AMAZON - Check out the reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars - A great read. A must.
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Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
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John knight has written one of the best books ever on the mod scene set in the North of England during the 1960s. He has managed to capture the essence of the times the emotions and hardships of growing up in the '60s for the young who are trying to find their own voices, to escape their parents' world of the '50s.
GRAHAM WILKINSON
...ADDS UP TO A FASCINATING READ
I’ve just re-emerged into the reality of 2018 after spending time totally immersed in 1960’s Bradford and Halifax engrossed in the love affair of two young locals, Jimmy Mack and Effy Halloran. These young lovers found the restrictions and expectations placed on them by family and society created huge problems for them but, throughout, the strength of their love prevailed and conquered all. This may sound flippant, but that would be a very wrong impression of this first novel by John Knight.
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The book is well-written, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of both background and era. The rounded, credible characters are handled with an intense sensitivity, deftly drawing in the reader to discover ever more about the young couple and the web of family, friends, school and church in which they are enmeshed. This all adds up to a fascinating read, set against a knowledgeable background of the music and fashions of the age.
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Although this could be described as a ‘coming-of-age story with teenagers as the two main characters, in my opinion, this is definitely not a book for the young. Instead, it is a book for the ‘grown ups’ of this world, enabling them to dive back into their own past and experience once more the joys, thrills, and anxieties of youth as Jimmy and Effy deal with their emotions, relationships and growing sexual desires.
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I have no hesitation in recommending this book and look forward to further work by this author.
VAL BROWN (Jan 2018)
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IF ROMEO AND JULIET RODE A SCOOTER - A MOD LOVE STORY​
Reviewed in the UK on 20 March 2018
VERIFIED PURCHASE
A teenage love story that is enjoyable and insightful. Made all the more real by the attention to detail by the author. Although the story is about young love set in the 1960s and the hedonistic lives of young Mods - it is really a story meant to show the coming of age and growing up in a time when lives for some families were still dominated by religious fervour and an expectation that did not chime with the more modern ideas of the young - whose outlook on life was very different from their parents.
The main characters at first have to keep their affair secret due to perceived risk of obstruction by their respective families - but as other family revelations transpire and the love blossoms so the young couple get braver.
This book is really for adults who can dip into lives that may mirror their own - no matter the era or generation they are from. The revelation of sex is handled in the manner of erotic fiction, but also written with an adeptness that the reader acknowledges the intimacy of young lovers and their first forays into that new world of discovery. Music and style play a role in the tale as do scooters and the whole obsession with modernism that pervades young souls who are impressionable - it captures in the “Mod” moments the excitement of getting the knowledge and the understanding of what is “cool”. From getting the look right, from listening to the best tunes and making your scooter look the business. It is a book full of moments that are both heartwarming and at other times tragic.
It’s almost a Romeo and Juliet-style tale for Mods - and I for one look forward to whatever John Knight writes next. Read this book and immerse yourself into the revelations of two families and one love
JASON DISLEY (MARCH 2018)
WONDERFUL EVOCATIVE STORY
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2020
VERIFIED PURCHASE
I really enjoyed this book and rarely have I found myself caring for the characters so much. It is a coming-of-age drama set against the beginnings of what will become me known as the Northern Soul scene. Having said that it will appeal to many who were not part of that scene. Deft characterisation and perfect period setting.
ELINOR SALTER
A LITERARY TIME MACHINE
Reviewed in the UK 31 January 2022
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyed it; in fact, it was consumed in one session. A well-written and highly evocative read that is possibly a biography of someone not a million miles away from the author.
.FLIGHTWAY
A LOVE TRIANGLE LIKE NEVER BEFORE
An amazon.co.uk review
Format: Kindle Edition
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GRAHAM WILKINSON (1 JANUARY 2019)
THE UP NORTH MOD GROOVE
An amazon.co.uk review
Format: Kindle Edition
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"Strong Love" continues the on-going story of teenage Mods, Mack, his girlfriend Effy and their friend Angie, who we were introduced to in John's first novel, "Some Kind of Wonderful". Set in the towns of Bradford and Halifax, the book vividly describes the lives of the young people, their friends and families in the thriving Northern Mod scene of the 60's. Like the previous book, the characters are well-rounded and believable and the storyline is inventive and absorbing, as the action moves from the local coffee bars to renowned Mod clubs like Halifax's Plebeians and Manchester's Twisted Wheel, right through the Kings Road in Chelsea.
