Top of the Sixties by David Ayres
The fourteen stories in Top of the Sixties celebrate a delightful world with the firm belief in progress, new youth culture and boundless optimism that define the 1960s. David Ayres has a unique way of describing the lives of ordinary people, full of humour and empathy. His stories often contain an underlying hint of sensuality. Through a colourful parade of characters we are shown what matters in life. Take, for example, fifteen-year-old Keith, who is working on Mr Davies' van, the grumpy yet good-hearted fruit and veg man, or Alastair, who is trying to find his feet in his first teaching job at a local comprehensive school. The quest for love, by the young and not so young, is masterfully woven into these tales by an experienced storyteller. David Ayres has caught the mood of an era wonderfully, and although change is in the air, he also cleverly shows that certain things remain the same. The stories will generate a smile of recognition on the faces of readers who remember the 1960s. Yet readers of any age will recognise the universal emotions they convey, such as the painful self-consciousness only teenagers can feel or the appearance of love at any age. This collection really puts its finger on what makes people tick. Each story can be read on its own, but together they paint a vivid picture of life in a small, tightly-knit working-class town in the Midlands during the 1960s.
'Ayres's portrayals of the inhabitants of this Midlands backwater are often touching and sympathetic.. his dialogue is excellent' - The Short Review 'From beginning to end, David Ayres shows his remarkable talent for description. His openings evoke strong imagery, while his characters are full of life.' - Zouch Magazine The book brought back those school days and the teenage angst about how to look cool, part time jobs, full time jobs, dating and the minefield that went with it. Thanks for a great read and for bringing those memories back to life.' - editor FuerteNews 'Much of what Ayres has to say about youthful exuberance, teenage angst and finding ones place in the world are universal.' 'I thought of Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own as I read of a boy surveying his room in 'Out of the Box'.' - Karenlee Thompson on her blog 'I really enjoyed the stories - very atmospheric.' - Catherine Best, editor 'Top of the Sixties is an interestingly constructed book and an easy read' 'I did chuckle remembering the whole-life experience of getting a 'Short back and sides' in a local men-only barber's shop, I could almost smell the Brylcreem!' - David Elliot reviewing for Red Cap
David Ayres was a language teacher for many years and held several Head of Languages posts at secondary schools in the West Midlands, before turning his attention to special needs education. He began writing poetry and short stories at an early age and won an award for English literature at school when he was just seventeen. David's work has been published regularly in magazines and anthologies and writing is still his passion in life. Although he has retired from the day job he continues writing because, as he tells people, he can't help it. His main reason for writing has always been in order to be read. David is currently living in Lichfield in Staffordshire.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781907320095 |
| ISBN 10 | 1907320091 |
| Title | Top of the Sixties |
| Author | David Ayres |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Holland Park Press |
| Year published | 2011-10-03 |
| Number of pages | 160 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |