Thanks to #TheWriteReads and Penguin Books for making this book available to me as part of the Blog Tour.

I have not read a book like this before and I doubt I will ever read anything like this again. This book shines a spotlight on toxic masculinity and what it really means. I mean the title of this book is a whole complexity in itself. Man Down, we are used to hearing people tell guys to Man Up, usually when it comes to doing something associated with bravery that is typically coupled with misogyny and toxic masculinity. when we hear Man Down, it usually means that we have one less person, so in either case (Man Up or Man Down), there is a general assumption of masculine bravery or masculine generalization of the public. The title of this book captures the complexities of the emotions of Will Parks.

At the start of this book we meet Will Parks who unlike other men in his small town does not feel the need to join or start pub fights that could be solved with a simple sorry or apology. But people want a scene and when he doesn't give them that he is a 'pussy', not man enough. We see Will defy the norms, unwilling to put on a fake face of bravery despite everyone around him edging him to pretend, from the boys at school to his father and brother. You either fight or you are gay. This bring me to the second point, homophobia, I loved how James was able to reveal the strings between toxic masculinity and homophobia. From the 'Bro' jokes to the need to please, using Will's own mother to highlight this fear was great.

With all this teenage things happening (GSCE's, secondary school problems, friendships, love and his sudden attraction to another boy) to Will, he begins to notice that someone is watching him. People start walking up to him and thanking him for a act of bravery and kindness he doesn't remember doing. With his beloved gran suddenly in the hospital, saying things that he doesn't understand, warming him of something to come, Will is sure that something more is happening in the town. With his visions of the future, he knows that something is coming and he might be the only one to stop it. Will he be the hero the town need? can he even be the hero the town needs? He the overlooked? the underappreciated?

Until the very last moment when 'Will Jumps', he himself cannot believe that he choose to be the hero that no one remembers.

This book is certainly a heavy read but one I think a lot of people should read because it unveils not just the realities of toxic masculinity but the minute ways that we promote it and the devastating effect it can have not just on one life but an entire community.

Do look out for the trigger warning, homophobia, death, attempted rape, underage sex, attempted suicide etc.

I read and reviewed this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser for having me on this tour, and thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Trigger warnings: drug use, arson, violence, sex and attempted sex with a minor (on page and mentioned), attempted suicide (on page and flashbacks), homophobia, train crash.

Man Down by James Goodhand is a YA contemporary book that discusses growing up in a less than perfect town, insecurities, toxic masculinity, sexism and discovering your true self. As I just mentioned, this is not the kind of book I gravitate towards, but I wanted to give it a chance. While I don’t think I understood or enjoyed this book to its full potential because of my reading tastes, I do have to tell you that it is bloody well written and the end made me such a nervous wreck.

This book is set in Ebbswick, a back-water fairly deprived and poor town where Will is growing up. Will is our main character and I liked him from the first page because he is humble, honest, kind, caring and he isn’t all “Look at me, look at how manly I am”. That’s just not who he is. His brother, Danny, however, is totally “a man” with atrocious behaviour towards women and the majority of the time he thinks he is something special and wonderful where he just looks like a twit, pardon my French. I really don’t like characters like Danny’s, although I do have to admit that it was really well written. I can’t speak for all women reading this book, but all instances of toxic masculinity, be it from Danny, from Mick Touch, from Will’s father, and many more, just unnerved me and made me feel so ill-at-ease, so it was definitely written in a very realistic and almost scary way.

This is a more character-driven kind of book. Even though a lot of things happen over a long period of time, it doesn’t feel that long, and it doesn’t feel like that much happens just because there is such focus on Will, his character, his questions, his doubts, his growth. I liked reading about what goes through his head, but I also just wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be fine. He is a very loveable character and I definitely felt for him in his very hard moments.

