A Crafty Cigarette: Tales of a Teenage Mod

by Matteo Sedazzari, John Cooper Clarke (Introduction)

DID YOU GROW UP IN THE LATE 1970S EARLY 1980S? Crafty Cigarette is the powerful story of a teenager coming of age in the 70s, as seen through his eyes, who, on the cusp of adulthood discovers a band that is new to him, The Jam, which leads him into becoming a Mod. Growing up in Suburbia where he finds life rather dull and hard to make friends Crafty Cigarette goes beyond just being a tale of a young Mod's passage into adulthood; it also focuses on the pitfalls of success or, rather, the lack of it, highlighting the failure of his father's circus career, who once worked with the famous Italian clown Charlie Cairoli, only to be sacked by Cairoli whilst he was on the verge of making it, thereby making him the Pete Best of the Clown world. The ramifications of this blow to his proud father's ego just adds to the confused and crazy skewed outlook of our young hero. Crafty Cigarette is a distillation of the metamorphosis of youth, embodied with a rebirth of the key character upon hearing the opening chord of The Jam's song 'All Mod Cons' and then growing up at a frantic pace, in keeping with Weller's shouted '1,2,3 4' intro . Written in the first person, the story rocks along at a fast clip, on a par with a supercharged Jam single... a compelling narrative with the key character struggling to find his identity against the backdrop of late 70s chaos. Without being nostalgic or sentimental, A Crafty Cigarette is a candid snapshot of English suburban life in the late 70s and early 80s, the book is raw, honest, dark and witty, with the values and culture of Mod being paramount throughout, though not always presented as the 'be all and end all'. A Crafty Cigarette is a powerful story and arguably, not since The Who's 'Quadrophenia', has there been such an in-depth study into the confused and multi-faceted lifestyle of striving to be a Mod... but this time, set in the very thick of the '79 Mod revival.

Genres: Music, Biography

146 pages, Paperback

About the author

Matteo Sedazzari developed the zest for writing when he produced a fanzine entitled Positive Energy of Madness during the height of Acid House, in 1989.

Positive Energy of Madness dissolved as a fanzine in 1994 and resurfaced as an ezine in 2003, which became ZANI, the ezine for counter and pop culture in 2009, promoting online optimism, along with articles, reviews, and interviews with the likes of crime author Martina Cole, former pop star and actor Luke Goss, soul legend Bobby Womack, Clem Burke of Blondie, Chas Smash of Madness, Shaun Ryder of Black Grape/ Happy Mondays and many more.

After producing and writing for his own publication, Matteo’s next step was to pen a novel, A Crafty Cigarette – Tales of a Teenage Mod. Matteo is influenced by Hunter S Thompson, Harlan Ellison, Kenneth Grahame, Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Irvine Welsh, DH Lawrence, Alan Sillitoe, Frank Norman, Joyce Carol Oates, Mario Puzo, Iceberg Slim, Patricia Highsmith, Joe R. Lansdale, Daphne du Maurier, Robert Bloch, George Orwell, Harry Grey and many more. American comics like Batman, Superman, and Spiderman, along with Herge’s Tintin, also provide Matteo with inspiration.

Matteo also finds stimulus from many films like Twelve Angry Men, A Kind of Loving, Blackboard Jungle, Z, Babylon, This Sporting Life, Kes, Midnight Cowboy, Scum, Wild Tales, The Boys, Midnight Express, La Commare Secca, Dr Terror’s House of Horrors, so on and so forth. As for music, anything that is passionate, vibrant, and with heart is always on Matteo’s playlist.

Matteo Sedazzari resides in Surrey, which he explores fanatically on his mountain bike. Matteo supports Juventus, travels to Italy and Spain, eats and dress well, as he enjoys life in the process

Reviews

[Steve Parcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was an amazing book. My favourite of 2016.

Matteo comes to the UK in the late sixties and initially has trouble settling in England as a shy Italian boy.

Then he becomes a Mod after hearing the Jam and the book takes us through his journey from shy loner to popular Mod and local Anarchist.

A must read for people like me who became a Mod in the late seventies and all people interested in this culture.

Fan Bloody Tastic

[pwcresswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

One of those books that drags you in and you find yourself awake at 4 am finishing it off because you were unable to put it down. Crazy final chapter and laughs all the way through

[Shazli Iqbal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that just captivates you from page one , full of laughs and teenage rage. Will definitely make you reminiscent your rebellious teenage days.

