Handstands In The Dark: A True Story of Growing Up and Survival

Janey Godley's life was far from ordinary; born in Glasgow's East End and married into a notorious criminal family. She witnessed an extraordinary underworld, sectarianism, poverty, and a frightening family of in-laws. Her indomitable spirit and sense of humor kept her alive. Handstands in the Dark is a vivid, intimate, and darkly funny account of her escape and rise to fame as one of the UK's most popular comedic talents.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2021
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

Born in the tough East End of Glasgow and married into one of the city's most notorious criminal families, Janey Godley's young life was far from ordinary. From the grim and far-from-swinging 1960s to the discos of the 1970s, to the tidal wave of heroin addiction that engulfed Glasgow's East End during the 1980s, Janey was witness to an extraordinary underworld – as well as religious sectarianism, abject poverty, and a frightening family of in-laws. Throughout it all, her indomitable spirit and her vivid sense of humor kept her alive.

A vivid, intimate, and darkly funny account of a life less ordinary, Handstands in the Dark tells the story of how one girl escaped a chaotic family and became one of the UK's most popular comedic talents.

Growing up in a working-class family in Glasgow, Janey was surrounded by poverty, violence, and drug abuse. Her parents were alcoholics, and her brother was a heroin addict. Despite these difficult circumstances, Janey managed to stay positive and focused on her education. She excelled in school and eventually earned a scholarship to study law at the University of Glasgow.

However, Janey's life took a turn when she met her future husband, John Godley. John was a member of one of Glasgow's most notorious criminal families, and Janey soon found herself caught up in his world of crime. She began working as a drug mule for the Godley family, transporting heroin from Scotland to England.

Despite the dangers and risks involved, Janey loved her husband and believed in his cause. She saw the Godleys as a family, and they treated her like one of their own. However, as time went on, Janey began to realize that the Godley family was not as loving and supportive as she had thought. They were involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and murder.

Janey's life became increasingly dangerous, and she found herself in constant danger of being caught by the police. She knew that if she was caught, she would face serious consequences, including prison time and a lifelong stigma. However, Janey was determined to escape the Godley family and make a better life for herself.

One day, Janey decided to leave the Godley family and start a new life. She packed her bags and left Glasgow, moving to London to pursue her dream of becoming a comedian. It was a difficult transition, and Janey faced many challenges along the way. She struggled to find work and faced discrimination from many people who did not understand her background.

However, Janey's determination and her sense of humor helped her to overcome these obstacles. She began performing at open mic nights and small comedy clubs, and soon gained a following. Her unique style of humor, which combined dark humor with social commentary, resonated with audiences, and she quickly became one of the UK's most popular comedic talents.

Handstands in the Dark is a vivid and intimate account of Janey Godley's life. It tells the story of how she escaped a chaotic family and became one of the UK's most popular comedic talents. The book is filled with humor, tragedy, and hope, and it provides a unique insight into the world of crime and the resilience of the human spirit
spirit.

In conclusion, Handstands in the Dark is a must-read for anyone who loves comedy, crime, or true stories of resilience and determination. Janey Godley's life is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and her story will inspire and entertain readers for years to come.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 198 x 176 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529106862