Books like Breakfast on Pluto by Patrick McCabe

Set against the politically tumultuous London of the 1970s, *Breakfast on Pluto* tells the story of Patrick “Pussy” Braden, a transvestite prostitute from rural Ireland who seeks love and a place to call home. Recounting his life in first person, Pussy reflects on his ties to the Irish border town of Tyreelin, his upbringing after being abandoned by his mother, and the trauma of being forced out by his foster mother for dressing in women’s clothing. As he ventures to London, he becomes entwined in the city’s underbelly, hustling in Piccadilly Circus and living under the patronage of a British politician—who is later killed by the IRA. Pussy’s journey is punctuated by encounters with the IRA, bombings, and the violent dynamics of London’s streets, while he remains hopeful and resilient in his quest for acceptance and affection, even as his identity and sanity are challenged.

First publish date: November 1, 1999