Breadboy

It s Belfast, 1977. The King is dead and a 14-year-old boy wearing Denim aftershave has just been appointed breadboy in the last Ormo Mini-Shop in the world, delivering bread to the residents of the Upper Shankill on Saturday mornings. He s all grown up now, so he is, and nearly shaving.

The Bee Gees fill the airwaves, everyone is in love with Princess Leia, and Breadboy s love of peace and pets is soon rivalled by his interest in parallel universes and punk . . . and girls, especially Judy Carlton who sits opposite him in chemistry. Sooner or later, Breadboy is sure they ll become a proper couple like Paul and Linda, and Judy will be his girl.

There are rivals at school and dangers on the streets, but Breadboy is hopeful, so he is. He is a good Breadboy. He delivers.

As does Tony Macaulay, in this delightful sequel to the critically acclaimed Paperboy.

'The adventures of a Belfast Breadboy prove to be an uplifting tale Breadboy delivers a tale of courage, optimism, and simple niceness Breadboy is an affectionately-drawn memoir, in many ways a cultural survey of the era, part personal narrative, part historical record. The narrative style is easy and sharp, with a colourful, humorous edge that keeps things lively and engaging. Behind Tony's straight-laced exterior, there beats the heart of a hilarious and gifted writer who's published a couple of darkly comical books about growing up in Belfast. The latest really is a laugh a minute.' --Ivan Little, Belfast Telegraph