"A compelling new story from highly regarded author set in the summer of 1980 "
July 2024 Book of the Month
Lesley Parr is one of the most notable new voices in historical fiction and her new story sends readers back to 1980.
The Jam were providing a soundtrack to the summer and people across the UK and beyond were protesting against nuclear weapons. The outside world, in the shape of Paul Weller at least, has infiltrated Marcus’ conscious, the CND movement less so; his main preoccupation is navigating school and home life safely.
The former is even less happy than it was since he fell out with his best friend, Jezza, and home is difficult for many reasons. His family show him little if any love, and their reputation as career criminals ensures that his neighbours regard him too with suspicion and outright hostility, whether he’s done anything wrong or not. No wonder he tends to act up.
New friendships with two very different people change his view of himself. First there’s Mick, an old man with his very own nuclear bunker; then there’s Emma, Marcus’ age, newly arrived, ‘shouty and political’, a passionate member of the local peace group. A new understanding of himself brings Marcus’ differences with his family into focus, with violent results. The oppressive atmosphere of a small town and the life-limiting threats of both nuclear war and society’s expectations are balanced by a growing sense of freedom as Marcus starts to take decisions for himself.
Setting, characters and themes of resilience and self-determination are depicted with assurance and skill and this compelling story should win Lesley Parr even more readers.
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I loved this book, although it is different to what I had ever read before, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Great read.
The first word that sprang to my mind when thinking of this book is insightful. You may think insightful, why insightful? This book is written from Marcus Pritchard's perspective- being a Pritchard is not easy. His family is well known for the wrong reasons, however Marcus believes he isn’t like his the rest of his family. He wants to prove that just because you are a Pritchard doesn’t mean you are guilty of crimes. Although, Marcus still has to deal with hate and abuse from his brother and people from his town. You find out what it is like to be the one who everyone hates, the person everyone believes brings them misfortune. I like this book because it is from a different perspective to most books and it gives you an interesting new reality that you may not have experienced and read before.... Read Full Review
Really lovely book for anyone to read
I loved this book, I really liked the pictures on the new chapter pages, the story is really good and I liked it a lot because it shows that you can be your own person and be someone different, it showed a great friendship.
Can Marcus really make a better life than the one he’s is destined for? Can he stop himself going down the same route as his family? A well written, gripping book that will have you really feeling for Marcus, the main character.
A really good and gripping read that is always keeping you guessing.
Being brought up in a bad area and not from the best of families Marcus is thought to be a bad lad. He has a brother already in Bristol and it looks like he is heading the same way. But when a couple of people have belief in him he is left realising that doing good can be worthwhile.
Although there are challenges can Marcus really change his destiny and make something of his life?
Well written, easy to follow and really makes you feel for and engage with the main character. It shows us all not to judge without really trying to understand someone.... Read Full Review
