Chris McQueer - Hermit
Attendance options:
We're delighted to be welcoming Chris McQueer to the bookshop for the Edinburgh launch of his debut novel, Hermit. The darkly funny, moving debut novel from acclaimed Scottish author of the short story collections Hings and HWFG.
In-person vouchers can be redeemed on the night of the event against a single copy of Hermit – we will have a list of attendees with vouchers to be redeemed. Please note that only one voucher can be redeemed per book. Livestream vouchers are valid until the day after the event and can be redeemed on our website against a single copy of Hermit.
About Hermit:
Since dropping out of school three years ago with no qualifications, no pals, and no ambition, Jamie Skelton spends most of his days asleep and most of his nights wanking, playing video games with his online friend, Lee, and occasionally making the journey downstairs to the kitchen for a microwave burger. He hasn't left the house in months, and now he's not sure he can.
Fiona, Jamie's maw, is trying her best, but since finding the courage to kick out her abusive husband her confidence has never recovered. She goes to work every day, but otherwise she's not that different from her son – withdrawn from life, without friends. She knows their lives can't carry on like this, but she's at a loss to know how to change things.
When Fiona tries to get Jamie to apply for a job, he sees her as the cause for all of his problems. Then Lee tells Jamie he's realised there's a name for what they are – incels – and that there's a guy he's met through the forums they can go stay with in London, to get away from their nagging mams.
But running away from his problems at home, Jamie may actually run towards something much worse.
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Chris McQueer Author
Chris McQueer is the acclaimed author of the short story collections Hings and HWFG. Stories from Hings were adapted for TV by Chris and shown on BBC Scotland, and he's presented the documentaries Noteworthy with Chris McQueer and Let's Talk About the English, and has also appeared on A View From the Terrace and Damian Barr's Big Scottish Book Club. He won the award for Outstanding Literature at the Herald Scottish Culture Awards 2019 and has had two plays staged. He has delivered workshops in youth clubs, for secondary school pupils, prison inmates, adult learners, and HNC/HND level students. He lives just outside Glasgow. Hermit is his first novel.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.