Martha’s first book, Ma, He Sold Me for a Few Cigarettes, was published in trade paperback in 2007 and reached No.1 on the bestseller lists. The mass market paperback edition is now available.
Born a bastard to a teenage mother in the slums of 1950s Dublin, Martha has to be a fighter from the very start. As her mother moves from man to man, and more children follow, they live hand-to-mouth in squalid, freezing tenements, clothed in rags and forced to beg for food. But just when it seems things can’t get any worse, her mother meets Jackser. Despite her trials, Martha is a child with an irrepressible spirit and a wit beyond her years. She tells the story of her early life without an ounce of self-pity and manages to recreate a lost era in which the shadow of the Catholic Church loomed large and if you didn’t work, you didn’t eat. Martha never stops believing she is worth more than the hand she has been dealt, and her remarkable voice will remain with you long after you’ve finished the last line.
You can purchase Martha’s books through www.mainstreampublishing.com
The sequel to Ma, He Sold Me For A Few Cigarettes, was first published in Trade Paperback in September 2008 and is now available in Paperback, priced £6.99.
We rejoin Martha aged thirteen, she is rescued by the courts from the clutches of her evil stepfather, Jackser, and her feckless mother, Sally. After numerous arrests for shoplifting, a judge rules that she is to be sent to a convent school with the instruction that she is to get an education.Her initial relief at escaping the abuse and neglect she suffered at home is, however, short-lived, as she soon realises that there are many forms of cruelty in this life. As she says, ‘You can have a full belly, but your heart can be very empty.’ Ostracised by the other children for being a ‘street kid’ and put to back-breaking work by the nuns, she leads a lonely existence, her only joy coming from the books she devours and her mischievous sense of humour.
Desperate for love and a little place where she feels she belongs, despite all that she has suffered Martha retains her compassion for others and still continues to hope for a brighter future when she will be free to make her own way in life.
This book is now available to buy and went straight into the Irish bestseller lists at No. 5
Martha is currently working on the third book in the series, details of which will follow shortly . . .
Hi
I have just finished reading “Ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes.
What a book, Martha childhood if it can be called that was horrific and it is unimaginable it was on 58 years ago in a so called civilized country.
Could not put the book down & read it in one day.
Looking forward to the sequel though from blurb it sounds like nothing much has changed.
Regards S.P.
Just finished ‘Ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes’. I couldnt put book down, what a shocking revelation of a poor girl so young and vunerable. Just wanted to take her in myself and care for her and look after poor Charlie too. I think alot of people can relate to some factors whether povety or domestic violence. The extent of the abuse that Martha received was horrific. I am absorbed and willing poor Martha on, Sept is a long time to wait to see how here journey continues.What a remarkable person !
I finished the book last night. I found it very difficult to put down. I hope her life is much better now than it was for her as a child. I will be going to easn’s tomorrow to see if they have her new book.
What an amazing story I was completely hooked. The courage and wit shown by Martha was outstanding – she had such maturity for one so young. There is so much praise and admiration for her I could go on and on. I was left wondering what happened between going off to boarding school and to writing the book, what happened to Jackser and Sally and all the other children – especially little Charlie? I am so pleased to hear there is a sequel on the way and I CANNOT wait! Write fast please Martha!
What a lady. How can anyone who suffered like Martha did, pull out such wit and comedy. She made me cry but she made me laugh out loud too. A truly amazing lady. I was devastated when I finished the book. Please write quickly Martha.
Have just finished reading this fantstic book i could not put it down and im so pleased that there is a sequel cant wait to read it.
This Book shows how far people can come after such difficult childhoods Marth Long is a inspiration to everybody and the way the book was written was both harrowing and comical. I have read many books on children growing up in terrible circumstances but have never been so touched by this ladies plight.
I am desperate to find out about the other children i hope they have
come through this like Martha has
my comments much the same as everyone elses, I only hope that the aul bastard died roaring – waiting to get the sceond book to find out.
I found the book very disturbing in that the lives of those poor children was so badly damaged by an insane power freak – allowed to put the fear of God into a woman and her children. What’s worse is there was very little intervention from anyone to help save these children.
