The Test

by Mark Haysom

For the 'back to school' crowd, this is a touching and poignant short story about triumph over adversity in regards to the 'system', and a celebration of first love. The Test is perfect tie-in to some of the themes explored in Mark Haysom's new novel, Imagine, available now in ebook and publishing in print in December 2015. Visit Mark's website to read an extract from the opening of Imagine and to read about Mark's other work, including Love, Love Me Do which is available now in print and ebook.Praise for Love, Love Me 'Haysom's skilful debut ... a highly readable novel with a warm heart' The Independent'In just a word or two, Mark Haysom evokes the pain of a deserted parent or the fear of a little boy' We Love This Book'Love, Love Me Do manages to be both funny and heart-breaking' Good Housekeeping

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2015

About the author

After graduating from Leicester University, Mark Haysom had a thirty year career in newspapers during which he rose from trainee journalist on a local weekly to Managing Director of Mirror Group. In 2003 he moved into education as head of a large Government agency. In recent years he has served on the boards of a number of charities dedicated to overcoming poverty, disadvantage and addiction. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Leicester University in 2005 and the CBE in 2008. Mark lives in Brighton with his wife, Ann. LOVE, LOVE ME DO is his first novel.

Reviews

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, The Test is just an adorable story.

The Test by Mark Haysom is the love story that never was. It is a charming tale of two people who keep missing the chance to be together but can’t seem to get out of each other’s lives.

It is also a story of circumstance and how people of working class status were screwed over by the system.

For a short story, Mark Haysom really did put a lot into the story of Charlotte and Tom. It makes me excited to read Imagine which is on my TBR pile.

The Test by Mark Haysom is available now.

For more information regarding Mark Haysom (@markhaysomuk) please visit www.mark-haysom.co.uk.

For more information regarding Piatkus Books (@PiatkusBooks) please visit www.piatkusbooks.net.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so sad but also very lovely
The test is a tale of class, social differences and educational opportunities.
Tom Pushman has always loved Charlie Clarke but when she does better on the eleven plus their paths diverge and their lives take different courses.
Charlie or "Charlotte" moves to the upper echelons of society and marries a man of that rank and Tom goes into painting and decorating, marries and has a son.
But when they meet many years later at Charlie's mother's funeral they both discover their lives haven't been as happy as they both thought.
A sweet tale of lost love, hopes and dreams.
I absolutely love these stories, so much drama and emotion out into such a short story.
I usually hate short stories but I really look forward to discovering another one by this author and haven't been disappointed yet.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes you back to your own teenage years and whether you went to the Grammar or the Secondary Modern.
A very clever story.

[Shaana Niessen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just found this depressing.

[Deborah J Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Test is a short story about an unfulfilled love. Tom Pushman and Charlie Clarke are good friends in Junior school. Theirs is the kind of friendship that could develop into much more as they get older. They come from similar social backgrounds, and are both clever enough to get into a grammar school. However, Tom's life falls apart just as they are due to sit 'the test', and the results mean Charlie gets her place in a grammar school and Tom does not.

Although their paths occasionally cross through the years, this separation of schools has driven a wedge between them, and their friendship becomes a distant memory. Many years later, Charlie's mother's funeral brings these two together again, and they realise that neither of their lives have not worked out the way they had planned.

What a thought-provoking story! I love Haysom's writing style and I found myself quickly and completely absorbed into this story. It took me back to my fourth year in Junior school - today that would be Year 6. I was never aware at that time that this single test would influence my entire life. However, looking back now, I can see that it did.