Meet Hughie Youngkin, trapped in Southern California's worst ever firestorm, a smalltown loser with nothing but a stolen mariachi outfit and a battered guitar case. His hopes of becoming a rockstar are in ruins and he's beginning to wish he'd never left Big Springs, Alabama. But his home town doesn't understand him, the girl he loved has left, and his overbearing mother chews over his shortcomings with her Hungryman's portions of barbequed beef at Webster's Steakhouse. So Hughie does what any Johnny Lonely would do; he takes off to find his estranged brother and chase the American Dream. 'Atmospheric, believable, much more than just a good read.' - Denise Robertson MBE, novelist and agony aunt 'Reading Johnny Lonely is funnier than watching a drunk falling over and more poignant than realizing that you're dead.' - Jonathan Trigell, author Boy A and Cham
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'Atmospheric, believable, much more than just a good read. If you're young you will revel in it. If youth has flown, this is the book to revive it. Whatever your age, you'll love it.' --Denise Robertson MBE, novelist and agony aunt
''Reading Johnny Lonely is funnier than watching a drunk falling over and more poignant than realizing that you're dead. Pete Tanton has a rare talent for making the weird totally credible and the realistic strangely surreal. Johnny Lonely is crammed with perfectly acute observations on American society, of a kind that only an exile could achieve.' --Jonathan Trigell, author Boy A and Cham
''Reading Johnny Lonely is funnier than watching a drunk falling over and more poignant than realizing that you're dead. Pete Tanton has a rare talent for making the weird totally credible and the realistic strangely surreal. Johnny Lonely is crammed with perfectly acute observations on American society, of a kind that only an exile could achieve.' --Jonathan Trigell, author Boy A and Cham
About the Author
Pete Tanton grew up in the Southern US, but now lives and works in the UK. He has worked as a travelling violin salesman and as a publisher's stockroom assistant, and now teaches English at a secondary school in Gateshead. He lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with his wife and son.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Allen
A book that i originally picked up as a light holiday read quickly became much more as i found myself drawn into the deep characters and bizarre imagery as the book moved forward. I can only echo the above in hoping that we will hear much more from this author!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Johnny Lonely is a book that universally appeals to me. For a start it's very funny which is often difficult for any book to acheive. The characters are intriguing and realistic, drawing the reader into the story and the portrayal of America is compelling to read, especially the daily life of Hughie's mum. I love this book because the life of Hughie feels real, even though the situations he finds himself in could seem strange to someone else, they fit perfectly within the world of Hughie Youngkin. I would recommend this book to everyone, it's comical, touching and an excellent read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
To be honest, this isn't something I would usually read. However, it is definatly something I reccomend. Funny and brilliantly written, characters that are easy to relate to, this is something you should certainly read. Hopefully we'll be getting more from this author.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Debbie Peart
A book that will ring bells with readers of all ages. From teenage angst and the overprotective mother, to the disappointing realisation that a hero worshipped older sibling is better remembered than revisited! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By LEAH REES
A fantastic read - bursting with a variety of superb suprises throughout the story. Let's hope this isn't the last we hear of Pete Tanton! He deserves to do well, and as a gifted writer we'd expect no less.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A wonderfully observant and penetrating picture of suburban America, poignant and yet very funny. Johnny a teenager with no direction and vague hopes of musical stardom does manage to escape in search of his dreams. Despite reality hitting him in the face there is a surprising twist which keeps you turning the pages to find the ending. A really good read.
By Heddonist
Hughie Youngkin is a jigsaw piece that just doesn't fit into the pit-pat world his domineering mother has created for him, and he refuses to be moulded. There begins the search for the picture in which he will belong. Like so many mixed-up newlygrads, Johnny's journey encompasses grand vision, bold venture, intense embarrassment, monumentally bad decisions, shattered illusions and the desperate need for Mother Fortune to dig him out of his ever deepening hole - because Johnny(sorry, Hughie) is 100% incapable of doing it himself. This first novel by Pete Tanton is as confident as they come, with characters you really get to know and empathise (or lose your temper) with and some spot-on observations of the human condition. Funny, thought-provoking and moving, it was a clear hit with me. Bring on No. 2, Mr Tanton!!
By paul caven
Amazon Verified Purchase
Just one of the many funny lines which got this book banned from my bed. When I laugh out loud it makes the bed jiggle and wakes up my sleeping missus. So I finished it out in the back garden. And I really enjoyed it. I've never lived in California, but I have been in a band with three other guys, and the rivalries and emotions were absolutely spot on. The image of Hughie making the ash angel really sticks in my mind as well. And I loved it near the end when Hughie's old man, confronted by a highly bizzare and confusing scenario, simply says "that's my boy". Brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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The new 'Holes'
In years to come students will be talking about this book as being as seminal as Louis Sachar's 'Holes'. Read more
Published on 15 July 2007 by Mrs. Alison Hicklenton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Johnny's not so lonely...
...as I can't leave him alone! Anyone who is or who knows a twenty something who just can't seem to leave home, will empathise with Johnny. Read more
Published on 10 July 2007 by Rhoanne May
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