Review
'riotously funny, blacker-than-boot-polish vignettes'. 'Both funny and poignant, 'Going Over' works like a giant black hole. It pulls out lives into those of Frank's characters, speaking familiar hopes, dreams and fears.' '...from a wicked satire on showbusiness and the press to a rollicking family drama.' 'wonderfully crafted...redolent of an early Tom Stoppard.' --The Camden New Journal
Product Description
Three novellas of which the first, 'Going Over' won the 'New Writer Magazine' National Novella Competition. A man walks over the mountains in the north of England in search of his estranged father; and seeks to come to terms with the shocking fate of his mother. The second story 'The Tarnished Muse' is a satire on showbusiness and the press. An ambitious woman journalist interviews The Grand Old Man of the Theatre - but her scoop does not bring the acclaim she expected. In the third story, 'The Night Everything Happened' a young man mistakenly leaves a highly suggestive message on his grandmother's answerphone. When he burgles her flat to wipe it the results are unexpected and alarming.
About the Author
Alan Franks is a well established feature writer for The Times; he is also a novelist, lyricist, poet and playwright. His previous novel, 'Borchester's Bugle' drew ecstatic reviews, 'splendidly funny'; 'sharply satirical'; 'a very odd, brave novel'. With the singer Patty Vetta he has released four albums of songs including 'The Wishfulness Waltz' recorded by Fairport Convention. A volume of his poetry 'Unmade Road' will be published by The Muswell Press in October 2010.