Unfortunately such things are still happening to children across the world at the hands of their elders who they should be looking up to for guidance and comfort.
Anyway well done Mrs for getting through the hell and sharing your story with us. I hope through this book we will open our eyes whenever we see children (and adults) been mistreated.
what a book , i could not put it down one minute i was crying in floods of tears the next minute i was crying with laughter.What a brave women she is to open up and tell the world of her horrific child hood .
I can not wait to find out how the other children are and what Martha is doing now .Thank you Martha for sharing your story with us and cant wait for the next one .
just finished ma, he sold me…..
what a read! my heart went out to the young martha. i have a shop in the area she grew up in, and ubfortunately for some poor kids, life has not changed enormously.
can’t wait to read the sequel.. and find out how you came out of this terrible childhood.
all the very best
karen
Absolutely brilliant book altho it left you hanging right to the very end. I hope that Martha’s adult years have been alot better than her childhood ones altho from the blog of the next book, it seems that not much changed once she was released. Come on Sept and all the best to Martha and her family now!!
what a remarkable and strong women you are Martha
you are an inspiration to us all and I’m sure you have become
a wonderfull mother. I wish you all the luck in the world
and believe that your courage strength and beauty shine strong in
your book. I look forward to your next book please write quickly.
i couldn put the book down a young girlhad a horrific life but still she had the innocence at times to see the good in people id say she grew in to a fantastic wonderful person
Im not a big book reader.From the moment i started ma he sould me for a few cigarettes. i couldn`t put it down.I got straight on to this site to find out more.That barstard i hope he gets his just. In time im sure he did.Im hanging to find out what happened in the convent. And what became of poor Charlie.And how many more babbies did ya Ma have.What a strong person Martha, i would have never survived.So pleased about the next book coming out.There’s never a cure for what happened to you Martha but putting it down on paper sure helps to stay in recovery.thank you for opening my eyes.xxx
wat a story! you should be so proud of your self martina. the courge, strenght, you have . i am truley stuck for words all i can say wat a lady……. well done truley aremarkable women xxxxxxxx
whatever happened to charlie
Here in as far away as Australia we have enjoyed this book, I can’t wait for the 2nd one. It has made me appreciate my life even more, just the little things like fresh bread, and having clean sheets. I hope your life is full and enriched now Martha and you can enjoy how life was mean’t to be lived. How is Charlie?, I can’t stop thinking about him. I can’t believe your grandmother did nothing to help her grandchildren. It’s hard to believe but even today a lot of Aboriginal children are living that life. Mum and Dad are drunk and there is no food. Good on you Martha for being so strong and having the courage to write this book. I’ve already ordered the next one.
Just finished ur book, i couldnt leave it down,I even read it sitting on the loo! Fair play to little Martha, what a charachter, you made me laugh out loud. I only hope that big Martha has found the love she craved. I cant wait to read ur next book….maybe by then i’ll have stopped using this Dublin accent!!!
What can I say. A truly amazing, brutal, horrific story. What a courageous young lady, having to grow up way before her time and suffering what most of us can’t even begin to imagine. Martha I take my hat off to you. You made me cry, but I also have complete admiration for you. Well done for coming through it all. I hope your abusers, especially your mother, are paying for what they put you though
Thank you for sharing your life with us. For a person who got nothing you are still giving. I hate to say that I would have been one of those who would have looked the other way if I saw somone like you walking towards me. Your book has made it’s mark on me. You are such a courageous fighter and an inspiration to us all. I hope Charlie and yourself find some happiness and nothing gave me more hope than to see you dedicated your book to your children. My fingers are crossed for you and it goes without saying that I’m just waiting for your next book to hit the shelves.
What a book! I just couldn’t put it down. I hope that “bandy aul bastard got his just desserts and died roarin’” Looking forward to the sequel. Yer a wonderful person Martha.
what a truly brave little girl martha was, how she lived to tell the tale i will never know!!
i hope that jackser scumbag died roarin and alone and as for that sally she was no better, she must have known what he was doing to poor martha but she just turned a blind eye!! some mother!!!
cant wait for sept 4th wonder if we will find out if there was any other kids or what happened to poor charlie??