All in all, it's a great read - entertaining, thought-provoking and moving. The Mod element blends into the story naturally, rather than being a checklist of all the right references and, after so many Mod books set in London around 1964, it makes a change to read a book set up North in a slightly later era. Finally, one nice touch - like the previous book, each chapter heading is the title of a 60's Soul/R&B record, complete with UK label and catalogue number - an attention to detail that any Mod would definitely approve of!
STEVE PILKINGTON (30 NOVEMBER 2018)
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A REWARDING AND ENTERTAINING READ.
An amazon.co.uk review
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"Set in the 60s at the height of modernism, the tale of two love struck teenagers, their hopes, their desires set against a back drop of over zealous religious principles and parental strictness.
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Interwoven with the mid sixties Mod scene, evoking the era in credible detail, the lives of our protagonists are explored, celebrated and realistically drawn.
Can’t wait for the sequel."
MR. M.A. JONES (SEPTEMBER 2018)
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PAPERBACK ISBN 9781788765534
HARDBACK ISBN 9781788765534
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping stuff
Reviewed in the UK 8 July 2022
Following on from the previous books in the Jimmy Mack series this book continues to explore the developing relationships and careers of a group of young adults growing up in the 60’s. And like the previous books it makes for gripping reading. For anyone growing up during that time the story takes you back on a journey through a forgotten era, brought to life through a combination of the authors easy to read style and his attention the smallest detail. For anyone too young to remember those times the story line alone is more than a good enough reason to read it. As for the cliff hanger of an ending, which has you gripping the arms of the chair you are sat in, well saying any more would spoil things. Enough to say I couldn’t get hold of the next book fast enough. RICHARD
5.0 OUT OF 5 STARS. THE NEW BREED IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
Reviewed in the UK on 29 AUGUST 2023. Verified Purchase.
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I have now completed the set of books with Jimmy Mack and the new breed. Got totally engrossed in them. They are a brilliant read well written with some great twists, turns and surprises.
Would I recommend this books…of course, John Knight is a great writer and has got some fantastic characters for you to follow.
NICK RANDALL
Not only is the wheel on fire, so is John Knight!
Reviewed in the UK on 4 December 2022
Oh my days!
So many times when you wait for something, you get disappointed. A gig. An album. Some ordered fashion items. A book.
And then there is the time that expectations are surpassed, leaving you with an explosion of joy and satisfaction that lingers, leaving you with a tinge of sadness in its completion.
You guessed it: This Wheel's On Fire gives you that time.
Mack, Effy, Angie et al continue their sixties' journey into 1968 along with a vast of characters from the time popping up now and then to add to the authenticity of the story - not that the brilliantly crafted words of John Knight need any substantiation.
His style of writing, that I have previously described at MacInnes-esque, brings to mind the kitchen sink dramas such as Georgy Girl, Up The Junction, A Kind Of Loving and Room At The Top, exploring social trends and lifestyles whilst rattling along with an engaging story. And all the while somehow making it relevant to today's literary world.
How he does it, I have no idea, but I am glad he does.
How I wish I could have known Mack, or indeed, even be him.
I'll just have to be content with knowing John Knight through his books, and feeling part of his society of readers.
Join us, my friends, and let us all enjoy Mack and the girls on their journey together.
And let's start that wait (hopefully not a long one) for the next part of the '68 trilogy.
John. The spirit of Colin MacInnes is strong with you. AFC BAGGY
Christmas has come early for me
Reviewed in the UK on 22 December 2023
A new John Knight book is to be enjoyed, and another Jimmy Mack book celebrated - so a pre Xmas arrival of the latest chapter in this whirlwind life that we follow in its pages was not only a surprise but also a complete joy.
Street Fighting Man follows on from This Wheel's On Fire, and once you get to grips with what happened earlier in Knight's 1968 trilogy, his storytelling and attention to detail of the era once again shines on like a crazy diamond. (Pink Floyd's song is about Syd Barrett, who left the band in 1968 - see what I did there!)
Jack's struggles to cope with the demands of his female 'harem' mingle in with other problems inherited from earlier, culminating in a shocking diffuser for us to wait and wonder for.
You little tease, John.
For lovers of 60's mod culture, the Mack series is, as they say in novel land, a must, and Street Fighting Man merely enhances John's reputation as a 21st Century Colin MacInnes.
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AFC BAGGY