Product Description

‘Ace Face’ wannabe Dave ‘Mac’ McVane think he’s got it made. At the Friday night disco luscious Joolz, the most shaggable girl in Walsall, invites him to her home on the notorious Jerome K. Jerome estate. But will the woman of his dreams and a ‘real’ saddlemaker’s job in the Happy Stallion make Mac the man he wants to be?

Take a cast list that includes demented Billy-Bob and his twizzler parents, sociopathic Tezza, a boy named Sue, and Brainy Kev, red-wine drinker and swot. Add a pet scorpion and an overdressed Yorkshire terrier to this Black Country brew, vintage 1979, and a pacy comic nightmare takes over.

A crazy week of sex, violence and betrayal gives a hilarious new twist of realism to this intelligent evocation of growing up fast in ‘the ugliest town in the country’.

Oh, and someone gets a duffel-coat toggle rammed up his nose.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #576445 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 213 pages

Synopsis
A brutal and absurd coming-of-age caper 1970s masculinity seen through a sharp modern perspective Defiantly regional; brimful of comic appeal 'Ace Face' wannabe Dave 'Mac' McVane think he's got it made. At the Friday night disco luscious Joolz, the most shaggable girl in Walsall, invites him to her home on the notorious Jerome K. Jerome estate. But will the woman of his dreams and a 'real' saddlemaker's job in the Happy Stallion make Mac the man he wants to be? Take a cast list that includes demented Billy-Bob and his twizzler parents, sociopathic Tezza, a boy named Sue, and Brainy Kev, red-wine drinker and swot. Add a pet scorpion and an overdressed Yorkshire terrier to this Black Country brew, vintage 1979, and a pacy comic nightmare takes over. A crazy week of sex, violence and betrayal gives a hilarious new twist of realism to this intelligent evocation of growing up fast in 'the ugliest town in the country'. Oh, and someone gets a duffel-coai toggle rammed up his nose.

About the Author
Paul McDonald was born in Walsall. He left school at sixteen and worked for nearly ten years as a saddlemaker before going to Birmingham Polytechnic. He now teaches English and American Studies at Wolverhampton University. He still lives in Walsall, from where he travels widely in a so far unsuccessful search to find a place that makes his home town look good. Surviving Sting is his first novel.

Customer Reviews

Surving Sting
This book manages to tell a bizarre story, with bizarre characters, whilst maintaining a level of realism. This alone is a great accomplishment by Paul McDonald. He also manages to tell an interesting and altogether hilarious story, which is irresistable in its charms and excentricities. A must read from one of the most promising new authors in the country.

My mum said, 'It made me laugh' - and like a drain, too
I read Surviving Sting on a train journey through the picturesque Tuscan countryside on my way to Siena. Surrounded by vineyards, beautiful views and the sweet tones of Italian chitter-chatter, I felt like I was in fact on the 51 bus to Walsall surrounded by Yam-Yams. A very vivid and extremely funny book.

An hilarious look at love and life in 1979
Paul McDonald is a genius, its official. This is a superbly comedic novel, which combines intelligent humour with just the right balance of poignancy. The hero Dave McVane (A reluctant intellectual) falls head over heels in love with Jools (the beautiful girl from an ugly estate), and chaos ensues.The characters are wholly believable (especially if one comes from Walsall)and throughought the book, one is compelled to laugh out loud.

The story captures the essence of the late 70's, and whilst reading it one finds oneself almost reliving the past. If you are not old enough to remember that particular period in time,fear not....adolescence never really changes.

I advise anyone to buy this book. You will not be disappointed (Even if you have never heard of Walsall). Anyone who comes from the town, should be more proud of this novel than the "World famous" art gallery!