Dear Martha
One half of me wants to thank you for writing this book. The other half of me can’t imagine what you have endured in your life but, you have come through all the pain to be strong enough to pass your account of early life onto others. I am having a bit of an unsettled time in my life at present but, you are a true inspiration to carry on with steely determination and not give up. Your book shall remain in my thought for a long time and I will be honoured to read your future books. Thank you Martha!
Martha,
How I longed to care for you. I hope your life has been good to since those bad times. Like many of the other readers I could not put your book down and have now passed it on to my friend. I look forward to the sequel and I hope that you will continue to write until we know just what happened to you throughout your life. Please let us know what happened to Charlie and I do hope you were reunited with him. You were an amazing child, I don’t think I would have survived you childhood. Thanks for sharing this with us
wow what a book never knew I had so many emotions, Martha your a legend, can’t wait for new book ! love you x
i have also just finished the book im not a big book reader and thought how will i get through this book but i just had to keep reading i keep saying at the end of this chapter i will go to bed but it ended up being 3chapters later. i would love to get my hands on the next dook but as iaid im not a big reader so if anyone could let me no the name of the next book and where in new zealand i can get it that would be a big heop thanks.
i also dont think much has changed things like that are still like that for too many children
Dearest Martha, You poor sweet little girl. As a mummy of a little girl 7 and boy 5 my most beautiful pleasure is creating a great dinner doing homework with the knowing they love their school and grand and loving hugs and kisses. I look at my little girl and think of your dreadful plight and I simply wonderhow and why. I pray to God that you have the strenght to be alive and perhaps okay. Take strength in knowing mummys like I love you and would have cared for you. with love
Hi Martha,
I have just finished your book and I am dying to read your next book,the way you wrote about your siblings and how patient you were with them,made me realise that being the older daughter in the family is not always an easy task,but that the younger ones do appreciate what we do.I am the eldest girl in my family with two kids and two teenage siblings who drive me up the wall and I’m only 20!But your experience has made me feel so grateful and lucky,I am just thankful for you sharing your experience,I’ll never look at butter the same again!!!!!!!!!Thank you so much,and I hope and pray that your siblings are in good health just as you are,because I know in my heart you came out in the right side of the tunnel,publishing this book is evidence to that!SO THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, I borrowed this book off a friend, and need some closure on what happened to her brother and the other children, poor little buggars. Are the sequels available in Australia?
Good on you for having the courage to write this stuff down and share it.
just finished reading ma, im getting meself a new mammy,
i need the next fix of martha what a young women..
Hi martha, Ive have read your first book, “Ma he sold me for a few cigarettes”…Absolutely amazing you went through all that & survived, to tell us your story. Youv’e had to relive it all so you could share your life with us, absolutely remarkable. It left me wanting more as you knew once you got to the end there had to be more. Imagine my surprise when i was in a book store a week ago & came across your second book “Ma, I’m gettin meself a new mammy” i had to buy it. I have just finished reading it & again amazing, your book has again left me wanting more to see where your life goes. I truely cant wait to read your next book. Thankyou for sharing your strength, courage & life with us, You are truely insperational.
martha,
i just finished reading ma he sold me for a few cigarettes,and i went straight to the computer to look you up.i was glad to know that your next book is already on the book shelves and went into easons and got it.what can i say about your first book,i have lots of things i want to say, but im wasting time i want to get into your next one.it was sad it was scary, and times i have to say i found myself laugh,martha was is such a stronge lady.
iv already read five chapthers in ma im gettin meself a new mammy(dinner is burnt in oven)it will be hard to leave this down.im already thinking about your next book.it was nice knowing you through your hard, troublesome, terrible and god knows what other word can describe your childhood but thanks.
dee.
Thank you for sharing your life experience with us, its priceless, have just finished reading your second book, it was awesome….you are truly an inspiration to life by never giving up, your strong spirit… I had many a laugh with your thoughts in your head about the nuns and some of the girls there, your compassion you showed to the younger children and at last when you turned 16 and could open a new door to begin your adult world and leave behind all the hurt you felt…your determination to make something of yourself…it was truly amazing, an absolute must read, thank you once again…unforgettably perfect..
