I found this a little slow at first, but as I got a bit further in, it was really enjoyable. This takes place in the early 70's; the characters are the same age that I was during that era. Since the setting is Birmingham, England, I can't say that it was evocative for me, but I did enjoy references to the music that was in vogue at the time. The ending was disappointing, but I think it was intentionally ambiguous so that you'll want to read the sequel.
lent this to a friend who is english...I wish i had paid more attention 40 years ago to the turmoil england surrounding labor riots and the ira, but then, I was only a teenager
Birmingham, England 1973 Industrial strikes, bad pop music, corrosive class warefare, adolescent angst, ira bombings, four friends: a class clown who stoops very low for a laugh: a confused artist enthralled by guitar rock: an earnest radical with sociallist leanings: and a quiet dreamer obsessed with poetry, God, and the prettiest girl in school. as the world appears to self destruct around them. They hold together to navigate the chopy waters of a decidedly ambiguous decade.
