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The Speech
On April 20th, 1968, Enoch Powell, Member of Parliament in the English town of Wolverhampton, made a speech that shook Britain to its core. The ramifications of what some labeled a "racist diatribe" changed forever the way in which race was viewed and discussed in the United Kingdom. The Speech follows the lives of a group of characters—including Powell himself—living in Wolverhampton over a 10-day period before and after his speech. Mrs. Georgina Verington-Delaunay is a volunteer working in the Conservative riding office of Enoch Powell. It is through her interaction with Powell, now at a critical point in his political career, that we get to know him intimately. Frank and Christine are art students inadvertently caught in an undercurrent of intolerance. Nelson and his aunt, Irene, are Jamaican immigrants striving to make a life for themselves in an atmosphere of turbulent emotions and polarized opinions concerning Britain’s immigration policies. A violent crime brings these disparate characters together as they struggle to find their places in the swiftly changing society of 1960s Britain. Set against a background of "subversive" music, radical fashions, and profound change in "moral values," they attempt against all odds to bring a fair conclusion to an unjust investigation. As they work together against murky elements of self-interest and bigotry, they’re forced to confront their own consciences and prejudices.
- GenresFiction
475 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2016
2 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Smith
8 books33 followersAndrew Smith was born in Liverpool, England and now lives in Toronto and London. He has taken creative writing courses at the University of Toronto, and has also graduated as a graphic designer. His short fiction has appeared in some of the most repected literary magazines in North America. He has published two non-fiction books: Strangers in the Garden, an illustrated history of flowers and Highlights, an illustrated history of cannabis. He is also an award-winning travel writer. Edith’s War, his first novel, won a gold medal for fiction at the Independent Publisher's Awards in New York. His second novel, The Speech, was published by Urbane Publications in United Kingdom in October, 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 6, 2017
Don't be put off by the bland title (I'd have called this "Rivers of Blood" or perhaps "We're here because you were there", as per a placard in the protest described in the book), this is an enjoyable and topical novel, nicely weaving the historical and the personal. Some great characters, some you love, some you love to hate.
November 16, 2016
Reviewed by me as a member of Rosie Amber's Book Review Team
The Speech is a novel of separate yet associated stories, cleverly put together: the first is the period in Enoch Powell's life leading up to and shortly after his infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech, and the second is story of Frank, an art student, and his friend Nelson, a Jamaican immigrant, who is wrongly accused of a serious crime.
I found the portrayal of Enoch Powell compelling indeed; the author shows neither an overly negative nor postive view of him, but (it seemed to me) a realistic one, and one that showed the extent of his research. I liked the way this book showed Powell's insecurities and obsession with the Empire, with England and old traditions; there's a lovely passage (in inner dialogue) about his innate and unconditional respect for authority, in which he relates a memory from his childhood. The seven year old Powell has taken off his school cap in a room in Caernarfon Castle. When his father asks why, he replies that it is because this is where the first Prince of Wales was born.
Whatever you think about Powell's views on the immigration problem, as relevant now as it ever was (incidentally, three cheers for the Sikh protestor's placard: 'We're here because you were there'), this book certainly shows all sides, though of course Powell's ideas were sometimes taken out of context, his name revered by the thugs who later became known as skinheads and neo-Nazis, and passed down by many who have probably never read his speeches and think that all he ever said was 'send 'em packing'. I thought he was as idealistic as any of the liberals he berated; reading this, I wondered if the man himself had any idea of the trouble his words might unleash.
As for Frank's story, it's clear Andrew Smith has first hand knowledge of the era; I enjoyed considering how societal attitudes have changed so much in just fifty years, while in other ways the problems then are still with us; the book is interesting for this aspect alone. Mr Smith's 1960s art students are so realistic, affected and impressed with themselves (I loved Denise the Militant, whose favourite insult appeared to be 'bourgeois'). Frank is not altogether likeable (this isn't a criticism; I don't think he's meant to be), being feckless and immature, but the character is well drawn. Nelson and his aunt were a delight, I so warmed to them, and could have wept for all Nelson went through.
From a technical point of view I wasn't sure about this book at first, as the opening few chapters seemed wordy for the sake of being wordy, and I thought it was going to take a bit of ploughing through, but it soon settled down and by about 10% I was enjoying it. Other minor irritations were a few slip-ups that should have been picked up by the editor (American English such as 'horseback riding' and 'different than', and incorrect punctuation), and a feature I've seen in many self- and independently published books set in the 50s and 60s: the over-inclusion of song titles, artistes, TV programmes and brand names of the time ('she tasted of Gibbs peppermint toothpaste') that seem to be included just to push the nostalgia buttons of the reader. Mr Smith's writing is good enough to present the atmosphere of the era without over-egging the pudding, if you like! If a book set in the late 60s is written well, you can almost hear Otis and Hendrix playing in the background, you don't need to mention the chart titles of the day every time the radio is switched on.
