This is the debut
novel of Philip Collins and is set “up North” in the small town of
Brandlesholme, near Bury and involves two young lads who grow up on the Harwood
council estate.
Kevin and Adam
were always best mates – blood brothers in fact. Kevin was always the leader of
the pack at school and was always the dominant one, while Adam, bookish and
sensitive, rode on the coat tails of his friend. They shared football and
fighting and secret dens and their friendship survives throughout the period of
their lives described in this book.
Kevin becomes a
professional footballer, playing for his local team at first but is then picked
to play for Bury but suffers a drastic injury to his knee which ruins his
career as a professional footballer. Adam meanwhile has made it to Bury Grammar
school and then goes on to Cambridge University where he meets and falls in
love with the beautiful Elizabeth. They come from different upbringings and it
seems as if their relationship is doomed from the start.
Kevin meanwhile is
despondent, out of a job, with no prospects and sinks into a life of crime,
booze and drugs and finishes up in prison.
How their lives
evolve from these beginnings is the subject of this book. As it says on the
cover, this is a story of life, love and loss, touching and funny, it is the story of a new generation.
An endearing story
that I can recommend.
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