Hoodie
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
‘Can’t we have some decent fuckin’ music?’ Mo eventually blurted in an uncharacteristic display of impatience from the back. ‘I can’t put up with any more of this shit.’
‘Here,’ said Dave, laughing. ‘Plug yer wotsit into this.’ He passed back a lead which fed into his system, allowing Mo to hook up his iPod through the speakers.
‘Lovely!’ said Mo with an obvious sense of relief at being put back in charge of sounds. ‘That shit was starting to do my head in. And to show my appreciation I’m gonna choose something to wish your new car well.’ Mo was smiling again as he scrolled up and down his playlists to select an appropriate tune.
‘Hey! Here we go guys. Something to launch Dave’s new ship,’ he said as the sounds of Fools Gold by The Stone Roses vibrated throughout the Peugeot’s shell.
‘Fools Gold?’ mouthed Ben, leaning across Hannah. Mo winked in return and commented with deadpan delivery that he thought it was a very apt tune for Dave’s new car. Ben laughed and Hannah giggled girlishly as she quickly picked up on the subtlety of Mo’s humour.
‘And I thought it was girls who were supposed to be the bitchy ones,’ she said tartly.
Luca joined in the back row laughter although Ben, Mo and Hannah were sure he did not have a clue precisely what they were laughing at, which only set them off more
‘What’s funny, guys?’ shouted Dave, breaking his concentration from the front.
‘Nuffin’ Dave,’ Ben struggled to say without laughing. ‘Just enjoying the ride…keep your eyes on the road, yeh?
‘Hey Dave,’ Ben continued, seeking a diversion from laughing at Fools Gold. ‘I got a joke for you. Two chavs in a car with no music…who’s driving?’ Ben paused for effect before answering. ‘…the policeman…’
Dave laughed, but nothing in comparison to Luca who was curled up again into another over-enthusiastic fit of giggles, waving his sprawled arms and legs all over Mo and Hannah.
‘Move, will you,’ tutted Hannah, slapping his hands down for the second time. Mo kissed his teeth and continued to stare through the blacked out windows.
‘Alright Luca,’ said Ben leaning forward. ‘It wasn’t that funny.’
‘And no more police jokes, okay?’ said Dave. ‘I got me shooter stuffed down da back seat so be careful, yeh?’
Formats
Softcover
$17.99
E-Book
$4.95
Softcover
$17.99
Book Details
Language :
English
Publication Date :
12/29/2009
Format :
Softcover
Dimensions :
5x8
Page Count :
336
ISBN :
9781449027629
Format :
E-Book
Dimensions :
E-Book
Page Count :
336
ISBN :
9781449062958
About the Book
From the moment Ben Chapman ( ‘Hoodie’ to the other Shady Boys) crashes out of school, determined never to return and, incidentally, seeking his revenge on the school’s drug dealer by stealing and concealing his stash in his trousers on the way out, you know that this is a boy to whom caution and reticence are alien concepts. Outwardly, he maintains that all he wants is a job, his own money and to follow his heart towards the girl of his dreams, Isabelle.
But, underneath that concealing hoodie, Ben has a rich inner life, fed by dope, wine and the belief that he is someone special. During his ‘summer of love’, we follow his attempts to engage with the real world with frustration and compassion. His adventures cause him to question today’s competitive, consumer-based values, eventually challenging his perception of reality and prompting him to reflect upon who and what his purpose in life is before finding himself faced with the definitive test of resolve and bravery.
Hoodie’s blend of up-to-date realism, dream-like escapism, fast-paced, hard-hitting action, wistful musings, humour and tragedy, all while the story navigates its way on a magical mystery tour of Ben’s mind, ensures an enjoyable read. It provides the perfect antidote to alarmist Daily Mail reporting of youth issues, exploring the problems facing modern day Britain
On a deeper level, there is a moral/spiritual sub-text, fed by Ben’s belief that he has a secret weapon; the simian lines (fused head and heart lines) on the palms of his hands. These are extremely rare and noted as being a genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researchers and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Could these lines hold the key to his future?