[Philip Downes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking read, a journey through life in the early 80’s loved it.

[Mark Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age tale of a young boy entering his teenage years written by Matteo Sedazzari in the language and outlook of an 11 year old navigating his way in the world as the explosion of the Mod revival of 1979 inspires a generation.

Our protagonist takes us on a journey of the growing pains of morphing from a child to a teenager navigating his way in the world and asserting his individual identity with laugh out loud humourous tales of a memorable historic era.

[Jo Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cracking read!
Completely transported me back to 1979 and the early 80's, what amazing fun we had and I do feel privileged to have grown up in such a prevelent time when it came to music and fashion and teenagers being a breed like no other 🤣🤣
I remember exactly where I was and who it was who introduced me to The Jam all those years ago and my journey to being a modette and then scooter girl! All the amazing camping weekends on the scooter rally's, fun times!!
I think the special thing about this book apart from the extroadinary writing, is how not only is it written in first person but exactly how a young teenager would tell it. I did cringe a bit a couple of times until I stopped and thought, hang on what would you have done and said at 13/14yrs old!
Getting all the old music out today, The Jam, The Beat, a bit of sixties and some motown!! Might even get all the photo albums out, I never went anywhere without a camera back then 🙈
10* from me if I could!!!

[Wojciech Adamczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shouldn't I laugh? Shouldn't I cry? Whatever feelings I have, to put it vaguely, are like a mix of sourness that first bangs with bitterness, though, a pang of spiciness whirls it up, to get an effervescence rolling down the head, and, when it's absolutely artisanal which uniquely sync all my senses, it all makes it unedible. I wait, I finish my cup of tea, and after all, whatever it stands for - this raw, never finest loneliness is crashed against the taste of whirling, though, absent sweetness.

psychos, should be a new thing, I truly think of it. this, could make me absolutely the essence of anything artificial that appeared to lead me, and my life. new fashion, and the subculture could serve an era of a new dawn, hey, I'm seeing it, and I see it as something that could change the world. us, like new crowns of proper outfits, and style, here and there, maybe in the whole world, but I must think of it, for now, we're not ready yet. I'd say, isn't it about those clowns out there against the men who goes out in style?

feelings aren't worth of that much, it's just about having a proper Mod style.

5 out of 5...! Once again, I can feel butterflies, and I should tell all my Mods, that it's a Susie's review, and I'm sure, they all we'll be crying out of jealousy, though, no worries about it, brat! We'll do it alright.

[Amin (Sagittarian_bookaholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥀This book, I was really not expecting anything and it just blew me away. What a wonderful experience it was. The author wrote this in a clear and plain language and it was very easy to read. What got me hooked on this book was the author's writing style. I finished this book in just one sitting. The main reason for this was the humorous content. It made me laugh and I truly enjoyed it right up to the end of the story. I think, if the older generation attempts to read this one, I am sure that they'll recall a couple of incredible memories. For me, It felt like travelling to the 80s. And the Mod culture, I have seen it in certain movies before. But this book really laid out the whole system for me. I am definitely gonna read more from this author and I highly recommend if you are looking for a fun and engaging read.🥀

[Anurupa Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I have a special place in my heart for the Jam and Mod culture. This book is an apt representation of the culture and lifestyle of the 1970s and 80s era when the world was going through counterculture and experiencing out of the box fashion, music, thoughts, etc.
The author has done a good job in capturing the journey of a teen growing through the vibrant era of the 1970s. The plot is very vibrant and gives a sense of nostalgia of an era which paved way for many things. I loved how the author described the tribe culture which made me feel truly associated.

[Nishita Patil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly engaging book about being a teen in the 1970s and all that entailed. The thrill, the agony, and the desire to defy the rules. All things mod, but it should be read by a wider audience who grew up during Thatcher's reign of terror. He wonderfully catches the feeling of belonging to a tribe, regardless of which tribe you were a part of, and even gives those skinhead freakshows more credit than they deserve. One star deducted for the punctuation, which was first grating, but the narrative was so skillfully delivered that you'll quickly catch up.
I'll highly recommend this one!

[Gary Nicklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brought back a lot of memories as I was just a little older than the character in the book when I discovered The Jam, The Who and the Mod culture. Some of the episodes in the book were almost mirror images of my own thoughts and experiences at the time, although I was never as unruly as the characters in the book, however I know some who were. Great fun - if you were a Mod revivalist in the 70's/80's you'll enjoy it.