I don’t want to spoil anyone, hence the short version of my review, but there was an instance in the book which kept repeating and which I did not understand until at least the 70% mark, and I have to say it was both weird and fascinating. I just wanted to know more. I would say there is a definite “supernatural” or “otherworldly” element to this story which I was really not expecting and which threw me a bit. I think it was really clever how the author wound this in with the book even though it did leave me confused for the majority of the story.

There is a kind of, if not oppressive, then very unnerving atmosphere throughout this book. We all know that something terrible is going to happen at the end, as proven by all the messages than Will gets through various other characters, and the bad things that do happen, but I did NOT expect that ending. For the last 20% of the book, I felt physically sick and so stressed because everything was coming to a head and it was chaos and I was just praying that Will and everyone else would be fine. The end is definitely what got the 4 stars from me because it was so well written and because of the reactions it got from me.

Overall, I did end up enjoying this book even though it took me quite a while to get into, to understand, to “properly” enjoy because I was a bit sceptical of the supernatural element of the story and just didn’t understand it. I think that was the author’s aim though, because I tell you, once you do understand and once everything kicks off, it is a fire-blazing race to the finish which just left me open-mouthed.

It was so, so well written. I don’t expect such beautiful prose and transitions in YA contemporary anymore, my bad, because this just knocked my socks off. James Goodhand has such a way with words and even though for 70% of the book I was not sure about it and my feelings towards it, he kept me reading, I just couldn’t stop.

I loved Will so much and it was so lovely seeing him grow and not “man up” but instead become himself, evolve and become the good and kind person he was meant to be from the start. I totally see why this book is called “Man Down” and think it was a very good title choice. His character breaks down the barriers of what a man should be, of what people see men as, be it how they behave or what they think. I think the way toxic masculinity was approached was so clever and realistic. I also have to mention Will’s Nain and Alfie, who were also characters I enjoyed reading about.

I gave this book 4 stars and even though I had my doubts about it, I did end up enjoying it and that ending was just terrifying, amazing, awful, so well-written, and just WOW. I still can’t quite wrap my head around it, but I think it does give me hope.

If you love the unusual YA contemporaries that have a bit of something extra, interesting and loveable characters, discussions on toxic masculinity, sexism, homophobia, insecurities and finding oneself, and if you love poignant, sensitive and beautiful writing, then Man Down by James Goodhand is definitely the book for you.

Thank you The Write Reads for the chance to be on the book tour for Man Down by James Goodhand.

Man Down is a young adult book that came out this year. It was published by Penguin, and despite the paperback being 400 pages, Man Down is a very quick read.

I’m struggling to write a review that doesn’t contain too many spoilers, so if you want to avoid any chance of those I recommend you just read the blurb and buy the book! I’m leaving it a solid 4 stars!

Will Parks, our main character is getting really odd messages. The messages help his friends and family avoid some really catastrophic situations; although it’s the messages that help him get friends in the first place.

Will was an odd main, I rarely remember reading about a character who was this non-confrontational. I also had to remind myself to not judge him at a point; after all he is a child. I shouldn’t sit there and think that as a dude he needs to be more aggressive, when I know I’m still not expected to be.

But I also loved how the messages helped him grow a bit and come into his own. Will is shown to be a talented, likable person, who struggled and got caught up in his own head with people around him who were so much more out there. Will is able to save that girl, which had nothing to do with the messages, but a lot to do with his quick thinking.

I didn’t see the twist of who the messages were coming from until close to the end, and even then I wasn’t a hundred percent sure, which I liked. I also love that he does get a chance to do it all over.

If Will was real, I’d like to tell him I’m rooting for him.

I wanted to love this book, as I really enjoyed the authors debut novel, which came out in April 2020. However, I just didn't. I found myself not caring for any of the characters, and felt like they could have been fleshed out more. The plot, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't engage with, and I couldn't get on with the writing style.

I have my fingers crossed that I enjoy what this author writes next though.