About the Author
Brendon Lancaster lives in London
‘Hoodie’ is Brendon’s first novel. He was prompted to write it because after spending 25 years in steady, albeit moderately successful, civil service employment he felt it was time to stretch his creative potential.
His relatively newfound passion for writing reflects his long held desire (identified at an early age) of finding a way of getting paid to daydream. He is currently working on a second novel.
Brendon is keen to emphasise that ‘Hoodie’ is entirely fictional and any characters or events are purely the product of his imagination. He is proud, however, to admit to – like ‘Hoodie’ - having simian lines on both of his palms – a rare genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researches and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Brendon has shown no sign of possessing any of these traits. Yet.
‘Can’t we have some decent fuckin’ music?’ Mo eventually blurted in an uncharacteristic display of impatience from the back. ‘I can’t put up with any more of this shit.’
‘Here,’ said Dave, laughing. ‘Plug yer wotsit into this.’ He passed back a lead which fed into his system, allowing Mo to hook up his iPod through the speakers.
‘Lovely!’ said Mo with an obvious sense of relief at being put back in charge of sounds. ‘That shit was starting to do my head in. And to show my appreciation I’m gonna choose something to wish your new car well.’ Mo was smiling again as he scrolled up and down his playlists to select an appropriate tune.
‘Hey! Here we go guys. Something to launch Dave’s new ship,’ he said as the sounds of Fools Gold by The Stone Roses vibrated throughout the Peugeot’s shell.
‘Fools Gold?’ mouthed Ben, leaning across Hannah. Mo winked in return and commented with deadpan delivery that he thought it was a very apt tune for Dave’s new car. Ben laughed and Hannah giggled girlishly as she quickly picked up on the subtlety of Mo’s humour.
‘And I thought it was girls who were supposed to be the bitchy ones,’ she said tartly.
Luca joined in the back row laughter although Ben, Mo and Hannah were sure he did not have a clue precisely what they were laughing at, which only set them off more
‘What’s funny, guys?’ shouted Dave, breaking his concentration from the front.
‘Nuffin’ Dave,’ Ben struggled to say without laughing. ‘Just enjoying the ride…keep your eyes on the road, yeh?
‘Hey Dave,’ Ben continued, seeking a diversion from laughing at Fools Gold. ‘I got a joke for you. Two chavs in a car with no music…who’s driving?’ Ben paused for effect before answering. ‘…the policeman…’
Dave laughed, but nothing in comparison to Luca who was curled up again into another over-enthusiastic fit of giggles, waving his sprawled arms and legs all over Mo and Hannah.
‘Move, will you,’ tutted Hannah, slapping his hands down for the second time. Mo kissed his teeth and continued to stare through the blacked out windows.
‘Alright Luca,’ said Ben leaning forward. ‘It wasn’t that funny.’
‘And no more police jokes, okay?’ said Dave. ‘I got me shooter stuffed down da back seat so be careful, yeh?’
Formats
Softcover
$17.99
E-Book
$4.95
Softcover
$17.99
Book Details
Language :
English
Publication Date :
12/29/2009
Format :
Softcover
Dimensions :
5x8
Page Count :
336
ISBN :
9781449027629
Format :
E-Book
Dimensions :
E-Book
Page Count :
336
ISBN :
9781449062958
About the Book
From the moment Ben Chapman ( ‘Hoodie’ to the other Shady Boys) crashes out of school, determined never to return and, incidentally, seeking his revenge on the school’s drug dealer by stealing and concealing his stash in his trousers on the way out, you know that this is a boy to whom caution and reticence are alien concepts. Outwardly, he maintains that all he wants is a job, his own money and to follow his heart towards the girl of his dreams, Isabelle.
But, underneath that concealing hoodie, Ben has a rich inner life, fed by dope, wine and the belief that he is someone special. During his ‘summer of love’, we follow his attempts to engage with the real world with frustration and compassion. His adventures cause him to question today’s competitive, consumer-based values, eventually challenging his perception of reality and prompting him to reflect upon who and what his purpose in life is before finding himself faced with the definitive test of resolve and bravery.
