GYPSY PRINCESS

Violet Cannon

Gypsy Princess

The True Story of a Romany Childhood

UK & Commonwealth rights: Headline

All other rights available

The Sunday Times Bestselling story of life behind closed doors in a Romany community.

"A fascinating and enjoyable insight into gypsy life" - Closer Magazine

"A poignant, honest read and a far cry from the tantrums and tiaras we witness on television" - The Sun

"A fascinating insight into Gypsy culture and community" - Take a Break

A true blooded Gypsy, Violet Cannon grew up the Romany way.  Life was tough at times, living in a cramped one-roomed trailer, but, unbound by strict routines, Violet spent her days learning to keep home, playing and roaming the fields with a sense of freedom long lost to the rest of modern society.

Immersed in the Gypsy way of life, Violet's childhood set her apart from other children.  Bullied by classmates and segregated from 'gorga' kids (all non-gypsies), Violet eventually left school at the age of nine to live a life of travel, play and learning under generations old Gypsy rules on the fringes of society.

With traditional values at the heart of her childhood, the pressure of conforming and marrying young was intense.  Violet was duty bound to find a husband, but would her marriage lead to the 'happy ever after' she grew up believing in as a Gypsy girl?

Gypsy Princess is a searingly honest account of what life is really like for travelling communities, for girls in particular, and captures a way of life that is slowly fading away.

Violet Margaret Princess Cannon was born and bred in Bradford, West Yorkshire and raised in the traditional Romany way.  At thirty-one, and in contrast to the media's portrayal of Gypsies and their culture, Violet has an education, a job and a divorce to her name.  She has spent the last eight years working with Gypsies and Travellers, fighting to gain the community recognition as an ethnic minority in its own right.  Violet is the founding member of the Northern Network of Travelling People and the Chairperson of the Romany Women's Union.