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The Former Boy Wonder is a bittersweet comedy that takes a sidelong look at first love, fathers and sons, and fidelity. With an irresistible plot and an impeccable sense of place and time, Robert Graham asks if it's ever too late to grow up. It’s a rainy August in Manchester and music writer Peter Duffy’s life is falling apart. He’s knocking on fifty, his career is flatlining, his marriage is failing, and his teenage son barely speaks to him. And then a friend from university days invites him to a party at the manor house where he met his first love, the dazzling Sanchia Page. All the old gang are going to be there, and although it's a long shot, maybe she will, too, which wouldn’t be helpful. Or would it? 'Warm, funny and affecting. A page-turning delight.' -CAROLINE SMAILES, author of Mrs Van Gogh 'I kept picturing lipstick traces on a cigarette and hearing late-night records, the kind you play to conjure up a golden age. This wonder boy’s song brings a romantic’s past to life on the page and reveals the secret fears behind it.' -JEFF YOUNG, Costa Award shortlisted author of Ghost Town 'A wonder of a novel' -JAMES RICE, author of Alice and the Fly
The Former Boy Wonder is a bittersweet comedy that takes a sidelong look at first love, fathers and sons, and fidelity. With an irresistible plot and an impeccable sense of place and time, Robert Graham asks if it's ever too late to grow up.
It’s a rainy August in Manchester and music writer Peter Duffy’s life is falling apart. He’s knocking on fifty, his career is flatlining, his marriage is failing, and his teenage son barely speaks to him.
And then a friend from university days invites him to a party at the manor house where he met his first love, the dazzling Sanchia Page. All the old gang are going to be there, and although it's a long shot, maybe she will, too, which wouldn’t be helpful. Or would it?
'Warm, funny and affecting. A page-turning delight.' -CAROLINE SMAILES, author of Mrs Van Gogh
'I kept picturing lipstick traces on a cigarette and hearing late-night records, the kind you play to conjure up a golden age. This wonder boy’s song brings a romantic’s past to life on the page and reveals the secret fears behind it.' -JEFF YOUNG, Costa Award shortlisted author of Ghost Town
'A wonder of a novel' -JAMES RICE, author of Alice and the Fly