Your life has affected me so much and made me realize that my glass is full in life. You have also made me want to help others, especially our innocent children who are not as fortunate, not only with food, but with love. Their souls need to be fed. There was a reason for your story to be available to the public, you have touched me in such a way. I want to do what ever I can to prevent child abuse and neglect. Your story is for sure a mind opener for alot of people.
May god be with you and your wonderful family.
just finished reading Ma he sold……what a fantastic read,unbelievable andI love Martha what a strong little girl and even in her suffering manages to keep on going.this book made me cry,burn with anger at her treatment and laugh as well Martha …cant wait to see how you get on and find out how Charlie fared! Looking forward to the sequel pam x
I read the book last year when it first came out and like other people couldnt put the book down – absolutely brilliant but what a terrible life for poor Martha. Am now looking for forward to reading the next book ‘Ma Im getting myself a new Mammy’, – cant wait.
Just finished your second book, dived on to the computer and am excited that there is a third book yet to come. I don’t like the sound of the title, I was hopeing life would be kinder to you after all you have suffered. The first two books were a harrowing read but well worth it.I look at scruffy,unkept children with a different view now and will never turn a blind eye. I’m driving everyone made with my aussie irish accent and cursing every one who annoys me (under my breath !)Can’t wait for the next episode Dianne.
I have read the first 2 books, never have I read something so shocking. What you Martha endured in your childhood is incomprehensible. I am anxiously awaiting Ma, I’m in the madhouse, I just want to know what happened to the other bairns, especially poor Charlie and to know if life finally treated you kindly. I hope The Jackser fella is now somewhere suffering(God forgive me) as he made you suffer but then I suppose he wouldn’t think for one moment that he deserved anything bad. Your mother obviously needed some kind of help, as we are all aware in those days there was none. I just cannot believe that people could see how badly cared for you and your siblings were and something not done about it. Far to often a blind eye is turned. Martha, you have my admiration for your strength, your ability to keep a sense of humour(which, evoked a few giggles) and for your survival. God Bless you,hun, I hope the rest of your life is very, very happy. I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more. What an inspiration you are
I’ve never known a young girl to be taken advantage of by so many men and people her little life, it really did cut me to read and then there was times when I actually giggled.
As for that horrid Jacksir he should be hanged and quartered for what he did to those kids.
Hope I have the strength to go on in my life Go Girl Martha!
God be with you always
hi martha
have read your 2 books and found them absolutely amazing-ive cried,ive laughed and my heart went out to you as im a mother of 2 wonderful children myself.i truly hope your life is good now and admire you greatly …keep writing.x
Oh Martha
What a read.
I read Ma he sold me…and could not put it down.What a terrible childhood.
Although very sad ,at times you had me “in stitches”.
I live in Dublin and could follow you footsteps through the city.
I have since read the 2nd book and it too was remarkable.
Cant wait for the 3rd one and as many that come aftr that.
It would be nice to hear how the rest of the family got through life.
You seem to have found some happiness now and you truly deserve it.
Take Care and keep writing
I’m going overseas in a few days and I bought ‘Ma, I’m gettin meself a new mammy’ several days ago to read on the plane but I haven’t started reading it yet because I would finish it before I even left, I just found this sight and found out that ‘Ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes’ is actually the first one. Now I’m gonna have to go out and buy it before I go. It’s very difficult not to start reading it now though. They look really good, but I feel sorry for Martha.
your bravery at getting through such a terrible start in life and writing about it really touched me i hope your life is much better now kia kaha
I am just finished Marthas’ second book and its amazing but horrific at the same time. Martha you are an inspiration to us all. You put up with the worst things life could throw at anyone and yet you seem to hold your head up high and get on with things. Your life in the convent was something that none of us could ever deal with and would not happen in Society in this day and age. I am dying to read the third book and am so looking forward to finding out how things panned out in your life. I hope for the love of God that Charlie and the rest of your brothers and sisters managed to survive life with your mother and Jackser (may he rot in hell). For Martha, I do hope that you have had a happy life and there is light at the end of the tunnel. A pure inspiration.
