- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Flame; New edition edition (3 Feb 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340793481
- ISBN-13: 978-0340793480
- Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 11 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 460,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Paul Burke's Untorn Tickets is a warm, humorous and, in places, touching novel about growing up in west London at the fag end of the 1970s. Andy Zymancyk and Dave Kelly are the teenage offspring of, respectively, staunchly Catholic Polish and Irish families. Both are pupils of St Bede's Roman Catholic Grammar School for Boys, an institution whose "manifesto of academic and sporting excellence, religious fervour and iron discipline" is described by its pedagogic headmaster, Father "Johnny Mac" McLafferty, as "work hard, play hard and pray hard". Luckily part-time jobs in Westbourne Grove's Gaumont Cinema provide the boys with rather a different kind of education. Taken under the wing of its flamboyant, tuxedo-wearing manager, Tony Harris, they are introduced to the seamier side of "The Grove". While a scam, devised by Dave, to resell "untorn tickets" and recycle coke cups helps to augment their meagre wages--just the thing when old soul 45s, mod suits, Vespa scooters, Ford Continas and girls appear infinitely more interesting than school work and Catholic piety.
At the cinema, Dave also meets and falls in love with Rachel, a glamorous Jewish girl, who, like him, craves freedom from unquestioning religious conformity. Andy too is in love only, unfortunately, he is infatuated with his cousin, Alison. With schemes afoot to transform St Bede's sixth form into a separate college and turn the Gaumont into a bingo hall, things, romantic, educational and vocational look less than rosy. As with a few other 70s retro novels, this book suffers from product placement period detail (Argos catalogues, Brut, Opal Fruits and Revels feature throughout). Burke compounds this further by constantly trotting out dates--"In 1978, very few people had videos" or "in 1979, Sting was cool". (In direct contrast Father McLafferty’s comments about the effects of comprehensive education and Tony Harris’s faith in the resurgence of cinema appear--in 1979--so farsighted as to be practically prophetic.) There is however, a good deal of charm here. Burke is often an extremely witty tender, writer. Although sometimes he’s clumsy with his material, he does succeed in evoking the era and capturing the frisson of adolescence.--Travis Elborough --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
PRAISE FOR FATHER FRANK: 'FATHER FRANK is a warm, funny, blisteringly good read that has the angels on its side' - Tony Parsons 'A dazzling first novel - funny, thoughtful and original' - Stephen Fry 'The only novel I've ever read that tackles the fundamental issues of God, Irishness, advertising, love and cab driving all at once. Fast-moving, witty and highly digestible, it slips down like a fresh Eucharist wafer' - Tim Lott 'Intriguing!irresistible' - Adele Parks 'The feel-good factor of an Ealing comedy and some beautifully executed one-liners' - Scotland on Sunday 'Original and comedic!very cool, very pithy' - Express
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must admit I approached this book with some trepidation as I was (am) a big fan of Father Ted and Paul Burkes' gentle humour.
But I need not have worried, because if anything this is better. A finely woven plot full of wonderful characters based in a London that the author obviously holds real affection for.
A writer well worthy of the comparisons to Tony Parsons and NIck Hornby that are currently being made.
And, perhaps more importantly, a book that's a real pleasure to read.
.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Paul Burke, author of the hugely entertaining Father Frank, has done it again. Another razor-sharp observation of London-based Catholics growing up in the 1970s.
This time Paul stays longer in the era that brought the Mod revival to the fore. As well as two strong central characters, Paul weaves in some delightful tales about their time at what seems to have been a totally loopy grammar school. It could almost have been my own.
As with Father Frank, this was a real 'couldn't put it down' book. Just don't tell the Pope.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Paul has perfectly captured that late-seventies era of Mod revival, Two-Tone, Saturday Night Fever & Grease in this offering. But where did he draw the inspiration for the monster of the school caretaker, and some of the other rich, larger than life characters he has skilfully woven into the story.
I think most 40 years+ London Catholic school educated people will empathise with the hopes and fears expressed by the central characters in the novel.
I think most 40 years+ London Catholic school educated people will empathise with the hopes and fears expressed by the central characters in the novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Heartwarming - but not soppy
I really enjoyed this book. For the first 2 or 3 chapters I had my doubts as the author seems to be on a Catholic bashing exercise (I'm not Catholic by the way) however it soon... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by Barmee
The only book I've ever considered putting in the bin
Absolutely terrible writing. It's like really bad Nick Horny. A few good songs mentioned in there, but that's about all it's got going for it. Read more
Published on 11 July 2008 by R. Downes
a perfect evocation of cinema in the late 1970's
I picked this book up in the local library, because of the title and having read it am now about to buy my own copy. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2006 by B. Dowell
Funny
This book was really funny throughout with a really good ending. It was very realistic to life then and especially in relation to the cinema and how they made their money with the... Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2005 by "fionabm"
Disjointed and not very funny
Looking at the other reader reviews I seem to be alone in my opinion of this book. I loved Father Frank and so was extremely disappointed to not enjoy this book. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2004 by pboropixie
A wonderful read, beautifully observed and crafted
First Father Frank, now another gem from Paul Burke. Reading Untorn Tickets resulted in the proverbial suppressed hysteria on the London Underground as I went to work, even 97... Read more
Published on 16 July 2003 by Mrs. E Lowen
Definitely a writer to watch!
Again a thoroughly good read,elegant,insightful and humourous.If all writers were this good we would spend much of our time reading.
Published on 15 Jan 2003
Encore une fois...
Having thoroughly enjoyed Father Frank, I excitedly seized on this second offering from Mr Burke and I am delighted to say that I was not disappointed. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2002
Shared Memories of school - from Singapore
Another brilliant work by Paul Burke. I thoroughly enjoyed Father Frank but Untorn Tickets was not put down until finished. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2002 by "irishmark"
Never wanted the book to end...
I just loved this second book by the talented, witty and charming Mr.Burke.
He was able to captivate my attention from beginning to end and I was unable to put the book down,... Read more
He was able to captivate my attention from beginning to end and I was unable to put the book down,... Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2002
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