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Скинхеды
Последний роман Джона Кинга описывает почти сорок лет развития Британской культуры. Скинхеды не исчезли; их стиль вошел в мейнстрим, их музыка была признана и заново открыта, а сами ребята продолжили свою традицию нарушителей порядка. Вскрывая все общественные страхи и предубеждения, скины демонстрируют нам группу подлинно человечных героев, которыми движут страсть, благородство и культура, которой они преданы.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published March 6, 2008
9 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
John King
707 books151 followersJohn King is the author of eight novels – The Football Factory, Headhunters, England Away, Human Punk, White Trash, The Prison House, Skinheads and The Liberal Politics Of Adolf Hitler. The Football Factory was turned into a high-profile film. A new novel – Slaughterhouse Prayer – was published on 8 November 2018.
King has written short stories and non-fiction for a number of publications, with articles appearing in the likes of The New Statesman, Le Monde and La Repubblica. His books have been widely translated abroad. He edits the fiction fanzine Verbal and lives in London.
King has written short stories and non-fiction for a number of publications, with articles appearing in the likes of The New Statesman, Le Monde and La Repubblica. His books have been widely translated abroad. He edits the fiction fanzine Verbal and lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 13, 2017
This is the story of Terry English, it’s the story of skinhead culture as a way of life. This is not the usual story focussing on the late 1970's/early 1980's fascist/far right skinhead movement – but rather more what became of the ‘spirit of 69’ – born very much out of the original skinhead youth culture, itself born out of the original mod or modernist and rude boy subcultures preceding it.
‘Skinheads’ is John King at his very best – it’s a story of life, of youth culture becoming mainstream, of growing up, to an extent of a ‘revolt into style’ – whilst at the same time – it’s all about keeping the faith and keeping true to the original culture. It is both compelling and engaging, it’s a great story very well written. ‘Skinheads’ is both gritty and authentic and pulls no punches, as you’d expect from the pen of John King – however the violence in the context of its setting, is neither gratuitous nor unnecessary.
‘Skinheads’ is the story of three generations of one family, but central to everything is Terry English – the ‘original ska loving skinhead’.
This is Terry’s story, ‘This is England’, This is John King’s ‘Skinheads’.
Highly recommended.
‘Skinheads’ is John King at his very best – it’s a story of life, of youth culture becoming mainstream, of growing up, to an extent of a ‘revolt into style’ – whilst at the same time – it’s all about keeping the faith and keeping true to the original culture. It is both compelling and engaging, it’s a great story very well written. ‘Skinheads’ is both gritty and authentic and pulls no punches, as you’d expect from the pen of John King – however the violence in the context of its setting, is neither gratuitous nor unnecessary.
‘Skinheads’ is the story of three generations of one family, but central to everything is Terry English – the ‘original ska loving skinhead’.
This is Terry’s story, ‘This is England’, This is John King’s ‘Skinheads’.
Highly recommended.
May 31, 2009
This was the best novel I have ever read about skinheads, period. Sure, some others were very good, but this is the first and only to really treat them as HUMAN and to almost completely and solely focus on the traditional, non-racist skinhead culture. Every other skinhead book I have read -- with the exception of the Richard Allen books, which focus on a cartoonish ultra-violence -- have a conflict between racist skins and trad skins at the heart. This doesn't. It is simply the story of three generations of one family, headed by Terry English, an original 60s ska-loving skin. It tells his battles with an illness, his grieving for his lost wife, his concerns for his son and his general good nature. It is the story of his nephew Ray, whose temper and anger have him on the outs with his wife and how he struggles.
But above all else, it is a story about people. Simple and moving. Best skinhead novel ever.
But above all else, it is a story about people. Simple and moving. Best skinhead novel ever.
January 26, 2025
Intéressant sur la culture skinhead, mais l’abondance de racisme et de misogynie dégoûte. Si l’auteur n’écrit pas sur les seins ou les fesses des personnages féminins toutes les 2 pages, il meurt ou quoi ?
November 11, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book which covers a small group of skinheads and their families all living around Slough and the west of London. The main characters have now settled down from the wild days of their youth but still maintain and uphold the skinhead principles and way of life.
Terry English runs a taxi cab company but unknown to his family and friends he is very ill and receiving treatment for cancer while trying to live a normal life in the face of his friends. We become familiar with his ex wife and his son who lives with him. His uncle Ray is less settled and carries a temper and is always on the verge of a violent outbreak.
Terry acquires a vacant club near the taxi company's premises and sets about restoring it to it's former glory (Union Jacks and all), a bit like Peter Kayes' Phoenix Nights.
It's readable but not memorable and only a few days after reading it I'm having to refer back to the book to write this review rather than doing it from memory.
If you like English gangster, youth culture, football terrace humour and street crime drama cum soap opera this book will not disappoint. I'm a sucker for these genres!
Terry English runs a taxi cab company but unknown to his family and friends he is very ill and receiving treatment for cancer while trying to live a normal life in the face of his friends. We become familiar with his ex wife and his son who lives with him. His uncle Ray is less settled and carries a temper and is always on the verge of a violent outbreak.
Terry acquires a vacant club near the taxi company's premises and sets about restoring it to it's former glory (Union Jacks and all), a bit like Peter Kayes' Phoenix Nights.
It's readable but not memorable and only a few days after reading it I'm having to refer back to the book to write this review rather than doing it from memory.
If you like English gangster, youth culture, football terrace humour and street crime drama cum soap opera this book will not disappoint. I'm a sucker for these genres!