The 1966 ending, with the amendment to the Race Relations bill, makes a fine summing up of the whole situation, especially the observations of Hogg and Macleod. The final chapter shows how far the country has come, and makes some attitudes of the 1960s seem as unbelievable as the atrocities that occurred in the southern US in the first half of the last century. It's a good book. I enjoyed it. If you have an interest in the subject matter, I am sure you will, too ~ and isn't the cover excellent?
The Speech is a novel of separate yet associated stories, cleverly put together: the first is the period in Enoch Powell's life leading up to and shortly after his infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech, and the second is story of Frank, an art student, and his friend Nelson, a Jamaican immigrant, who is wrongly accused of a serious crime.
I found the portrayal of Enoch Powell compelling indeed; the author shows neither an overly negative nor postive view of him, but (it seemed to me) a realistic one, and one that showed the extent of his research. I liked the way this book showed Powell's insecurities and obsession with the Empire, with England and old traditions; there's a lovely passage (in inner dialogue) about his innate and unconditional respect for authority, in which he relates a memory from his childhood. The seven year old Powell has taken off his school cap in a room in Caernarfon Castle. When his father asks why, he replies that it is because this is where the first Prince of Wales was born.
Whatever you think about Powell's views on the immigration problem, as relevant now as it ever was (incidentally, three cheers for the Sikh protestor's placard: 'We're here because you were there'), this book certainly shows all sides, though of course Powell's ideas were sometimes taken out of context, his name revered by the thugs who later became known as skinheads and neo-Nazis, and passed down by many who have probably never read his speeches and think that all he ever said was 'send 'em packing'. I thought he was as idealistic as any of the liberals he berated; reading this, I wondered if the man himself had any idea of the trouble his words might unleash.
As for Frank's story, it's clear Andrew Smith has first hand knowledge of the era; I enjoyed considering how societal attitudes have changed so much in just fifty years, while in other ways the problems then are still with us; the book is interesting for this aspect alone. Mr Smith's 1960s art students are so realistic, affected and impressed with themselves (I loved Denise the Militant, whose favourite insult appeared to be 'bourgeois'). Frank is not altogether likeable (this isn't a criticism; I don't think he's meant to be), being feckless and immature, but the character is well drawn. Nelson and his aunt were a delight, I so warmed to them, and could have wept for all Nelson went through.
From a technical point of view I wasn't sure about this book at first, as the opening few chapters seemed wordy for the sake of being wordy, and I thought it was going to take a bit of ploughing through, but it soon settled down and by about 10% I was enjoying it. Other minor irritations were a few slip-ups that should have been picked up by the editor (American English such as 'horseback riding' and 'different than', and incorrect punctuation), and a feature I've seen in many self- and independently published books set in the 50s and 60s: the over-inclusion of song titles, artistes, TV programmes and brand names of the time ('she tasted of Gibbs peppermint toothpaste') that seem to be included just to push the nostalgia buttons of the reader. Mr Smith's writing is good enough to present the atmosphere of the era without over-egging the pudding, if you like! If a book set in the late 60s is written well, you can almost hear Otis and Hendrix playing in the background, you don't need to mention the chart titles of the day every time the radio is switched on.
The 1966 ending, with the amendment to the Race Relations bill, makes a fine summing up of the whole situation, especially the observations of Hogg and Macleod. The final chapter shows how far the country has come, and makes some attitudes of the 1960s seem as unbelievable as the atrocities that occurred in the southern US in the first half of the last century. It's a good book. I enjoyed it. If you have an interest in the subject matter, I am sure you will, too ~ and isn't the cover excellent?
April 2, 2021
It's a good story, a work of fiction built around Tory MP Enoch Powell's infamous speech. It's compelling and easy to read, I wanted to know what happened next, or at least confirm what I suspected because it was painfully predictable.
In fact despite enjoying reading 'the Speech' for me it was full of annoyances.
All the characters are totally stereotyped; Students, immigrants, policemen, politicians, publicans, thugs and Folkies. Is this actually some kind of comedy and I've missed the point?
Then there's the 1960's cultural references rammed in at every opportunity. Yea it's 1968, we get it. And as a postcard to 60's Wolverhampton it makes me glad I never been to the place in any decade.
