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Living Nowhere

A tale of friendship and violence in a new town

John Burnside author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Vintage Publishing

Published:3rd Jun '04

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Living Nowhere cover

This story set in Corby reveals the complexities of friendship amid violence, as two boys navigate their lives in a new industrial town. Living Nowhere explores their journey.

In the industrial town of Corby, a vast steel works serves as both a beacon of hope and a source of hidden dangers. Many are drawn to its furnaces, seeking steady employment, better living conditions, and a chance for a fresh start. However, beneath its surface lies a pervasive atmosphere of violence, lurking like the ash and fumes that permeate the air. As tensions rise, the inevitable eruption of violence brings sudden and devastating consequences, leaving a lasting impact on the community and its inhabitants.

Among those seeking a new life in Corby are Francis Cameron, a young man from Scotland, and Jan Ruckert, the son of Latvian refugees. Both feeling alienated in this foreign land, they forge a deep and enduring friendship, navigating the challenges of adolescence together. Their bond is strengthened by their shared experiences and curiosity about the world around them. However, as they attempt to find their footing, the shadow of violence looms ever closer, threatening to shatter their newfound connection.

Living Nowhere explores themes of friendship, loss, and the complexities of growing up in a tumultuous environment. The narrative unfolds with a beautiful yet haunting secret at its core, making it a resonant and thrilling read that captures the essence of youth and the harsh realities of life in an industrial town.

The savagery of Burnside's subject matter is finely juxtaposed with the mellifluous and redemptive beauty of his prose. A darkly compelling read * Time Out *
Burnside's prose is exquisite * Sunday Times *
In Living Nowhere, Burnside twins his poetic and storytelling talents as never before to produce a novel full of intrigue, atmosphere and startling imagery... Burnside is fond of the term alchemist; it applies to no one more than himself * Glasgow Herald *
John Burnside is a mighty writer... this is writing to stun the sentence, halt the mind...This is the gaze of John Burnside. The burning gaze of a poet: intense, peculiar, off-kilter and deeply interesting... A mighty achievement * Sunday Herald *

ISBN: 9780099448556

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 24mm

Weight: 267g

384 pages