A brilliant coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Cold War and events leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Clem Ackroyd lives with his parents and grandmother in a claustrophobic home too small to accommodate their larger-than-life characters in the bleak Norlfolk countryside. Clem's life changes irrevocably when he meets Frankie, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, and experiences first love, in all its pain and glory. The story is told in flashback by Clem when he is living and working in New York City as a designer, and moves from the past of his parents and grandmother to his own teenage years. Not only the threat of explosions, but actual ones as well, feature throughout in this latest novel from one of the finest writers working today.

Sent to Edwardstreet via the International Wishlist tag game.

Happy Reading!

Finally my mail was redirected to where I am staying in lockdown and this was most welcome as ten days ago I had finished every book in the house.

Lovely, and so well written. I loved the insight into the Cuban crisis which was a new perspective for me.
The characters were very alive to me, and the young love of Clem and Frankie was delightful. The author’s notes suggest the novel is partly autobiographical.

Picked up in central Wellington while visiting EdwardStreet.

A recommended read, I could imagine the village Clem grew up in and enjoyed the social history.

On the table below the mirror.

Taken off the shelf to continue travelling.

It’s been and gone off the shelf a few times, so I hope other readers have enjoyed it.

I enjoyed this read, about being a teenager in England during the Cold War.
I hope you have fun reading it over the New Zealand summer.

If you aren't familiar with Bookcrossing, take a few minutes to check out this very cool site. Bookcrossers LOVE books, and more than anything, they love to read books and then set them free for other people to find and enjoy. I would love it if you would leave a journal entry -- you can say where you found the book or how you liked it when you read it.

Today I opened the door to a wonderful surprise 'between birthday and Christmas' gift from kiwiinengland - Thank you so very much! xxx
P.S. My former writing tutor Mandy Hager was going through a Master Class with Mal Peet while tutoring my class at Whitireia. She thought he was AMAZING so I'm looking forward to this once it descends from the rather vast Mt TBR - thank you!