Then there's Powell who is portrayed as the classic, stiff backed Tory cliche. An English snob who even in the 60's had values more suited to Victorian Britain. Was Powell a racist? That is debatable but he inspired racism and was most definitely highly prejudiced.
It's sad to think that over fifty years later morons still spew the words "Enoch was right". No he wasn't. He was wrong then and his prophecies did not come true. Ironic to think the legacy of this classic scholar is to be a poster boy for idiots.
But despite all that it is a good read and just about manages to achieve what it set out to do. Despite being cliche the characters are likable, there are amusing and moving moments and it came together nicely at the end.
In fact despite enjoying reading 'the Speech' for me it was full of annoyances.
All the characters are totally stereotyped; Students, immigrants, policemen, politicians, publicans, thugs and Folkies. Is this actually some kind of comedy and I've missed the point?
Then there's the 1960's cultural references rammed in at every opportunity. Yea it's 1968, we get it. And as a postcard to 60's Wolverhampton it makes me glad I never been to the place in any decade.
Then there's Powell who is portrayed as the classic, stiff backed Tory cliche. An English snob who even in the 60's had values more suited to Victorian Britain. Was Powell a racist? That is debatable but he inspired racism and was most definitely highly prejudiced.
It's sad to think that over fifty years later morons still spew the words "Enoch was right". No he wasn't. He was wrong then and his prophecies did not come true. Ironic to think the legacy of this classic scholar is to be a poster boy for idiots.
But despite all that it is a good read and just about manages to achieve what it set out to do. Despite being cliche the characters are likable, there are amusing and moving moments and it came together nicely at the end.
April 29, 2019
Andrew Smith’s The Speech recounts the context and evolution of an alarming event that created a storm in the UK 50 years ago. Only people in their 70s remember the disgraceful speech delivered by Enoch Powell, but this book’s fictionalized description of the impact of the speech is a perfect parable for the vicious political wars of today. Smith delves into the emotional impetuses of Powell, using a parallel narrative to weave in the interplay between causes and unintended consequences as he recounts the emotions of those (both high and low) who continued to yearn for the apparent orderliness of the mighty British Empire. Powell warned (against the advice of his party and his advisors) that immigration in the UK was causing racial conflict that would lead to “rivers of blood.” He was widely condemned and fired from the cabinet but there was still a tiny, ugly minority that resented immigrants for their own particular reasons. All is laid bare in the clash between these people, who felt emboldened by Powell to believe their racist attitudes were legitimate, and, in mounting counterpoint, the positive power of awakening young idealism, which contributed to the ultimate restoration of British common sense. The Speech is a compelling read that gives fresh insight into events of 50 years ago, while illuminating the dynamics of today’s news.
December 19, 2017
This book surprised me . When I started reading I felt that mixing fact with fiction wouldn’t work for me. Once I started it did. Enoch Powell’s speech about the rivers of blood causes many problems. I feel I got to know him. The author manages to portray as a flawed individual but never making you feel he was intent on causing such a stir after the speech. Sometimes you almost feltsorry for his naivety in believing it would take him to no 10 . The side story regarding art students and Nelson the Jamaican wrongly accused of a murder was cleverly woven together . There must have been so much research put in to this book. Wolverhampton and surrounding areas features strongly. I was surprised the author hadn’t lived in the town. All in all a good read and a sociological overview of the 1960’s
December 18, 2016
While I don't read much fiction these days I'm glad to have read "The Speech". It's different and a good balance of history, fiction and race relations.
good luck
**ARC/publisher/NetGalley
good luck
**ARC/publisher/NetGalley
April 23, 2017
I'll start this review by saying that The Speech is not my usual reading genre, that of politically themed stories, but due to what is happening in the world at the moment, and the fact that this book was recommended to me, I thought I would give it a try, and I am so very glad that I did.
The Speech explores the life of Enoch Powell while living inWolverhampton during the 1960s, a decade before my time. The book is a wonderful mix of fiction and reality, which beautifully blends together to create this entertaining, yet educational and informative read.
Although, The Speech, is predominantly about Enoch Powell, it is really a story of three tales. We have the story of Nelson, who lives with his Aunt, who is wrongly accused of murder. I liked this character immensely, and felt great sadness for what he had to go through in order to protest his innocence. We also meet Frank, a photography student who is young and naïve and who 'helps' Enoch in his conspiracy to frame Nelson. To be honest, it was Nelson's plight and story that most intrigued me, and I found what happened to him just as relevant today, with current issues of Brexit and immigration dominating the headlines. We then also have the ten day time fame that the novel is set within, leading up to the infamous Rivers of Blood Speech and the novel's ultimate conclusion. This was a very clever narrative device, as I found myself whizzing through the pages in my urge to find out what happened to all of the characters. I needed to know!