What I loved
This is truly an incredible, emotional and powerful book that unearths toxic masculinity and really tugs at the heart strings. I was so consumed by Will’s story that I genuinely didn’t want it to end. I didn’t expect this book to have such an effect but with its uneasy and unsettling moments there is still a beautiful atmosphere about Man Down that undeniably makes it one of a kind.

The Story
I did have a bit of a slow start with this book and it did take me a few chapters to really understand the concept of what is going on. However, I think this is partly my fault for trying to race ahead through the story which was a mistake. After I slowed down and gave it my undivided attention I couldn’t get enough and I was hanging on every word because I was so intrigued with the kind of psychological things that were happening.

I do like it when authors explore dark themes because I am captivated by the raw emotions that the characters feel and I I think they were written exceptionally well here. It really left an impact on me as a reader and it helped me actually understand how they may be feeling, especially Will. Just to warn you, there are a lot of dark themes in this book as themes such as suicide, drug addiction, and traumatic accidents are written about so it may not be for you if certain events like this are triggering for you.

The Characters
Will is an absolute darling and my heart breaks for him. I love his character and I really wanted him to thrive and not succumb to all the toxic masculinity that is around him. I really enjoyed seeing him become brave in his own way that made him comfortable but at the same time was still extremely helpful to those around him, he just needed a bit of guidance to get there.

All the other characters played an important part in this book and I found them all very realistic. There wasn’t a time when I didn’t want there to be another character there, apart from the side characters who have no consideration for anyone but themselves. But again, this just adds to the realism of the whole thing.

Overall Thoughts
Overall, Man Down is an extremely clever and powerful that will still leave you thinking about it constantly after you’ve read it. It was intense, shocking and full of drama that will make it impossible to put down. I must admit a few tears were leaked through reading and I would love to read it again but I don’t think it would have the same effect the second time around. Hopefully I am wrong though because I will be reading this again and I am very excited to read more from James Goodhand as well!

Rating: 5/5

Book source ~ Tour

Will Parks is 6’5” and you’d think he’d be intimidating. He’s not. He hates violence, so he gets stepped on. A lot. He wishes, with all his might, that he could be different. But he just isn’t. Until one day, things change.

Something weird is going on in Will’s neck of the woods, but he has no idea what. Someone is following him, but he’s only vaguely aware. And by vaguely, I mean subconsciously. Will is a pushover. A wimp. No. A gigantic wimp. Yeesh. Talk about being a doormat. His older brother Danny is, in contrast, a ginormous tool. Gross. His family is completely dysfunctional. The only one he cares about, who cares back for him, is his Nain (grandma). But she’s got serious health issues and probably won’t be around much longer. That’s something Will tries not to think about. He also tries not to think about the girl he has a crush on because his brother Danny is banging her. Ugh. That’s really got to suck.

Anyway, there’s this person following him about, he’s got a crush on a new girl, and now he’s starting to act all out of character. What the hell is going on? What’s coming? What’s so urgent that it's a matter of life or death? And why Will? He’s proven himself to be no hero, so why is he chosen to change things? All excellent questions that are answered in good time. They unroll slowly as I learn about Will and his life in Ebbswick-on-Sea. And it’s not an exciting life. In fact, it’s pretty dismal. But Will keeps plodding along. Eventually, he changes. Bit by bit until even he is surprised. And then…it all comes to a head.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book. It’s a run-of-the-mill coming of age story, but there’s something else to it. And the only way to find out is to keep reading. Will’s story swings back and forth between depressing to hopeful to bewildering and back all over again. At times I grew frustrated with the lack of progress on the mystery/paranormal front, but all-in-all it’s worth it for the ending alone. Wow. My mind is going 100 miles an hour now and I can’t stop thinking about it. What does it all mean? You’ll have to read it to find out.

