Book description
The protagonist of Hanif Kureishi's delightful novel is Gabriel, a
fifteen-year-old North London schoolboy trying to come to terms with a
new life, after the equilibrium of his family home has been shattered
by the ousting of his father. Fending for himself, as well as
providing emotional support to his confused (and confusing) parents,
Gabriel is forced to grow up quickly. The only support he can draw
upon is from his remembered twin brother, Archie, and from his own
'gift', which is accompanied by sensations that urge him into areas of
life requiring the utmost courage and faith. A chance visit to
seventies rock star Lester Jones crystallizes the turbulent emotions
inside Gabriel, and helps him to recognize and engage with his gift .
. . 'A charming, light-textured fable about talent, about how
single-minded creativity might embrace and even be buoyed by the
heartbreaking muddle of everyday life.' Observer
Hanif Kureishi is the author of novels (including The Buddha of
Suburbia, The Black Album and most recently Something to Tell You),
story collections (Love in a Blue Time, Midnight All Day, The Body),
plays (including Outskirts, Borderline and Sleep With Me), and
screenplays (including My Beautiful Laundrette, My Son the Fanatic and
Venus). Among his other publications are the collection of essays
Dreaming and Scheming, The Word and the Bomb and the memoir My Ear at
his Heart.
