Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Gary Trew
A proud Brit by birth, Canadian by choice, and a storyteller by sheer accident.
My memoirs aren’t easy reads — and they’re not meant to be. I write about surviving childhood trauma, bullying, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, and the long road to healing. But I also write with dark humour, sharp honesty, and the belief that even in the worst moments, there’s a way through.
Set in 1970s Hove, England, and told with raw, unfiltered truth, these stories follow my journey from broken boy to social worker helping others survive. If you’ve ever wondered how someone turns pain into purpose — these pages might speak to you.
My writing inspiration comes from overcoming dyslexia and brain trauma caused by teenage meningitis—the gift that kept on giving. Although I am still rather sucky at calculus, I tend to use my right brain a hell of a lot more. The after-effects of the yummy disease enabled me to suddenly kick a football with both feet - something that I struggled to do before. Then, I discovered I could bat right or left-handed at cricket, baseball, and table tennis/ping pong—Whoop-de-doo. The biggest blessing was my sudden love of Indian, Thai, and Malaysian food. Weird, right?
Moreover, since the "blessing" of the brain bug (explained in the memoir), I think outside the box, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Go figure. I’m genuinely amazed I’ve collected a couple of degrees. My varied careers have given me a wealth of human-interest stories, so I can’t complain.
I have constantly been told to write a book, as I have led a very colourful life. The Hate Game is my debut book and was released in August 2024. The prequel, I Think I Killed My Dad, is due for release in August 2025.
I am happily married to Shelley, the nicest person on the planet, apart from my four crazy assed daughters. I’m an avid Brighton & Hove Albion supporter but confess to supporting West Ham United and Brighton during the "Doody" years mentioned in the memoir.
Now having dual citizenship, I love hockey and adore the Vancouver Canucks (and have a soft spot for Colorado Avalanche). I live on beautiful Vancouver Island, but I try to escape to the sun as soon as the white stuff starts-a-falling.
Released August, 2024
“I had been marooned in this ugly, ruthless, harsh, and emotional wilderness, armed only with a dry sense of humour and eternal hope that things would get better.”
Set against the backdrop of the ’60s and ’70s, Gary’s school experience unfolded like a collision between Tom Brown’s Schooldays and The Inbetweeners. He faces violence, bullying, abuse, and brutal initiation rituals. The Hate Game captivates and shocks with its powerful, humorous, and hopeful narrative.
The Hate Game is a bizarre coming-of-age story that could easily be mistaken for fiction.
Editorial Reviews
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“Gary's voice is raw, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny, even in the face of unspeakable cruelty. 'The Hate Game' is a masterclass in narrative storytelling, balancing darkness with light and hope.”
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“The Hate Game is not for the faint-hearted.”
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“His masterful balance of comedy and heartbreak kept me engaged to the last page.”
