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"A tender exploration of the dynamics of family and self-discovery" Beige Magazine
A short story by Justin David
Jamie likes knitting and it's the 1980s, the West Midlands, he's on the cusp of adolescence and he cannot understand the gulf between the lives of the pop stars in his scrapbook and his own humdrum existence. He's always sought the approval of the grown-ups around him but now he's starting to question Why is Uncle Freddy so mean? And what is Grandad's problem? A story for anyone who's ever felt different.
A short story by Justin David
Jamie likes knitting and it's the 1980s, the West Midlands, he's on the cusp of adolescence and he cannot understand the gulf between the lives of the pop stars in his scrapbook and his own humdrum existence. He's always sought the approval of the grown-ups around him but now he's starting to question Why is Uncle Freddy so mean? And what is Grandad's problem? A story for anyone who's ever felt different.
15 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2013
5 people want to read
About the author
Justin David
20 books94 followersJUSTIN DAVID is a writer and artist living and working in East London. After graduating from the MA Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmiths College he completed a London novel, ‘The Pharmacist’, set in Shoreditch, about pleasure seekers derailed and looking for love in the wrong place.
His debut novella, The Pharmacist, will be released on June 1st by SALT Publishing as one of the first acquisitions in their Modern Dreams series.
Justin teaches and consults in the Arts in London and has advised the education department of the National Gallery on their schools provision. He is also a regular speaker on their Take One Picture programme.
His writing has appeared in numerous magazines, including Beige Magazine, Gay Times and short story anthologies: ‘The Next Wave’, Millivres, 2001, ‘City Secrets’, Crocus Books, 2002,‘Polari Online Magazine’, 2009, ‘Even More Tonto Short Stories’, Tonto, 2010. He has read at Royal Festival Hall for Paul Burston’s gay literary salon, Polari.
His photographic works have appeared on the pages of many magazines including: Time Out, Beige, Out There, Gay Times, Attitude, QX, GlitterWolf, Fluid, Pink Paper, Muso and Classical Music Magazine.
His debut novella, The Pharmacist, will be released on June 1st by SALT Publishing as one of the first acquisitions in their Modern Dreams series.
Justin teaches and consults in the Arts in London and has advised the education department of the National Gallery on their schools provision. He is also a regular speaker on their Take One Picture programme.
His writing has appeared in numerous magazines, including Beige Magazine, Gay Times and short story anthologies: ‘The Next Wave’, Millivres, 2001, ‘City Secrets’, Crocus Books, 2002,‘Polari Online Magazine’, 2009, ‘Even More Tonto Short Stories’, Tonto, 2010. He has read at Royal Festival Hall for Paul Burston’s gay literary salon, Polari.
His photographic works have appeared on the pages of many magazines including: Time Out, Beige, Out There, Gay Times, Attitude, QX, GlitterWolf, Fluid, Pink Paper, Muso and Classical Music Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 21, 2013
I don't know, this really didn't do anything for me. I found it to be boring and a bit confusing as it was written. I really didn't enjoy it. ::shrugs::
April 24, 2013
This was rather a sad look at what life could be like back in the 80’s.
Being a Britt I could easily get into this story, and my heart was pulled at the end. But so typical I think of a Grandfather back then.
My main complaint was not knowing the age of Jamie. At times he seemed in early teens and at others more like 7 or 8.
Would love to see this rounded out into a full novel.
Being a Britt I could easily get into this story, and my heart was pulled at the end. But so typical I think of a Grandfather back then.
My main complaint was not knowing the age of Jamie. At times he seemed in early teens and at others more like 7 or 8.
Would love to see this rounded out into a full novel.
June 8, 2013
When you grow up, the world shifts around you every day. You encounter things you like, but you don't yet quite know why. You encounter people who like the same things, or hate them, like you and hate you for them. This story invites the reader inside the child's experience. It explains nothing. That's what I like best about it.
The author comments that this story is 'for everyone who's ever felt different'. What struck me was that this could apply to every single character in the story, not just to the main (and more obvious) point of view. Nobody has a secure hold on life in this world, everything is fleeting and fragile. I like this story a lot.
The author comments that this story is 'for everyone who's ever felt different'. What struck me was that this could apply to every single character in the story, not just to the main (and more obvious) point of view. Nobody has a secure hold on life in this world, everything is fleeting and fragile. I like this story a lot.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews