Synopsis/blurb ...
During the sizzling hot summer of 1976 in Liverpool, teenager Tommy Dwyer is rapidly approaching adulthood and dealing with the usual coming of age issues: temptation, gang violence, murder and helping to prevent the flooding of the streets with illegal drugs
A cross between a crime story and a coming of age tale as we spend part of the summer of '76 in the company of Tommy Dwyer. My memory of that year has diminished over time, but author Terry Melia's obviously hasn't. I believe it was one of the driest, hottest summers on record.
Romance, gangs, rivalries, tear-ups, GBH, friendship, family, depression, emigration, Bruce Lee, burglaries, stolen goods, unemployment, a man's best friend, a camping trip to Wales, fights, friction, another romance, a death, the police, confessions, criminal enterprise, a new life.
Tommy Dwyer is a love sick teenager and he's a bit of a lad - a scally. We follow his scrapes and adventures, which author Terry Melia presents with humour and affection. Dwyer's no-angel - just ask the tramp he crossed paths with - but his escapades make for great entertainment.
A very enjoyable outing, made a fraction better by some decent narration by David Hunsdale. I almost felt like a teenager again.
4 from 5
Read - (listened to) April, 2021
Published - 2018
Page count - 213 (6hrs 33mins)
Source - purchased
Format - Audible
Thanks for taking the time to love a wonderful review. Really appreciated!
ReplyDeleteTerry, you're very welcome.
DeleteThis one sounds like a good look at teen life at the time, Col. And of course, there are the age-old things young people have to cope with as they come of age. I like the setting (both time and place), too. Interesting how coming-of-age themes can make us all feel like teenagers again...
ReplyDeleteYes, I could relate to a lot of Terry's growing pains, Margot.
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