About this book:

Meet Derruck Danyul Riley and his best mate, Gal. This tale of two inseparable Scottish lads follows their scrapes ‘rowin’ up in Coatbrid’e, from e-huntin’ to outrunning’ the fearsome Bricklayer. Life in Coatbrid’e is not always fun and ‘ames, thou’h, and the boys learn what friendship truly means in the face of dan’er. Des Dillon’s award-winnin’ debut perfectly captures the vitality and intensity of boyhood friendship, as well as paintin’ a vivid picture of contemporary Scotland.

Reviews:

‘Not since Ulysses or the work of Alain Fournier have I come across such a satisfying evocation of a single day, of childhood, of friendship, community and the world. Authentic, assured and accomplished, natural, here is that rare thing – a writer who is imaginative and is a breath of fresh air.‘ - GEORGE GUN

‘...reminded me of Twain and Kerouac… a story told with wonderful verve, immediacy and warmth.’ - EDWIN MORGAN

‘A gem of a book… proves that an industrial childhood can provide as magically diverse and as wonderful an experience as anything in Swallows and Amazons.’ - JAMES REID BAXTER

‘A brilliant debut filled with ironic revelation.’ - THE TIMES

‘Quite simply, spot on. ‘ - BIG ISSUE IN SCOTLAND

‘Nobody has done that kind of Scottish childhood better. Maybe not any childhood. In the future, when we make contact with alien races and start swapping cultural treasures, it doesn't matter what the aliens look like. If they were ever children, they'll "get" Me and Ma Gal.’ - GREGOR STEELE, a teacher