Hi Martha,
Congratulations on writing such an inspirational book. So very welI done Martha.
I remember you from Finglas (I now live in Australia). What an era! So much pain and damage transferred from generations to generation.
Healing provides the only hope for future generations and i believe your book Martha will assist in the healing of untold thousands.
Lots of love peace and joy.
Read ‘Ma, He Sold me For A Few Cigarettes’a few months back…finished it in 2 days…brilliant book. Can’t wait to read the sequel.
I have just finished reading “Ma, I’m getting meself Ha new mammy” Oh my god, Martha Long you are an inspiration to everyone, you are so brave, strong and positive. Reading your Your two books have been so gripping, I could not put your books down. I would love to throw my arms around you and hold you so tight and tell you how much I love you.
I truly wish you every happeniess in life that you deserve, I hope life has been kinder to you now than it had been in your childhood.
I can’t wait for your next book to come out.
I would to see a picture of you now and no how your life is now.
You will stay in my heart and thoughts forever more. Like everyone else I can’t wait for you to put pen to paper for the last part of your book, I hope life is treating you more kindly. you deserve alot of love, my heart and love goes out to you dearest Martha.
I have just finished your first book but now I am hanging. What happens next? I can’t stop thinking about Charlie. Your book has made me appreciate everything that I have and I truly admire your courage. Thanks for the honest and often shocking accounts of your life. Keep writing! and please tell us what happened to Charlie. I am off to find your second book!
Fiona
Hi Martha,well wat can i say!i just finished yuor book last night it broke my heart to hear what you went through.
During the book i was putting it down and calling my daughter who is 7 and giving her a big hug.
I wanted to meet you and give you a big hug too and tell you everything is going to be ok.
Im looking forward to reading your new books.
Congrautlations you done what you always siad you would do.BE REPECTIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy New Year to you and your family.
love clare xxxxxxxxxx
Ma, He Sold Me for a Few Cigarettes is a poignant and painful trip down memory lane for Martha, who spent her childhood years in squalid living conditions and extreme poverty, she also introduces Jackser, her stepfather to her story and gives detailled and shocking accounts of the abuse she suffered.
This is a very interesting book which somnetimes shocks. I learnt a lot about what it was like in 1950’s Dublin. I myself have and will continue to make trips to Ireland.
loved your books cannot wait for your next one
martha your one god woman to have surived .i couldnt put the book down im not sure if i want to read the next one. the first was very upsetting. i hope that evil bastard died roaring
Brillant book i couldnt put it down. I grew up in the fifties but this book certainly opened my eyes. I knew there was poverty, but am shocked at the extent and the horrific life martha had. Really funny though and bought the next one, cant wait for a follow up.
just finished marthas second book.
a brillent read. she had such a horiffic childhood. its hard to imagine.
does anyone know if she is writing a third book? and if so when will it be out?
Well Martha, as a native as inner city Dublin, I recognised a lot of the places you lived your poor life in the first book, I still to this day pass these places and think of you (nothing much has changed) there are still kids like you scurrying around hungary and waiting for the da to come outta the pub or the dole office
Your next book was just as hard hitting except to you the torture of the convent was like a little cushion to you after the horrible cold and hungary childhood you had, yet in your childhood you had a certain amount of physical love from Charlie and your mother hugs etc but in the convent there was nothing, I think you would have traded your hot dinner for a cuddle. Looking forward to your next and next and next book.
Hi
I have just finished Martha’s second book it is just if not more amazing than her first book She is so gifted. I hope here writing doesn’t stop here. I really looking forward hopefully reading more of here books. Please don’t stop now
Best Wishes
Carmel O’Reardon
Hi Martha
I have read the first two books .I think your a remarkable woman .How you had to re live your life and put pen to paper and share your unbelivable childhood teenage years .I have prayed that god is good to you now and your family .I hope your third book is out soon .May god bless you always .xx
Fair play to you Martha Long, you are some woman. No one should have to go through in their whole life what you went through in your childhood. I am just in the middle of reading your second book and hoping that the bandy oul bastard gets what he deserves by the end of it. Please keep up the writing as you have a talent that thankfully they did not suppress. I hope many good fortunes come your way in the future and you live a peaceful,healthy,happy and long life.