Hoodie’s blend of up-to-date realism, dream-like escapism, fast-paced, hard-hitting action, wistful musings, humour and tragedy, all while the story navigates its way on a magical mystery tour of Ben’s mind, ensures an enjoyable read. It provides the perfect antidote to alarmist Daily Mail reporting of youth issues, exploring the problems facing modern day Britain
On a deeper level, there is a moral/spiritual sub-text, fed by Ben’s belief that he has a secret weapon; the simian lines (fused head and heart lines) on the palms of his hands. These are extremely rare and noted as being a genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researchers and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Could these lines hold the key to his future?
About the Author
Brendon Lancaster lives in London
‘Hoodie’ is Brendon’s first novel. He was prompted to write it because after spending 25 years in steady, albeit moderately successful, civil service employment he felt it was time to stretch his creative potential.
His relatively newfound passion for writing reflects his long held desire (identified at an early age) of finding a way of getting paid to daydream. He is currently working on a second novel.
Brendon is keen to emphasise that ‘Hoodie’ is entirely fictional and any characters or events are purely the product of his imagination. He is proud, however, to admit to – like ‘Hoodie’ - having simian lines on both of his palms – a rare genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researches and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Brendon has shown no sign of possessing any of these traits. Yet.
‘Can’t we have some decent fuckin’ music?’ Mo eventually blurted in an uncharacteristic display of impatience from the back. ‘I can’t put up with any more of this shit.’
‘Here,’ said Dave, laughing. ‘Plug yer wotsit into this.’ He passed back a lead which fed into his system, allowing Mo to hook up his iPod through the speakers.
‘Lovely!’ said Mo with an obvious sense of relief at being put back in charge of sounds. ‘That shit was starting to do my head in. And to show my appreciation I’m gonna choose something to wish your new car well.’ Mo was smiling again as he scrolled up and down his playlists to select an appropriate tune.
‘Hey! Here we go guys. Something to launch Dave’s new ship,’ he said as the sounds of Fools Gold by The Stone Roses vibrated throughout the Peugeot’s shell.
‘Fools Gold?’ mouthed Ben, leaning across Hannah. Mo winked in return and commented with deadpan delivery that he thought it was a very apt tune for Dave’s new car. Ben laughed and Hannah giggled girlishly as she quickly picked up on the subtlety of Mo’s humour.
‘And I thought it was girls who were supposed to be the bitchy ones,’ she said tartly.
Luca joined in the back row laughter although Ben, Mo and Hannah were sure he did not have a clue precisely what they were laughing at, which only set them off more
‘What’s funny, guys?’ shouted Dave, breaking his concentration from the front.
‘Nuffin’ Dave,’ Ben struggled to say without laughing. ‘Just enjoying the ride…keep your eyes on the road, yeh?
‘Hey Dave,’ Ben continued, seeking a diversion from laughing at Fools Gold. ‘I got a joke for you. Two chavs in a car with no music…who’s driving?’ Ben paused for effect before answering. ‘…the policeman…’
Dave laughed, but nothing in comparison to Luca who was curled up again into another over-enthusiastic fit of giggles, waving his sprawled arms and legs all over Mo and Hannah.
‘Move, will you,’ tutted Hannah, slapping his hands down for the second time. Mo kissed his teeth and continued to stare through the blacked out windows.
‘Alright Luca,’ said Ben leaning forward. ‘It wasn’t that funny.’
‘And no more police jokes, okay?’ said Dave. ‘I got me shooter stuffed down da back seat so be careful, yeh?’
Formats
Softcover
$17.99
E-Book
$4.95
Softcover
$17.99
Book Details
Language :
English
Publication Date :
12/29/2009
Format :
Softcover
Dimensions :
5x8
Page Count :
336
ISBN :
9781449027629
Format :
E-Book
Dimensions :
E-Book
Page Count :
336
ISBN :
9781449062958
About the Book
From the moment Ben Chapman ( ‘Hoodie’ to the other Shady Boys) crashes out of school, determined never to return and, incidentally, seeking his revenge on the school’s drug dealer by stealing and concealing his stash in his trousers on the way out, you know that this is a boy to whom caution and reticence are alien concepts. Outwardly, he maintains that all he wants is a job, his own money and to follow his heart towards the girl of his dreams, Isabelle.
