettes, which include toe-curling disasters, played with my emotions. I winced with embarrassment at some and chuckled my head off at others.

    Mike Cavanagh’s journey is only part complete, and I’m already looking forward to learning what happens in Part 2. I loved this book.
    Report
  • Brigid P. Gallagher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and Engaging
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Mike has a beautifully warm, and engaging writing style. In this his second memoir, he writes of his childhood and early adult adventures.
    There are many fun moments throughout the book that made me giggle, juxtaposed with poignant and harrowing events as he meets and falls in love with Jo.
    I could relate to his fondness for Patchouli and music, and his love of gardening and Nature. However, I am amazed he survived such perilous outback adventures and meetings with funnel web spiders.
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  • Trisha Hyde
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Pocket Full of Days Part 1
    Reviewed in Australia on August 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Once again Mike Cavanagh, gives us an insight into his youthful self. Mike’s world, viewed through ASD lenses, can be funny, perplexing, horrific and just plain disorientating. Well worth reading.
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