What a story How you ever survived is beyond me. Whatever happened to Charlie. Did you ever meet up with him or the other children again. Good Luck.
I have read both books… id only be repeating everyone else on here if i was to type up a review… The end of the second book left me unsure… is there going to be a 3rd????
just finished martha long 1st book and i couldnt put it down. have read many books of this genre but this one stood in my head all day and night, i was straight on the net to see if there was a second book i have to know if jackster died roarin a horrible death! i truly appreciate the fantastic upbringing i had and felt so sad reading the book.
Eeh, me poor little bairn. Where were all the real “do gooders” when you & Charlie really needed them. When I finished the book (which my friend loaned to me) I thought, thats it then, my friend said there has to be a follow up, thank God there is. I cant begin to imagine the suffering you went through Martha and then to be so brave to write about it, it must have felt like a cleansing for you (and hopefully some way of healing), I am not daft I know awful things happen in this world, but when you write so graphically and the reader feels like they know you and want to help you, we feel so useless. I cant believe there really is a Mother like yours on this earth, is she still alive? An as other people have commented has Jackser died roarin? I hope you have found love, peace,health & happiness in your life now Martha. God Bless you and I thank you with all my heart. (I was born in Sunderland UK 1959 and moved to Aussie in 1974, am going back for my early 50th birthday and actually get to visit ireland, I cant wait to walk down the streets you write about)
Kind regards
Angela Woods (Waller)
21 Kanowna Rd, Warnervale, NSW 2259, Aust
0424247950
0243936259 ah
0243653300 bh
Dear Martha,
I haven’t quiet finished “Ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes” but your story has moved me to tears. I hope you children are making up for all the love and care you were deprived of in your childhood.As a mother I can’t believe your mother didn’t protect you from the abuse you had to suffer.There is real evil in this world, unfortunately there are millions of vulnerable children suffering neglect and abuse today. I realise and appreciate the privelaged life I had growing up in Ireland only a decade later and I hope to teach my children to give to the less fortunate. My daughter looks at me funny when I call her Mrs. All the best and congratulations on the success of your books. Going out to the shops now to buy the second book.
i have just finished martha’s second book..’ma,i’m getting myself a new mammy’ another amazing read…even through all martha’s awful childhood she still kept her sense of humour.i found myself crying one minute and laughing the next…i cant wait for her third book..anyone know when its due to be published…??? you are an inspiration martha xx
OMG WHAT A BOOK. JUST FINISHED READING “MA HE SOLD ME FOR A FEW CIGARETTES”. WHEN I STARTED TO READ IT THE BED WAS ROCKING FROM LAUGHTER. I THOUGHT IT WAS A COMEDY. BUT VERY SOON IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS WAS NO COMEDY. I MUST SAY THERE WERE TIMES THAT I FELT WOULD HAVE TO STOP READING AS IT WAS TOO DEPRESSING TO READ. I HAVE READ MOST OF THE BOOKS WRITTEN BY ABUSED CHILDREN BUT THIS WAS RELENTLESS IN ITS ABUSE. I FELT WORSE ABOUT THE MOTHER “SALLY” THAN I DID ABOUT “JACKSER”. HE WAS ONLY AN “EVIL IGNORAMOUS” BUT HER, HOW COULD SHE HAVE ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN TO WHAT I CAN ONLY CALL DESCRIBE AS A “FANTASTIC CHILD”. I KEPT READING IN THE HOPE THAT HER LOT HAD IMPROVED AND CRIED IN THE END WHEN IT HAD NOT. I JUST GOOGLED AND DISCOVERED SHE HAS A CONTINUATION THANKS BE TO GOD. HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL IMPROVE FOR HER IN THAT.I WAS ALSO SICK WITH WORRY ABOUT CHARLIE AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO HIM FOR THE NEXT FOUR AND A HALF YEARS.
i know i am just about to sound like everyone else writing reviews of your amazing story but i felt compelled to write here. I started reading your book and immediatly was dragged into ireland and felt as though i was living the terrible life with you. I often read these types of stories but this is the first story like this i have read since becoming a mother about six months ago. i was moved to tears at the thought of a mother doing these terrible things to her own children and the life you went through. I fell in love with charlie and when you escaped from jackser and went to england in the first book i had to skip so many pages until you came back to dublin because i couldn’t concentrate on anything except how poor charlie and the other children were coping with life without you. I couldn’t believe it when i got to the end of the story this morning and still didn’t find out how everyone survived and what happened. I got straight on to the internet to try and find out if there was another book and dragged my poor baby out to try and find it! i’m so far not succesful at getting my hands on it but i am desperate so i will order a copy on line.
