- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Sceptre (2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340840358
- ISBN-13: 978-0340840351
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13.6 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 634,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Johnny Come Home
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Product Description
Synopsis
It is London and the year 1972. A charismatic anarchist called O'Connell dies of an overdose, leaving his artist boyfriend, Pearson, and fellow activist Nina in shock. It also leaves a spare room in their squat. So Pearson moves in Sweet Thing, a streetwise yet vulnerable young rent boy he initially picks up but then tries to help. Pearson isn't the only one who's interested though - glam rock star Johnny Chrome is on the brink of a breakdown and is convinced that Sweet Thing is the only one who can bring him back. As Sweet Thing gets drawn further into Johnny Chrome's dangerous orbit, Pearson and Nina discover that O'Connell was not all he seemed. In this tautly paced, highly evocative novel Jake Arnott once again combines brilliant storytelling with a flawless portrait of a changing era, when the optimism of the 60s was giving way to the anger and bombs of the early 70s.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a fan of his last 3 books, I think that perhaps I was looking forward to this one too much. The prospect of 70's pop culture and the obvious Bowie references seemed to promise much. Unfortunately I was rather disappointed.
The juxtaposition of 70's pop culture and "urban terrorism- political activism " just didn't work for me at all. Some of the 70's bits worked well, spotting the Bowie-Ziggy stuff was a treat, as was splitting of glam rock into 2 parts the Good- Bolan and Bowie- and the Bad and The Ugly - Glitter and The Sweet et-al.
The novel for me lacked a central character; it was an ensemble piece of disparate individuals linked by the various threads.
The question I ask myself is did I look forward to it too much, or is it his weakest novel to date?
The juxtaposition of 70's pop culture and "urban terrorism- political activism " just didn't work for me at all. Some of the 70's bits worked well, spotting the Bowie-Ziggy stuff was a treat, as was splitting of glam rock into 2 parts the Good- Bolan and Bowie- and the Bad and The Ugly - Glitter and The Sweet et-al.
The novel for me lacked a central character; it was an ensemble piece of disparate individuals linked by the various threads.
The question I ask myself is did I look forward to it too much, or is it his weakest novel to date?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A tale of the ceaseless search for identity set against the backcloth of the glam rock era of the early 1970s. The private, the public and the political clash as a rent boy and a group of squatters and political activists attempt to deal with an unwelcoming world of uncertainty, change and exploitation. Ultimately, each one of them comes to question his/her own value system.
In common with other books seeking to evoke recently bygone times (I had the same problem with Alan Hollinghurst's "Line of Beauty"), the period detail sometimes seems a little contrived and obvious, but that does not detract from tbe very atmospheric feel of the book.
In common with other books seeking to evoke recently bygone times (I had the same problem with Alan Hollinghurst's "Line of Beauty"), the period detail sometimes seems a little contrived and obvious, but that does not detract from tbe very atmospheric feel of the book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In the grim London of the early '70s, two disparate threads of the era - post-hippy revolutionary politics and glam rock - meet. Arnott's meditations on modern history are, as always, fascinating and original - for instance, the link he makes between glam rock and science fiction TV shows of the 1950's was a completely new idea to me, as was his Situationist interpretation of the work of Gary Glitter(!)
However, as other reviewers have pointed out, it's less satisfying when seen as a piece of storytelling - a brisk read which finishes rather abruptly.
However, as other reviewers have pointed out, it's less satisfying when seen as a piece of storytelling - a brisk read which finishes rather abruptly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A big let down
Definitely his weakest book to date. Book tugs a few nostalgia strings (which as usual he does well) however against an interesting backdrop he has written a poor story. Read more
Published 5 months ago by joniboy
70s Sex and Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll (with bit of politics)
Picked this up as it was cheap and I have the Long Firm trilogy sitting on the shelf and wanted to try a little bit of Jake Arnott first. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lendrick
johnny come home
i can not wait to read this book
if you have read his other books then you know what i mean
very pleased with the service
quick delivery no fuss
if you have read his other books then you know what i mean
very pleased with the service
quick delivery no fuss
Published 20 months ago by george
Sweet Thing Come Home
Jake Arnott is a great writer and this book was superb even without the 'Long Firm' propping it up.
Left open to maybe continue just like the Harry Stark affair. Read more
Left open to maybe continue just like the Harry Stark affair. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Rich T
good but didn't blow me away
The first Jake Arnott book I've read, although I've really enjoyed the TV adaptations of The Long Firm and He Kills Coppers. Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2008 by SecretsofVoodoo
Glittering book?
I've just finished reading it. I confess I only bought it because of the great review Bowie gave this author and the link of the Bowie references... Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2007 by M. Wheeller
Abrupt ending, but good
Unless I have bought a defective copy, this is the most abrupt ending book I've ever read! Is it to be continued? It certainly left a lot of unanswered questions. Read more
Published on 25 July 2007 by Redeye
a brilliant account of the early 70s
This is very much in the style of the same author's Long Firm trilogy in that it combines real events and characters with fiction. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2007 by Shevek
Interesting but a little self absorbed
I did enjoy this book, and followed the characters to the end. The glamourous rent boy with his Ziggy Stardust style, the dark background of his past and his lover's secrets. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2007 by Lucy Feather
Poor fare compared to past 3 gems
Firstly, I'm no prude but I couldn't see why the author chose to be so graphic with the homosexual acts in the story. Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2006 by Paul J.
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