- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks; New Ed edition (5 Jun 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340715693
- ISBN-13: 978-0340715697
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.1 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 305,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Northern Sky
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Funny, touching, true. If you love music, you will love this book' (Fran Healy )
'A thoroughly satisfying read and a great snapshot of the world it depicts.' (Paul Armfield, Ottakar's Isle of Wight )
Praise for SHOWBUSINESS:
'Lancashire’s answer to Nick Hornby. If Mark Radcliffe ever gets bored with Djing, there’s a highly promising career as a writer waiting for him’ (The Mirror )
'Hilarious stuff’ (Independent on Sunday )
‘A love letter to pop music. Mark Radcliffe is the sharpest DJ that Radio One has ever had by some considerable distance’ (The Sunday Times )
'A thoroughly satisfying read and a great snapshot of the world it depicts.' (Paul Armfield, Ottakar's Isle of Wight )
Praise for SHOWBUSINESS:
'Lancashire’s answer to Nick Hornby. If Mark Radcliffe ever gets bored with Djing, there’s a highly promising career as a writer waiting for him’ (The Mirror )
'Hilarious stuff’ (Independent on Sunday )
‘A love letter to pop music. Mark Radcliffe is the sharpest DJ that Radio One has ever had by some considerable distance’ (The Sunday Times )
Paul Armfield, Ottakar's Isle of Wight
'A thoroughly satisfying read and a great snapshot of the world it depicts.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have listened to Mark Radcliffe on the radio for years now and I don't remember hearing a bad show from him, but unfortunately he has written a bad book with Northern Sky.
Nothing works in it. The main character is a bad tempered, ale swigging loser whose clever dick comments don't just get on the other characters nerves but they soon got on my nerves too. The object of his affection is a limp, sensitive little flower who is too pathetic for words. His talented best friend is an extra from Lord of the Rings. In fact not one of the characters is remotely likeable, or believable.
The storyline is extremely flimsy and could be told in about a half the time, or a quarter if the author had have left out the constant name checks of many different types of beer. At times I wasn't sure if I was reading a novel or a real ale guide.
If nothing else I had hoped that I might learn a little about the murky world of folk music. Prior to reading this book I always thought, rightly or wrongly, that folk music devotees were eccentric, long haired tree huggers. Unfortunately this book does nothing to dispel this impression. If anything it strengthens it.
Mark Radcliffes first book, Show business, was excellent, so I know that he is a talented writer. He's just got it wrong with Northern Sky.
Nothing works in it. The main character is a bad tempered, ale swigging loser whose clever dick comments don't just get on the other characters nerves but they soon got on my nerves too. The object of his affection is a limp, sensitive little flower who is too pathetic for words. His talented best friend is an extra from Lord of the Rings. In fact not one of the characters is remotely likeable, or believable.
The storyline is extremely flimsy and could be told in about a half the time, or a quarter if the author had have left out the constant name checks of many different types of beer. At times I wasn't sure if I was reading a novel or a real ale guide.
If nothing else I had hoped that I might learn a little about the murky world of folk music. Prior to reading this book I always thought, rightly or wrongly, that folk music devotees were eccentric, long haired tree huggers. Unfortunately this book does nothing to dispel this impression. If anything it strengthens it.
Mark Radcliffes first book, Show business, was excellent, so I know that he is a talented writer. He's just got it wrong with Northern Sky.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What can I say about this book? The style will come as no suprise to any fan of Mark Radcliffe's radio show as we follow Ed Beckinsale on his return to his home town after his sacking. He is quickly drawn into a burgeoning folk music scene at Northern Sky, the local folk club. He is accompanied on his journey through the music industry by long time friends whose history obviously looms large in their relationships. The book is funny, touching and the flaws in Ed's character are all too easy to identify with.
An excellent first novel and here's hoping it won't be the last!
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mark Radcliff's late night radio one show practically defined my teenage years but I am sorry to say that I could not finish this book. Despite being very interested in the subject matter (folk music, Nick Drake especially), I could not get past the absolute lack of character development, the clunky, unbelievable dialogue, the name-dropping of beers and frankly, the misogyny. I can accept that Radcliff can't write -he's a brilliant DJ, we can't all do everything, but I expected his views on women to be a little bit more contemporary. In the half of the book I have read, there is one main female character; a delicate, anorexic little flower who Ed, the protagonist, is promising to defend at every turn. If Radcliff had spent a little more time defining his characters and a little less time marshalling every northern cliche he could find into action, this might have been a good book. As it is... awful!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Expectations dashed
Like other readers,I bought this book based on my experience of Mark's other writing and listening to his radio shows. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. J. Slater
Could do better!
This book has definitely been written by someone who knows the folk world, its famous artists, customs (quirks even), festivals and fans. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2009 by J. R. Trickett
Mills and Boon do folk
Dear oh dear. This is an extended fifth form English story. The 'hero' of the story is a complete d*ckhead. Impossible to be interested in him. Read more
Published on 11 July 2007 by M. Dale
dissapointing
I love Mark Radcliffe as a broadcaster and enjoyed his show business book but this came as a real disappointment. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2007 by N. Bull
Very folk in good!
I loved this book.Radcliffe is funny and you can read this even if you have no knowledge of Folk music (like me) and still enjoy it. Read more
Published on 23 April 2007 by Mr. M. Broad
Truly touching ending, great book!
You may notice i reviewed his other book too but you'll have to trust me, this is a great book! This is his second book alough his first was a kind of auto biog this is his first... Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2006 by Mr. C. M. Graham
Mushn't Grummmmmble
I suspect this book will mainly be read by listeners to Mark Radcliffe which would be a shame. While regular listeners will get more out of the book, it is entertaining enough to... Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2005 by iPod Geek
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