Like others, I just finished reading ‘Ma he sold me for a few cigarettes’. I’m only 14, and I was horrified and inspired by the book. I though ‘God this is such a terrible book’ not because it was bad or anything but of all the things she went through, but still I HAD to finish it. It is truly amazing. I agree with everybody, she was a very funny little girl who has massive courage. It’s funny I didn’t cry too much but I really had a lot of empathy for Martha. I really felt sad in those tiny moments where she left ‘Flo’ and later ‘James’ because they were really kind people. It’s just so amazing, it’s felt like anything could happen to her at any moment, but the fact that she stayed strong and grew up and shared all her childhood with us is AMAZING. It really puts me in awe. I can’t wait to read the second ‘Ma, I’m gettin meself a new mammy”. and I was wondering if there was a third book or the second was renamed or something. I heard of “Ma, I’m locked up in the Mad house” and I wasn’t sure.
I also just wanted to say how much I grew to really love Martha’s character. I just wanted to hug her and tell her everything was okay, that I would be like family to her. No one should be treated like that, NO ONE. And to think this goes on everyday, Martha is truly inspirational. And I cried when they came back and Charlie was so sad. I was just bawling all through it, It must have been so hard for her tho write this book.
i loved both the books and would really love to know what happened next, with martha and her brothers and sisters and i hope her ma and that bastard get whats coming to them, i just can not stop thinking about it all and would love to have the story continue, you are a great story teller and i hope everything worked out for you in life, your book has made me look at people differently and i am now more open and loving to people i don’t even know, thanks you very much for this experience
sonyia
Martha your a hero iam in love with your strength and wisdom, there’s a reason these terrible things happened to u and I hope one day you’ll know why and find peace. God knows you were strong enough to endure this life he gave you, you are a very special person. Lots of luv to youxxx
I have read both books and am absolutely hooked. Most definately the best read i have ever had. After reading “Ma he sold me for a few cigarettes”, i was in my bookstore and by accident found “Ma, I’m gettin Meself a new mammy” and yelled with joy at my find, much to other shoppers amusement! I can not wait for the 3rd book to be released. What an amazing and tragic life to have lived. I hope the next book informs us of what happened to all the other siblings. I laughed and cried through out both books. Martha you are inspiring and i hope there are many more books to come. xxx
I have just finished ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes and I was shocked at the way she was treated by Jackser and her mother. I was in tears with sadness and laughter. She is an inspiration to all women and I wish her the very best. She deserves all the happiness in the world xxxxxxxxx
Your story was told for every good women in this world! Stay Warm & Thank You ♥ x x x ♥
OH MARTHA,MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU.IF ONLY I COULD BRING YOU TO MY WARM HOME AND GIVE YOU A BIG PLATE OF SAMBIDGES.I HOPE YOU HAVE THE HAPPY AND FULLFILLING LIFE YOU SO DESERVE.I HAVE JUST ORDERED YOUR SECOND BOOK AND ARE HOPING FOR THE ENDING THAT I WISH FOR YOU.XXXXXXXXXXX.
I have just discovered that the third book is out – released 1/09/09. Now to get one.
I hope we can all now rejoice for a happy ending for you and your mother and siblings.
Marjanna – Australia
Martha…. Martha……Martha….
I cant believe you have left me in this predicament AGAIN!!! I have just finished reading your third book about an hour ago, I stormed my way through it, speakin way the irish twang in me head, lol!!