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 2 out of 5]

With such high praise from John Cooper Clarke and Irvine Welsh, I was really looking forward to reading A Crafty Cigarette. Sadly, it just didn’t do anything for me. It was like an angrier version of Adrian Mole. I found it hard to empathise with our protagonist and any of the things that he was going through as I felt that he put himself in those positions on purpose. I just didn’t get the point of the story.

A Crafty Cigarette – Tales of a Teenage Mod by Matteo Sedazzari is available now.

[kanchan bisht · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Crafty Cigarette is an engaging, character-driven, coming-of-age novel readers will cherish for a long time.
The journey of Matteo from a shy boy to a popular Mod is full of humor. It is a tale of Italian boy Matteo who is struggling to adjust in new country UK. The story is simple yet profound and makes you laugh till the last chapter. If you love smooth stories of overcoming challenges with a good sense of humor, this is a perfect read.

[Silpi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books is a coming of age story as we know from the synopsis.
The narrator is a teenager living in the 70s and the book gives you a full vibe of a child growing in England.
It glues the readers from the first page, it has some humourous moments as well which makes it more interesting!
The narrator describes his experience, his daily occurrences which gives us soany information about the life during that era from The Beatles to the Mod Revival.
It's a really interesting read.
Recommended!

[Varsha Dubey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a tale of an Italian boy Matteo who is struggling to adjust to a new country UK. The author described his journey in a jolly way. Earlier he was a shy guy then he turned into a mischievous one. Story from childhood to adulthood. This book is an apt representation of the culture and lifestyle of the 1970s and 80s era when the world was going through counterculture and experiencing out of the box fashion, music.
I enjoyed it a lot.

[Hepzibah Becca Jael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crafty Cigarette
Mattaeo Sedazzari

Rating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Review:

A story set in the 1980's where Mod and Jam culture exploded. A well written transition from childhood to adulthood, one of the best coming of age books I've read so far! The authors writing style keeps the readers engaged and the book is quite interesting and informative on Mod culture in the 1970's-1980's.

[Hepzibah Becca Jael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crafty Cigarette
Mattaeo Sedazzari

Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐

Review:

A story set in the 1980's where Mod and Jam culture exploded. A well written transition from childhood to adulthood, one of the best coming of age books I've read so far! The authors writing style keeps the readers engaged and the book is quite interesting and informative on Mod culture in the 1970's-1980's.

[S.S Bandeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age story of an Italian boy Matteo.

Well, the way we see the world, life, and everything about our perspective changes as we age, learn and witness life.

It is a fun read and the way Matteo changes from a shy guy to a completely different personality is truly interesting.

It will keep you engaged with fun.

[Elshey Hey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because of John Cooper Clarke’s foreword.

A great insight to the mod culture of it’s prime years and a great book alltogether. Not the easiest read ever as there are almost no paragraphs and the chapters are long. Still worth every minute spent reading it 💕

[k r e e t i k a ~` · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I didn't understand but as I started to read more, I started to grow with the protagonist, the likes and dislikes he felt. How his perspective changed after some years. Perfect and fun to read, recommending to choose this as a light read once in a while.

[Lost in fiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age story that narrates the highs and lows that follows with growing up.
The transition from Shy boy to a powerful popular MOD of Matteo was compelling and captivating.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 To this humid ode to self discovery tale

[Shahitiya Pathak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely intrigued while reading this book. This book captures all the essence of youths. I really liked the book, and you should definitely read this book you'll love it, I loved every bit of it.

[Carol Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mod Fab

Ten years younger, my Mods were The Who. Substitute Who for Jam. Now I feel as if I must write my story. The female point of view.
Loved this book, it’s universal and offers such depth of insight.

[Joe Bacchetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured the spirit and essence of what it means to be a mod.

[Aathira Suni Sunil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is really unputdowable. I really enjoyed the whole book.

[Lithika Shranuu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Crafty Cigarette is a coming-of-age tale that is so humorously written! this book portrays the angst of the youth very well! could not stop reading it!

[Yashika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming of age story. I really liked how the writer captured the essence of teens in this book!

[Bibliomane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Crafty Cigarette is a brilliant story with a first-person narrative. The novel shows the perspective of teenagers towards life, culture and everything. Great debut by the author Matteo Sedazzari.

[Vinit Bagdai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally loved the book - worth the purchase. Looking forward for some more amazing books from the author 😍

[Sharayu Shelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about a boy's journey of self growth. The book makes you laugh till the last chapter. Couldn't stop till the end. Loved it.