Published by Penguin
Now this is a tough book but an absolute corker.
Unflinching, real and one that truly reflects the time in which we live. Jammy and Sonny McGann are two brothers from a sink estate in the north of England. To escape, Jammy signs up to the Army, alongside his loyal mate Tommo. Younger brother Sonny is left behind, to hold the fort, keep things going; look after things in his big brother’s absence. Trouble is he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder; definitely one from the ‘I know my rights’ and ‘I’m so hard done by’ generation. Frankly he does not shower himself in glory. He gets involved in a robbery, breaks the rules by selling off the gear on another gang’s patch and this leads to a whole host of trouble.
Across the world in Helmand, Jammy is facing the reality of what it means to be ‘a hero’ and discovers, of course, that the system stinks. Earle portrays the experience here with heart-breaking clarity; ‘we weren’t on the PlayStation anymore…’
What happens after the pair befriend a young Afghan, a gifted footballer they dub Little Wayne (after Rooney) leads to a shocking and tense climax that leaves Jammy wracked with guilt and anger; setting off the chain of events that gallops to a painful denouement back home.
Earle writes superbly; his stark narrative style, and simple language capturing the voices of a generation. Brilliant. Must read.