January 29, 2021
King - Skinheads 7.5 - “la rappresentazione dell’Inghilterra al meglio”. Ecco chi sono gli skinheads della working class inglese da fine sixties ad oggi. Capello corto Fred Perry, bomber o cappotto elegante, levi’s E DM. Curati sempre, British, patrioti ma non nazionalisti, no droghe, ma lavoro pub birra, tanta, musica, tanta reggae Street punk ed oi, e football e scontri. Pride of London
July 9, 2019
With an obvious structural debt to Irvine Welsh (not a bad thing by any means), this was not only well-written, but informative like a bit of a history lesson. Would read more from this author if I could ever find anything else in our local library.
October 2, 2020
Amazing! A sensitive and honest story about aging, loss, family, love and Traditional/ non-racist Skinhead identity. For me this is a much better book than the more well known The Football Factory.
October 14, 2016
Ever the embodiment of modern British culture, John King has once again woven England and all things therein with a startlingly human, blindingly sharp story about family and homeland.
The narrative follows three generations of English skinheads: Terry, an aging club owner just on his way out of the scene; Ray, Terry's nephew, a middle-aged father trying desperately to suppress the violence of his past, and Lol, Terry's son, a fifteen-year-old just coming on to the scene. One of the central themes of the book is the classic idea of what a skinhead is: not the neo-fascists of today, but rather the ska- and reggae-influenced street punks of late 60s England. As he did in the last book of his I read, John King makes the Greater London area, the city of Slough in particular, come to life with the kind of proletariat charm only he can truly craft.
Several looping plots carve through the narrative; each of the main characters has their own struggle in the book (most notably Terry's battle with cancer and Ray's battle with his own violent tendencies). From bringing some soul back into their neighborhood, to kicking the hell out of a handful of local drug dealers, to simply putting a band together, each character has their quest, their purpose for that time in their lives. The book strikes me as masterful, I think, because it genuinely seems like a memoir written about a time of strife for this family, as though all it's plot threads could've actually happened the way they did.
The experience of reading it, as it always is with King, was tough- the stream-of-consciousness style in which he writes doesn't lend itself well to easy reading. That being said, I see the value in that style; I don't know if King would be able to effectively get inside his character's heads any other way. The effect is worth it, I think.
I can say that I fundamentally enjoyed this book. Though I might've preferred the last book of his I read ('Human Punk', which happens to tie into 'Skinheads' in a minor way), I would certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a no-nonsense, down-to-earth story about a truly blue-collar family trying to get by, while saving their subculture in the meantime.
The narrative follows three generations of English skinheads: Terry, an aging club owner just on his way out of the scene; Ray, Terry's nephew, a middle-aged father trying desperately to suppress the violence of his past, and Lol, Terry's son, a fifteen-year-old just coming on to the scene. One of the central themes of the book is the classic idea of what a skinhead is: not the neo-fascists of today, but rather the ska- and reggae-influenced street punks of late 60s England. As he did in the last book of his I read, John King makes the Greater London area, the city of Slough in particular, come to life with the kind of proletariat charm only he can truly craft.
Several looping plots carve through the narrative; each of the main characters has their own struggle in the book (most notably Terry's battle with cancer and Ray's battle with his own violent tendencies). From bringing some soul back into their neighborhood, to kicking the hell out of a handful of local drug dealers, to simply putting a band together, each character has their quest, their purpose for that time in their lives. The book strikes me as masterful, I think, because it genuinely seems like a memoir written about a time of strife for this family, as though all it's plot threads could've actually happened the way they did.
The experience of reading it, as it always is with King, was tough- the stream-of-consciousness style in which he writes doesn't lend itself well to easy reading. That being said, I see the value in that style; I don't know if King would be able to effectively get inside his character's heads any other way. The effect is worth it, I think.
I can say that I fundamentally enjoyed this book. Though I might've preferred the last book of his I read ('Human Punk', which happens to tie into 'Skinheads' in a minor way), I would certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a no-nonsense, down-to-earth story about a truly blue-collar family trying to get by, while saving their subculture in the meantime.
April 23, 2008
I have now read three of John King's books including this and this is my favorite. It puts paid to the myth that skinheads are racist. They never were in my experience, just some NF thugs dressed in the style. But the book is superb, great characters, a perfect evocation of the late 60's early 70's from a Skin perspective.
The ska references are excellent and brought back so many memories. I don't know much about John King, but judging from the musical references and the locations I reckon he grew up in a similar area and at a similar timescale to me, maybe he is slightly older because Burtons Dance Hall in Uxbridge closed when I was about 13, so I never got to go although I heard a lot about it from the older siblings of friends
In summary an excellent book!
The ska references are excellent and brought back so many memories. I don't know much about John King, but judging from the musical references and the locations I reckon he grew up in a similar area and at a similar timescale to me, maybe he is slightly older because Burtons Dance Hall in Uxbridge closed when I was about 13, so I never got to go although I heard a lot about it from the older siblings of friends
In summary an excellent book!
April 6, 2025
Skinheads by John King (April 1 2008). Three stories of ageing skinhead Terry who wants to buy an old snooker hall; Ray a cab driver who is proud of who he is; Lol son of Terry finding his way in life. Second read, maybe I’ve finally outgrown John King. I could only connect to a few of Rays experiences. And John’s constant anti-EU themes feel shallower post Brexit.
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September 13, 2011
At first I struggled to engage with this book, but i'm glad I perservered because it's a good story. What lets it down is the writing style. Entire chapters with no proper punctuation doesn't make it an easy read. While i'm supposing this was a method utalised to 'get inside the characters head', I found it more frustrating than insightful.
January 25, 2015
Really enjoyed this book, I was hooked! Best skinhead novel I've read, just goes to prove not all skinheads are racist!! I'm a punk/skin myself .
August 8, 2012
Traduction française : Alain Defossé, édition Au Diable Vauvert.
September 14, 2013
Oi! Oi! Oi!
November 10, 2015
Underrated.
Read
May 11, 2016ebook
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews