Book 13: October 1st 2009
It’s 1986, the last day of the summer holidays, and Christopher Hearsey is wondering why his best mate Arthur has suddenly disappeared, and whether lippy Gill Ross a few doors down might know anything about it. The great border city of Carlisle is buzzing with rumours following an act of terrible violence, and in order to begin his search Chris must face down his own dread, not only of the consequences of his own actions, but of local big man Booby Grove, and his psychotic sidekick Carl ‘the black’ Hole, who is keen to settle an old score. Populated by a menacing and hilarious cast of characters, and moving from the dark aggrieved streets of the city to the agricultural hinterland of the Solway Firth, this is the story of a boy desperate to get out of town, out of a bad situation, even out of his own skin. Written with a moving demotic brilliance, reminiscent of Huckleberry Finn, “Talk of the Town” is an exhilarating and terrifying odyssey.
The first novel from Carlise poet Jacob Polley, the novel was published earlier this year to much acclaim: The Independent praised ‘Polley’s beguiling prose style [which] tests the limits of language, blending lyricism with brutality; juxtaposing tenderness with vicious criminality.’ and it was compared by Books Quarterly to Huckleberry Finn (praise indeed!). Probably closest to God’s Own Country in Book Club terms, I think opinions may be divided but please- even those who hated the Ross Raisin- persevere through the first few chapters and this one might surprise you…
You can also have a look at Jacob and read a few poems on his website.
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