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1961: A Novel
1961. What a milestone year that would prove to be. Spook was happy before that time, with a creek to play in and Grandpa Doc to spoil him. But then, his mum has to drag him down to Melbourne, to a crappy flat above a dress shop, and the dreadful Mrs. Green, their landlady. For what? All because of that fuss about his father and a jumping tree? That makes no sense at all.
Soon, the sanctimonious Theodore and foul-mouthed Wocker are foisted on Spook as "friends"—and some friends they turn out to be, one-upping him at every opportunity and trying to steal the affections of the lovely Tina across the road. When Spook learns that Tina is in danger, and finally penetrates the fog surrounding his father's indiscretions, he is determined to prove he is no patsy, and sets out on a course of action that will change two lives forever.
1961 is a poignant, painful, and yet often bleakly humorous reminder of that period in our lives when we were silly, vulnerable, and desperately serious, all at the same time.
Soon, the sanctimonious Theodore and foul-mouthed Wocker are foisted on Spook as "friends"—and some friends they turn out to be, one-upping him at every opportunity and trying to steal the affections of the lovely Tina across the road. When Spook learns that Tina is in danger, and finally penetrates the fog surrounding his father's indiscretions, he is determined to prove he is no patsy, and sets out on a course of action that will change two lives forever.
1961 is a poignant, painful, and yet often bleakly humorous reminder of that period in our lives when we were silly, vulnerable, and desperately serious, all at the same time.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2022
3 people want to read
About the author
Peter Dann
10 books3 followersPeter Dann has been a screenwriter, teacher, playwright, technical writer and software support guy. While Peter's technical manuals have been a little on the sober side, his more creative writing has typically had a wistful, humorous bent. "1961" is Peter's first novel.
Peter has read numerous works in the public domain as free audiobooks for Librivox. He has had a particular interest in reading aloud the works of Joseph Conrad.
Peter is not the same author as Dr Peter Dann, the marine biologist/wildlife ecologist.
Peter has read numerous works in the public domain as free audiobooks for Librivox. He has had a particular interest in reading aloud the works of Joseph Conrad.
Peter is not the same author as Dr Peter Dann, the marine biologist/wildlife ecologist.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 8, 2023
Before I start, in the spirit of full disclosure, I know Peter as I have been friends with his son for a long time, and have been hearing occasional updates about this book's gestation for many years, so it's been a thrill to finally get to read it.
Anyway now that I have, it's a pleasure to say I enjoyed it a great deal. Spook's incomprehension of the adult world around him pairs with the reader's awareness that the adults in his life are (in their own way) struggling to make their own square pegs fit into life's round holes. I found the character of Spook's povo friend Wocker especially poignant. All of this is secured with tightly-wound black humour. At certain points, the early chapters reminded me of the kitchen-table grotesque of Flannery O'Connor.
It's also in a very acute sense a historical novel, conjuring a vivid picture of the Melbourne of Peter's (and my parent's) childhood. There's a wonderful procession of pop culture, class tension, day to day minutiae and mid-century Australian slang (frangers!). I don't want to spoil the book's final third, but suffice to say this is more than just pleasurable set dressing for the characters, but you'll have to read it to find out why.
As the story moves to its end, a lot of the tension that powers the incomprehension (and humour) of the book's earlier parts snap out with often traumatic force. Afterwards I found myself still piecing together certain threads in my head while hanging the washing, the book has stayed with me - and I suspect it will for a while.
Congratualtions Peter on getting the book out there. To everyone else, I heartily recommend the book being worth your time.
Anyway now that I have, it's a pleasure to say I enjoyed it a great deal. Spook's incomprehension of the adult world around him pairs with the reader's awareness that the adults in his life are (in their own way) struggling to make their own square pegs fit into life's round holes. I found the character of Spook's povo friend Wocker especially poignant. All of this is secured with tightly-wound black humour. At certain points, the early chapters reminded me of the kitchen-table grotesque of Flannery O'Connor.
It's also in a very acute sense a historical novel, conjuring a vivid picture of the Melbourne of Peter's (and my parent's) childhood. There's a wonderful procession of pop culture, class tension, day to day minutiae and mid-century Australian slang (frangers!). I don't want to spoil the book's final third, but suffice to say this is more than just pleasurable set dressing for the characters, but you'll have to read it to find out why.
As the story moves to its end, a lot of the tension that powers the incomprehension (and humour) of the book's earlier parts snap out with often traumatic force. Afterwards I found myself still piecing together certain threads in my head while hanging the washing, the book has stayed with me - and I suspect it will for a while.
Congratualtions Peter on getting the book out there. To everyone else, I heartily recommend the book being worth your time.
February 23, 2023
I became familiar with Mr. Dann through his excellent narration of several of the free (U.S. copyright free) books that he has recorded for LibriVox. His online biography shows he’s had a lifetime experience in various types of writing. “1961” is his first novel.
I very seriously considered buying this book in audio format, but decided instead to actually read it, rather than be influenced by the author’s voice. I was not disappointed.
In reading “1961” I especially liked that Mr. Dann’s written dialog was so natural that I didn’t stumble over it…”what’s he mean?”…”why did he say that?”…”did I miss something?”
Although I’m close in age to Mr. Dann my life experience in that era was definitely different than “Spook’s” and the other characters. Even so, many parts of the story reminded me of those exasperating times in my childhood when I would wonder, “How did I ever get into this family?”
This book has some great characters, humor, poignant moments, and hints of a possible upcoming tragedy that was not what I expected.
All in all, a very good book.
I very seriously considered buying this book in audio format, but decided instead to actually read it, rather than be influenced by the author’s voice. I was not disappointed.
In reading “1961” I especially liked that Mr. Dann’s written dialog was so natural that I didn’t stumble over it…”what’s he mean?”…”why did he say that?”…”did I miss something?”
Although I’m close in age to Mr. Dann my life experience in that era was definitely different than “Spook’s” and the other characters. Even so, many parts of the story reminded me of those exasperating times in my childhood when I would wonder, “How did I ever get into this family?”
This book has some great characters, humor, poignant moments, and hints of a possible upcoming tragedy that was not what I expected.
All in all, a very good book.
March 5, 2023
I had a great time reading this, the characters felt like real people and acted the way that they should. It had a great story going on and I enjoyed the way Peter Dann wrote this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews