The write stuff from Willy Russell (The Wrong Boy - Willy Russell)

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Product:	The Wrong Boy - Willy Russell
Date:	07/08/02 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nostalgic, Witty, Poignant

Disadvantages: It may pass you by

Raymond Marks is mad on Morrissey. You may have liked him yourself when you were a rebel without a course (deliberate swap with the word- 'cause' there!) at school. Were you a veggie in the 80's when the only choice of food stuffs was a limp quiche or chips and beans at school? God I remember it well! Whenever you said you were veggie - people would say: "Ahh... I'm sorry!" But were you as mad as Ray about Morrissey? Did you write him letters? You may think back to the days of the daffodil-wearing Indie star from the eighties and cringe. If you cringe now but liked the skinny star from The Smiths then- the chances are you will love this witty novel from playwright, Willy Russell. But even if you don't know who Morrissey is - is there something in this great book for you? I think so.

HEAVEN KNOWS I'M MISERABLE NOW
===============================


Raymond Marks is a misunderstood lad from Manchester. He enjoys living life to the full but because he dabbles in vegetarianism, likes Morrissey and will not take any psycho-babble from anyone- he does not fit in. Kids at school think he's weird and teachers... well they generally give up on him. His Nan is the one person who truly understands him. His mum tries her best but as Raymond's dad is no longer on the scene she has a hard job on her hands.


MEAT IS MURDER
===============


Apart from his nan - Raymond turns to another source for advice. The only problem is this source cannot answer back. Raymond writes letters to Morrissey. He tells him how his day has been, what he has been up to and the adventures that adventures that he has been on. The bonus for the reader of this book is that we get to read these letters for ourselves. We follow Raymond through his witty and wonderful tales and get to read about his opinion on everything from Old People's homes to vegetarianism.


Heres's a taster of Raymond
's views on Veggie Cafes:

"They seem to attract the sorts of vegetarians who give vegetarianism a bad name, all sat around looking ill, avoiding salt and getting wound up about E numbers and CFCs. And for such caring people they seem hostile. Even the food seesm to have some kind of passive hostility to it. I ordered a homity pie. But it was all attitude and no flavour. "


Snippets of language like this keep you reading and smiling throughout. But if you are thinking that The Wrong Boy is just full of Victoria Wood style one liners then you are in for a surprise as Willy Russell has created unforgettable characters - ordinary people- faced with the most extra ordinary of situations. Raymond is judged by all around him. He and his immediate family are wronged by their own neighbours and other family members. The novel explores how society treats the old, the mentally ill and anyone who is 'different' with such passion, enthusiasm and vivid humour that you do not feel patronised or shouted at. The only way that I can come close to describing how vivid and moving this tale is - is by comparing it with Boys From The Blackstuff. Yosser's plight is that he has to tone down his masculinity as it does not suit his new role. He finds it difficult to accept that he has no 'real' role in life. In contrast Raymond is not a man's man. He likes different music, eats different things to his friends so once rumours circulate around school- people automtically believe them and judge him because he's not in the in - (waffle trouser wearing) crowd!

Here's some bits and bobs on some of the other characters in this wonderful book:

GRAN
~~~~~

The kind of Nan everyone would love. Full of cynicism and words of wisdom. This lovely warm character is wise, straightforward and very liberal. Watching how society treats her as she gets older is heart-breaking.


MUM
~~~~

S
he tries to 'get' Raymond but doesn't always succeed in doing so. she loves her son but needs to be loved back by a prospective partner which may blur her views and ideas a little.


UNCLE JASON
~~~~~~~~~~~~

The complete opposite to Gran. This robotic like character is reactionary, blinkered and forth right with his opinions although the chances are they never belonged to him in the first place.


TWINKY
~~~~~~~

One of Ray's closest friends. Twinky is loud, proud and not afraid to let people know the real him. Twinky would wear a leotard at a dinner party and smile at anyone who laughed at him for doing so.


NORMAN
~~~~~~~

Swears like a trouper but like Ray- misunderstood. Seems aggressive but he has had to fight for everything including his independence. A loving and caring friend.


MR WILSON
~~~~~~~~~~

Has done a Psychology course and now believes that he was born to be a counsellor. Problem is he did not evisage his first real client (Ray) would question his motives and challenge him.


MANCHESTER MEMORIES
====================


Another thing that is so memorable about this book is the accuracy. Russell describes Manchester with such style and panache that each time he describes a road or an area - locals/visitors to the area will automatically know what he is talking about before he mentions a road or place name. He captures the true essence of Manchester and the people living there as oppose to endlessly decribe it in a flat way - as has been done so many times before. I smiled so many times reading about Failsworth and Wythenshawe but this does not mean that the author is providing readers from Manchester with an in joke. There is so much humour on display here and its universal in its appeal.


ANOTHER SHIRLEY/RITA
=====================


What remains suprising to the reader is that thi
s is Willy Russell's first novel. Although the great man penned Blood Brothers and Shirley Valentine for the stage - this is his debut novel. But if you enjoyed watching Shirley battling her husband's laziness with her wit and wonderful views - via "The Wall" and you warmed to The Johnston Family in Blood Brothers- then you can imagine what a great novelist Willy really is.


Full of twists and turns and and featuring likely lads in highly unlikely situations- The Wrong Boy has humour, a bittersweet after taste and a really satisfying conclusion. I urge you to go and buy it and take a chance on a first time author with a fantastic pedigree for excellent characters and true first class wit.

I read this book in two days flat and could not put it down. I had to in the end- in order to sleep!

The Wrong Boy is priced £6.99 and is available from most bookshops and if you want to spend your dooyoo vouchers - you can buy it from : www.amazon.co.uk

Thanks for reading

Glenn

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