Tony Hogan tells the story of a Scottish childhood of filthy council flats and B&Bs, screeching women, feckless men, fags and booze and drugs, the dole queue and bread and marge sandwiches. It is also the story of an irresistible, irrepressible heroine, a dysfunctional family you can't help but adore, the absurdities of the eighties and the fierce bonds that tie people together no matter what. Told in an arrestingly original -- and cry-out-loud funny -- voice, it launches itself headlong into the middle of one of life's great fights, between the pull of the past and the freedom of the future. And Janie Ryan, born and bred for combat, is ready to win.
by
Kerry Hudson
I loved this beautifully written, sharply observed novel. Despite the mostly grim circumstances of the feisty heroine, Janie Ryan, there was plenty of humour throughout. Janie is an original and engaging voice, easy to warm to, and it was interesting (and horrifying in parts) to read a story about people on the outskirts of society - the sort of people we perhaps turn away from in real life, and feel uncomfortable being around.
The Yarmouth setting is well-observed and the relationships, though flawed, are warm and believable, especially between daughter and mum. You'll be rooting for Janie from the word go.
Tony Hogan is gritty and gripping, funny and moving, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something a little bit different.
Some great references to 80s music too!
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