I’m not sure I really know what I thought of this book. Where it’s sometimes easy to compress your thoughts into a review, I cannot for this one. I feel like I’m still processing the end.
It was a surprisingly philosophical book - I was kind of just expecting a contemporary with a supernatural twist. Instead, it made my brain work a lot. Will has a lot of deep conversations with those around him that come to bear importance in this life, and it’s rewarding to see how the results of these conversations play in his life.
Will was an interesting main character. As he reflects on what he’s been told it means to “be a man”, we get to see what he does to “man up”. I like that he explored this in his own way. He didn’t become brutish and intimidating, picking every fight he could find, he just became brave enough to fight for the things he believed in. I really enjoyed seeing the friendship he built with Alfie, where both could be honest and vulnerable.
“Will Parks is no longer alone. This is the precise instant it begins. He is being watched. Followed. Everywhere. And he won’t be alone again until The End.”

CW: Elderly grandparent, homophobia, sex with a minor (mentioned), attempted sex with a minor (on page), suicide (on page), attempted suicide (on page), suicidal thoughts, train accident, drug use, drug addiction, fire/arson, divorce

It was a difficult book to read in terms of trigger warnings. There were a lot. I’ve tried to list them all above, but please feel free to message me if you have more questions.
The end felt… not dramatic, but maybe shocking? I’m not sure how to describe it. It really ramped the stakes up and you could feel time racing against Will. I don’t think I expected what happened to happen, nor for the supernatural presence to be what it was, but it kind of makes you look back on the rest of the book with different eyes.

Utterly original.

This is the story of Will.

A son, a brother, a grandson even. But beyond that, he is a young man trying to navigate his socially awkward self through some tough times.

The underlying subject of this tale is toxic masculinity.

And it is done so well.

It poses the question to the reader, can you even be a hero if no one actually knows about it?

Powerful.

Emotional.

Compelling.

This is a novel that for me, was completely unexpected.

I really enjoyed how the author explored everything. Dark at times, it was refreshing to read things from a male perspective. The peer pressure, the idea that you can't do the right thing for fear of being humiliated.

It sat on the edge of being both a YA and an adult novel with its subject matter.

Man Down is a thoughtful story.

I can't say that I've really read anything like it before. It's described as being ideal for fans of The End of the F***ing World and I think that is a good comparison as they are both quite unique in their delivery.

For me, it gets a massive thumbs up.

Will struggles to be "the man" his father, brother and other people expect him to be. However, through a series of life-changing events, he learns to be his own person.
I really enjoyed the story and the unusual angle that prompts Will to step out of his shell to take action when required - but not in the stereotypical way expected by those around him. It tackles the issue of toxic masculinity, showing that there isn't only one way to behave to be a man.

I did struggle, however, with the frequent use of the f-word. I can tolerate some swearing but I don't feel able to purchase this book for our library, given most readers are under 14, hence only 4 stars instead of 5.

I enjoyed this, but it was a little repetitive. I wasn't keen on the ending, but that's personal taste. The characters were well written, and the writing style was good for the most part

This was an interesting concept and a great look at toxic masculinity and the pressures on teenage boys. It didn't grab me as much as I'd hoped though, at least not until the last 25%.

I thought I'd really enjoy this - supernatural tip offs! Mystery! Danger! A guy stepping up when he needs to step up!

But no. It wasn't engaging, the mystery wasn't intriguing. I found myself skimming bits. And the ending just seems to imply that nothing will change, it'll just keep going around again and again. Maybe we're supposed to think that since things are a little better this time, they'll keep getting better until they finally go right? But there's nothing to explain that in the novel.

It's not an awful novel, it's a clever concept, it just didn't do it for me, I'm afraid.

This is a curious book which seems to sit somewhere between YA and adult fiction but isn't quite sure which it is aiming for. The central premise is interesting - what if you feel someone or something is trying to warn you about the future? How would you respond? My initial interest wore off halfway through and, although I read to the end I wasn't fully invested. (Copy received via Netgalley in return for an honest review)