Now heres a question fer ye…Whens the 4th book out??? Im serious, I wont lay you to rest until I complete the story….I swear te jaysus!! If I have to wait until next September I will go mad, I mean it, the hair on my head will be pulled out!! It near kilt me waiting fer this un!!
You had it tough in this book (I wont be spoiling it for anyone). But I want to know more…..
Please find a way to write back, even if its not personally, even with just regular updates, it would be great!!!!
Again a remarkable woman and Im wishing you all the best.
Martha
i live in Australia and have just finished reading ‘Ma he sold me for a few cigarettes’. what a horrific childhood you had and poor Charlie. im asuming that is you on the cover. my heart dropped and i cried like anything when you had to be taken back to Dublin by the authorities. i will find out how i can get a hold of the sequel to your book, i cant stop thinking of what happens to you and Charlie. How does your mother sleep at night? I was hoping i was going to read a chapter on how Jackser suffers and dies but that never happened. YOU ARE somebody Martha because you are the most courages girl. i take my hat off to you Martha. I look forward to reading the next book. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
sorry i forgot to tick the box
hello martha,i have just finished reading your third book i am totally enthrawled by you, i so want to meet you one day and hope to do so.you do remind me of me and my upbringing such a sad time with a few good times thrown in.Not to worry i now have five beautifull children and seven adorable grandchildren so i have been blessed.I hope you are doing grand and look forward to you next book. It would be a honour to call you my friend as thats what you have become to me through your books and by the coments i have read about you i know i am not alone there you are a true kindred spirit. love karan
Hi Martha
I’ve just finished your third book. I’ve been waiting months for the release. I couldn’t put it down,(as with the first two).
I want to thankyou for sharing your life with us, I only hope you don’t find it too painfull reliving your childhood.
Reading your books reminds me of just how lucky I am to have the memories of my childhood that i do.
I can’t wait for the fourth book. Although, I know the young and strong and determined Marth Long from the book, will definately come out on top.
Jodie
Hi Martha
I have just finished you’r third book I never make time to read as life is full on but after reading the first one I was hooked you are an amazing woman, I grew up in Dublin in the 60’s and now live in Australia,I could relate to a few things but you had it hard.good on ya,can’ wait for number 4.
Ann
Dear Martha,
Ah, the Irish a your deft hand with the pen and amazing story telling spirit. I throughly enjoyed reading your first book at a cracking pace. Nothing has been done, everything has stopped in my home. Thankyou for sharing your exceedingly challenging life with us. Your journey against adversity is admirable. One cannot imagine that young ones could be so badly treated.
I am looking forwarded to your next two books, to read and hope that all your desires come to fruition.
It is coming into summer in Australia, I can see myself with a plate a sambidges and a sup o tea pouring over your stories til me eyes drop.
Jenni
MARTHA I HAVE JUST FINISHED YOUR FOURTH BOOK I COULD NOT STOP READING IT FROM THE TIME I PICKED IT UP HOW PEOPLE CAN TREAT OTHER PEOPLE AS YOU WERE TREATED WORDS DEFY ME I HOPE THAT AUL BASTARD GETS IT IN HIS LIFE TIME I CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT INSTALMENT JUST SO I CAN SEE YOU GET SOME HAPPINESS IN YOUR LIFE TIME
I have just started your second book. I was born & reared in the late 50’s in Dunlaoghaire not a million miles from where you were reared I can’t believe the difference in our lives. I laughted & cryed reading Ma he sold me etc what a dreadful extistence. Like everyone else I would love to know what happened to Charlie after you were sent away. I would love to think that you now both enjoy a much better life.
Marian
Hi Martha,
Just fininshed your second book! Will there be another one? Can i just say that even though you had a horrible childhood like most children back then. In the second book near the end you can feel the confidence come out of you. And for a child to have gone through what you have been put through gives me a great honour to have read your book. I wish you well and thanks for letting me hear your story. As i will always remember you! I hope you find peace with your mother!
Jo..
Dear Martha,
I don’t know how you survived, you are one hell of a woman. An inspiration to us all who think we have it hard. I have just finished reading “Ma it’s a cold aul night an I’m looking in for a bed”, I can’t wait for the 4th book. So please hurry.
best wishes
Cheryl (Australia)