Tales From the Back Green

Bill Paterson

Aug 2008 · Hodder & Stoughton · Narrated by Bill Paterson

About this audiobook

Here is a classic memoir of childhood that will strike a chord with anyone who's ever played and dreamed, with little thought of life "when I grow up".


The much loved Scots actor Bill Paterson was brought up in those halcyon days of post-war Britain when a child could still play happily - and safely - in his own back green and the streets beyond. Now, in Tales from the Back Green, he evokes his boyhood and youth in Glasgow's East End during the 1950s, which was full of intriguing characters and extraordinary events.


Always eager to push the boundaries of what they were allowed to do, Bill and his mates construct a giant dust "atomic" bomb, try to hold their own World Cup tournament, and play endlessly on wasteland that's now unrecognizable compared with the exciting jungle of his childhood.



Tales from the Back Green is a brilliant realisation of a time and a place, read by the author.


This abridged version of Tales from the Back Green was added prior to CD and Digital download, therefore chapter 11 is not included.

(P)2008 Catherine Bailey Ltd./Bona Broadcasting Ltd.

About the author

Bill Paterson was born in Glasgow. His theatre career includes being a founder member of 7:84 Theatre Company with the landmark production of The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil. Film and Television work includes Wives and Daughters, The Crow Road, The Witches, Truly Madly Deeply, Traffik, The Singing Detective, Aufweidersehn Pet, Comfort and Joy and The Killing Fields. He is a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.