Wild Twin
A journey of self-discovery through the streets of Europe.
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Little Toller Books
Published:18th Sep '24
Should be back in stock very soon
This memoir captures a transformative journey in search of identity and belonging, as the author navigates the complexities of life and memory in Wild Twin.
In Wild Twin, Jeff Young, a Costa Prize shortlisted author, takes readers on a poignant journey that begins in Liverpool during the 1970s. He embarks on a quest to discover his 'wild twin,' a shadowy figure representing his desire for freedom and adventure. This memoir unfolds as a vivid exploration of his experiences across Europe, where he encounters a surreal mix of drugs, dive hotels, poverty, and madness. Young's narrative is infused with a sense of longing and the search for identity, as he navigates through a world that often feels chaotic and unforgiving.
As Young slips away from his parents' home, he hitchhikes towards Paris, driven by the hope of finding this elusive version of himself. The journey is fraught with challenges, including rough sleeping and brushes with violence, as he immerses himself in the underbelly of European cities. Each experience serves as a reflection of his inner turmoil, illustrating the struggle between his dreams and the harsh realities of life on the fringes.
Ultimately, Wild Twin is more than just a memoir; it is a hallucinatory love letter to the cities that shaped him. Returning to present-day Liverpool, Young confronts his past while caring for his ailing father, weaving together themes of loss, memory, and the complexities of familial relationships. This extraordinary work resonates with anyone who has ever felt lost or sought a deeper understanding of themselves.
'A moving panorama of vivid detail and rapid Kerouac sketching culled from one life with its pains and epiphanies.' Iain Sinclair
'There are obvious comparisons to be made with Patrick Leigh Fermor's A Time of Gifts...Bouth journeys were recalled in middle age and were exercises in vagrant penury, sleeping in fields and barns and accepting the charity of strangers.' Charlie Connelly, New European.
ISBN: 9781915068408
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown