I honestly don't know where to start with this novel. A genuinely beautiful, heartbreaking, life affirming novel full of angst, debauchery, drugs, love, sex and confusion.

It's an interesting start to the novel when we learn that Jake is dead, having survived two car crashes which David (or Theron to Jake) was present for only to succumb to a third. Right away, we are hit with a punch. In most novels where there is a death of a main character, this would come towards to latter part of the story when the reader has developed a connection and feelings for the character. That tends to hit hard. Here, where we know nothing of Jake in the first few pages, the death can't possibly hit as hard.

Furthermore, it also takes away that element of unknowing, of the reader asking themselves whether they will have a happy ending.

However, Thompson really makes this work and I am not sure I can quite explain why.

We first meet David and Jake as a 15 year old and 17 year old respectively when they both work in the same dead end job, both seeking a connection and coming from a background of divorced parents and a troubled relationship with them.

The friendship between them is instant, they love the same music, same interests (and the same drugs) and it is clear that David's feelings may go a little deeper at this point.

The novel then progresses as David and Jake grow older, they grow closer and then apart and then together but the bond between them, whilst indefinable, is always there in various guises.

Although we know from page 1, or indeed the synopsis, where the story ends, Thompson's writing in getting us there is nothing short of majestic. The writing is so assured for a debut novel that I couldn't quite believe it was one. There is nothing overly pretentious or flamboyant about the style of writing but Thompson just writes in a way that makes such a connection with the reader. Simple, yet deep, funny but not hilarious. He has such a relatable way of delving into relationships you will see yourself or someone on every page.

Honestly, I can't rave about this book enough and wish it all the success it deserves. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Pan Macmillan, Picador for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Can definitely see the value in this. For many teens, especially those who are troubled, drink and drugs are their method of escape. It was just too much for me and I got a bit fed up with it.

Could feel for the characters and their longings, troubles and confusion. But, also just found this book really frustrating and bleak for the most part.

Three car crashes. Jake only survived two. The self-destructiveness from Family Meal meets the recklessness from Summer Sons meets the toxicity from These Violent Delights.

Anyone’s Ghost is about two lonely boys, fifteen and seventeen, when they meet, both having divorced parents living in different states, sharing a love for Metal, and smoking lots and lots of weed. And keeping shut about that one thing lingering between them.

The story starts when Theron David Alden, Davey, or David for his parents, Theron for Jake, is going to attend Jake’s funeral. Three times is a charm. But not for Jake because he didn’t survive that third crash.

Told in a flashback from the moment the boys met in 2005, Anyone’s Ghost is a story that weirdly pulls at you and forces you to surrender while you actually want to shake your head and shout NO, NO, NO at those two reckless and self-destructive teens. It made me stop reading so many times and just sit still and stare into the distance. Or write notes. And write more notes.

This novel is not for the faint of heart. Smoking weed while working, stealing from their employer, driving intoxicated. Check, check, and double check.

Excitement ran through my body while reading; I even felt a little obsessed after only a few pages and loved the first half, even with all that recklessness and self-destruction. I started to care about Theron and Jake, those two boys being the furthest from tenderness as they could be but needing it the most. And underneath all the grittiness and messiness lay a strong bond.

But when the years went by, and they met each other for the second time, I suddenly was kind of done with the use of drugs and drinking. I understood Theron’s infatuation with Jake but not the constant intoxication. I gave all the books mentioned above a glorious five stars and expected to rave about Anyone’s Ghost for a long time, too. But although the story still pulled at me, it also started to push me away. Those two lonely souls might have been in love, but they also brought out the worst in each other.

Then, suddenly, tears shone in my eyes when I was reading the last chapters. And now I have no clue how to rate this book. I will never forget the loneliness of those two boys/men. But I also got a little lost in their story. Because I have to rate it here, I’m going for four stars, but I might change it in the future. I will leave my rating on Goodreads blank for now.

Dnf at 7% gone. Couldn't cope with stoner teens. Plus the formatting if the ARzc likely didn't help.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me a copy.