- Hardcover
- ISBN-10: 1845056930
- ISBN-13: 978-1845056933
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
All cities have their seamier side and Manchester is no exception. From the very first page of this book the reader is plunged into a shadowy world of fear where to live is merely to survive.
The story revolves around three main characters and their struggles to cope with their circumstances against a backdrop of drugs, despair and poverty. All three are brilliantly brought to life in vivid pen pictures but I must make particular mention of the Asian girl. Her exploits whilst evading her would be captors are palpitatingly exciting and her mother's helpless anguish is heartrending.
Ultimately, as in all good novels, the paths of all three cross by a strange quirk of fate with tragic consequences.
The story moves at a blistering pace and is written both eloquently and explicitly with a touch of dark humour. On occasion there are some almost biblical phrases.
The only negative comment I have is that, as a non-Mancunian, I was slightly bemused by the street references but, if one knows the area, they will serve to heighten the realism.
On reaching the last page I was left with a strange sense of loss. I hope there will be a sequel. Meanwhile I shall read the book for a second time!
The story revolves around three main characters and their struggles to cope with their circumstances against a backdrop of drugs, despair and poverty. All three are brilliantly brought to life in vivid pen pictures but I must make particular mention of the Asian girl. Her exploits whilst evading her would be captors are palpitatingly exciting and her mother's helpless anguish is heartrending.
Ultimately, as in all good novels, the paths of all three cross by a strange quirk of fate with tragic consequences.
The story moves at a blistering pace and is written both eloquently and explicitly with a touch of dark humour. On occasion there are some almost biblical phrases.
The only negative comment I have is that, as a non-Mancunian, I was slightly bemused by the street references but, if one knows the area, they will serve to heighten the realism.
On reaching the last page I was left with a strange sense of loss. I hope there will be a sequel. Meanwhile I shall read the book for a second time!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What a stunning debut. From the first sentence the reader is gripped, and drawn into the sleazy, violent, nasty underworld which belies the much promoted, highly camouflaged public perception of Manchester. It's refreshing to hear the truth - and to hear it told in such a well-written, exciting way. Bleak, uncompromising, brilliant, and not without some wonderful moments of black humour.The pace will take your breath away.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Paul Southern's debut defies crime novel conventions - there's no police procedural (no particular mention of the police at all in fact), it mixes the lurid and sensational gripping style of a page-turner with many great literary flourishes, and, as well as three intertwining storylines packed with strong characters, perhaps the greatest character of all is the city of Manchester itself, its intimidating presence crackling on every page. Forget the image of Manchester that its media spin doctors would like to present - here we're plunged into the city's squalid underbelly where threat and violence are never far away, from the very first sentence. Political Correctness is brushed aside as we're dragged, unflinchingly, into the heart of the Asian underworld, the darker, desperate side of the Gay Village, and the despair and violence of the crumbling council estates. Just read the superbly stylish prologue as the narrator takes us down every dark alley and squalid nook and cranny of the city and you'll be hooked.
One story features an Asian girl Shazia trying to escape from her father and some very unpleasant kidnappers, the second focuses on a young thug Jamie who lives for 'the craze' (read the book to find out!) and the third features on Dru, a drag act offered a future of fame on TV - but the price might be very high indeed. The way that the storylines intertwine and finally come together is very clever indeed.
One story features an Asian girl Shazia trying to escape from her father and some very unpleasant kidnappers, the second focuses on a young thug Jamie who lives for 'the craze' (read the book to find out!) and the third features on Dru, a drag act offered a future of fame on TV - but the price might be very high indeed. The way that the storylines intertwine and finally come together is very clever indeed.
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