But, underneath that concealing hoodie, Ben has a rich inner life, fed by dope, wine and the belief that he is someone special. During his ‘summer of love’, we follow his attempts to engage with the real world with frustration and compassion. His adventures cause him to question today’s competitive, consumer-based values, eventually challenging his perception of reality and prompting him to reflect upon who and what his purpose in life is before finding himself faced with the definitive test of resolve and bravery.
Hoodie’s blend of up-to-date realism, dream-like escapism, fast-paced, hard-hitting action, wistful musings, humour and tragedy, all while the story navigates its way on a magical mystery tour of Ben’s mind, ensures an enjoyable read. It provides the perfect antidote to alarmist Daily Mail reporting of youth issues, exploring the problems facing modern day Britain
On a deeper level, there is a moral/spiritual sub-text, fed by Ben’s belief that he has a secret weapon; the simian lines (fused head and heart lines) on the palms of his hands. These are extremely rare and noted as being a genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researchers and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Could these lines hold the key to his future?
About the Author
Brendon Lancaster lives in London
‘Hoodie’ is Brendon’s first novel. He was prompted to write it because after spending 25 years in steady, albeit moderately successful, civil service employment he felt it was time to stretch his creative potential.
His relatively newfound passion for writing reflects his long held desire (identified at an early age) of finding a way of getting paid to daydream. He is currently working on a second novel.
Brendon is keen to emphasise that ‘Hoodie’ is entirely fictional and any characters or events are purely the product of his imagination. He is proud, however, to admit to – like ‘Hoodie’ - having simian lines on both of his palms – a rare genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researches and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Brendon has shown no sign of possessing any of these traits. Yet.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
From the moment Ben Chapman ( ‘Hoodie’ to the other Shady Boys) crashes out of school, determined never to return and, incidentally, seeking his revenge on the school’s drug dealer by stealing and concealing his stash in his trousers on the way out, you know that this is a boy to whom caution and reticence are alien concepts. Outwardly, he maintains that all he wants is a job, his own money and to follow his heart towards the girl of his dreams, Isabelle. But, underneath that concealing hoodie, Ben has a rich inner life, fed by dope, wine and the belief that he is someone special. During his ‘summer of love’, we follow his attempts to engage with the real world with frustration and compassion. His adventures cause him to question today’s competitive, consumer-based values, eventually challenging his perception of reality and prompting him to reflect upon who and what his purpose in life is before finding himself faced with the definitive test of resolve and bravery. Hoodie’s blend of up-to-date realism, dream-like escapism, fast-paced, hard-hitting action, wistful musings, humour and tragedy, all while the story navigates its way on a magical mystery tour of Ben’s mind, ensures an enjoyable read. It provides the perfect antidote to alarmist Daily Mail reporting of youth issues, exploring the problems facing modern day
On a deeper level, there is a moral/spiritual sub-text, fed by Ben’s belief that he has a secret weapon; the simian lines (fused head and heart lines) on the palms of his hands. These are extremely rare and noted as being a genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researchers and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Could these lines hold the key to his future?
About the Author
Brendon Lancaster lives in ‘Hoodie’ is Brendon’s first novel. He was prompted to write it because after spending 25 years in steady, albeit moderately successful, civil service employment he felt it was time to stretch his creative potential. His relatively newfound passion for writing reflects his long held desire (identified at an early age) of finding a way of getting paid to daydream. He is currently working on a second novel. Brendon is keen to emphasise that ‘Hoodie’ is entirely fictional and any characters or events are purely the product of his imagination. He is proud, however, to admit to – like ‘Hoodie’ - having simian lines on both of his palms – a rare genetic abnormality shared by drug addicts, mass murderers, scientific researches and religious fanatics (and, by sheer coincidence, Tony Blair). Brendon has shown no sign of possessing any of these traits. Yet.