The Grip
Or What Happens When Sex Ruins Everything
by Andrew Craft
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Pub Date 7 Aug 2022 | Archive Date 18 Oct 2022
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Description
A boy and his guitar, stuck in Cambridge, England in 1978, getting sex, drugs and rock and roll spectacularly wrong.
Cambridge, England, 1978: Tom Hopkins would love to play slide guitar in a band, but the New Wave is cresting, Disco is on its way in and slide is strictly for dinosaurs. 18 and insanely handsome, he could have anyone he wants, but projects his crippling fear of rejection onto women he doesn’t fancy, but who want to sleep with him. Terrified of drowning in guilt for refusing their advances and hurting their feelings, he has sex with them anyway.
After he joins The Grip, a New Wave outfit modelled after the B-52’s, Tom soon discovers they are all as screwed up about sex and love as he is: Colin (bass) is stuck in an open marriage that he wishes were closed; Tristram (vocals) can’t stop having anonymous hook-ups; his girlfriend Evelyn (keyboards) bullies him daily, and Ron Bains (drums) won’t let his wife out of his sight.
Enter Nisha Chavada, a militant squatter in an enclave of ancient houses resisting demolition and redevelopment. She terrorizes Tom into sleeping with her then starts managing The Grip. It looks like they could be headed for a record deal and the big time, but their tangled lives unravel at their very first London gig when a riot breaks out, destroying the venue and all the band’s hopes.
In the aftermath, Tom must decide whether to stay in Cambridge as the New Wave crashes and Disco takes over the world, or get out and go where his heart tells him he must.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 000B0B529RY4D |
| PRICE | US$2.99 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Louise G, Reviewer
There is a lot of humour in this book, albeit a little dark, but there is also something fundamentally tragic about it, too. Looking beyond the story itself, there are some very human concepts about life, opportunity and choices which will resonate with many. Also compelling is the evocative way the author takes us back in time to a fascinating era.
Piper P, Reviewer
The Grip
Or What Happens When Sex Ruins Everything
by Andrew Craft
This book contains a lot of humour, albeit a little dark humour, but it also contains something fundamentally tragic. Beyond the story, there are some very human concepts about life, opportunity, and choices that will strike a chord with many. The author's evocative way of transporting us to a fascinating era is also compelling.Looking for his rock and roll dream, Tom stumbles upon a romantic relationship with the beautiful and impressive Nisha Chavada. Perhaps the most interesting character in her novels, Nisha has looks, brains, ambitions, and a social conscience. She rides a cool motorcycle, but she prefers living with squatters in a seedy neighborhood about to be demolished. After seducing Tom, she quickly takes over the management of The Grips and leads them to success.
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Sharah M, Reviewer
The Grip is set in Cambridge, England in 1978 and follows the life of Tom Hopkins, a young gorgeous guitarist. Tom has recently finished high school and refuses to go to college. He is stuck in a laboring job that he hates and endures harassment from his co-workers. Despite his good looks, Tom has no confidence when it comes to women. When Tom is accepted as a member of a New Wave band things look to be improving for him however, along comes Nisha Chavada, a motorbike riding, social activist and squatter. Nisha takes control 0f managing the band and she also takes control of Tom's life! This story had some very unlikable characters and a few grotty scenes that had me cringing but overall it was an interesting story set in an era that I enjoy reading about. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my digital copy.
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