One of Manchester’s literary luminaries Joe Stretch launches his third novel at The International Anthony Burgess Foundation on Friday 7 September, with free fizz and musical accompaniment from his cousin, Callum Plowright (of local band, Oh Howl). Called The Adult, it’s a sharp, funny and stealthily heartbreaking coming-of-age novel that offers a joyous dose of 1990s nostalgia. It tells the story of Jim Thorne, born into a family of performers, a family of large perms and dramatic declarations of longing and ambition. As the narrative moves deftly through the ages of Global Hypercolour, Gazza and 2 Unlimited to the present day, Jim falteringly carves out ambitions of his own, but whether he manages to grow up is another question altogether. Marking a departure from the carnival grotesque of critically acclaimed debut Friction (2008) and follow-up Wildlife (2009), Stretch’s latest still packs a satirical punch and promises a lot to love for old and new fans of his work.
Fri 7 Sep, The International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, M1 5BY, 6.30pm, free. www.anthonyburgess.org
- Words:
- Katie Popperwell
- Published on:
- Fri 7 Sep 2012