This novel so eloquently highlights the issues of racism, bigotry and hatred. It is an emotional and insightful read, that grips you throughout Enoch Powell's political journey and subsequent fall from grace. Whether you like Powell or not, is, I feel, irrelevant, as what is of importance are the issues within the book, those of racism and being 'different' and the individual stories that unfold. So, do not be put off by the political angle in this book, or the fact that it is based upon a real life politician. While reading, I found it difficult to separate what was fact and what was fiction, but for me this didn't matter. It is not a biography, it is a work of fiction based upon fact. It is an enjoyable and immensely thought provoking read.
The Speech is published by Urbane Publications.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy
The Speech explores the life of Enoch Powell while living inWolverhampton during the 1960s, a decade before my time. The book is a wonderful mix of fiction and reality, which beautifully blends together to create this entertaining, yet educational and informative read.
Although, The Speech, is predominantly about Enoch Powell, it is really a story of three tales. We have the story of Nelson, who lives with his Aunt, who is wrongly accused of murder. I liked this character immensely, and felt great sadness for what he had to go through in order to protest his innocence. We also meet Frank, a photography student who is young and naïve and who 'helps' Enoch in his conspiracy to frame Nelson. To be honest, it was Nelson's plight and story that most intrigued me, and I found what happened to him just as relevant today, with current issues of Brexit and immigration dominating the headlines. We then also have the ten day time fame that the novel is set within, leading up to the infamous Rivers of Blood Speech and the novel's ultimate conclusion. This was a very clever narrative device, as I found myself whizzing through the pages in my urge to find out what happened to all of the characters. I needed to know!
This novel so eloquently highlights the issues of racism, bigotry and hatred. It is an emotional and insightful read, that grips you throughout Enoch Powell's political journey and subsequent fall from grace. Whether you like Powell or not, is, I feel, irrelevant, as what is of importance are the issues within the book, those of racism and being 'different' and the individual stories that unfold. So, do not be put off by the political angle in this book, or the fact that it is based upon a real life politician. While reading, I found it difficult to separate what was fact and what was fiction, but for me this didn't matter. It is not a biography, it is a work of fiction based upon fact. It is an enjoyable and immensely thought provoking read.
The Speech is published by Urbane Publications.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy
April 20, 2017
Mixing fact and fiction, The Speech is both a historical and highly topical novel about a society in flux, with all too chilling parallels with anti-immigration fervour in Britain today .
Full review http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/1/post/...
Full review http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/1/post/...
April 21, 2017
The Speech, by Andrew Smith, is set over a ten day period in April 1968 during which Enoch Powell, as local MP, gave his infamous Rivers of Blood speech. It is written from a variety of points of view thereby enabling the reader to gain a better understand of each of the protagonists. The era is evoked with a perceptive wit, whilst the story told – the machinations surrounding a Jamaican immigrant’s wrongful arrest for GBH – reminds how little certain people have progressed.
“He moved on to the effects on the “native population” of the granting of rights to so many immigrants – people were confronted by crowded maternity wards and their children forced to study in overflowing classrooms. Their neighbourhoods were being transformed against their will. He applied words to the British public such as “defeated” and attributed to them the feeling that they were “unwanted”. Powerful words […] painted a scene of utter degredation of ordinary native citizens as a result of immigration”
The tale opens with some background to Powell’s ancestry and upbringing, wryly salient given the opinions he developed. By 1968 he had been Wolverhampton South West’s MP for eighteen years and was serving in a shadow cabinet led by Ted Heath, who he wished to usurp. Powell’s constituency home is in a neighbourhood becoming popular with an increasing immigrant population and he is concerned about the effect this will have on property value.
Powell is supported in his local Tory party office by the intelligent and loyal Mrs Georgina Verington-Delaunay, known as Georgy. Whilst she acknowledges the strengths of Powell’s work ethic and values, she is increasingly disquieted by his beligerance. His regard for the days of Empire and conviction that England should not change frustrate her efforts to demonstrate the benefits of enabling recent arrivals to integrate.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton art student, Frank McCann, is in his favourite bar examining a set of photographic prints taken at the previous day’s student demonstration in support of racial equality. The bartender points out that every face in his photos is white, suggesting that the images would be more powerful if a darker skinned person were portrayed. Frank accepts a wager from a couple of fellow students, disparaging his talents, that he will successfully doctor a print to replace one of the marchers with the image of a Jamaican friend, Nelson Clark, in a manner that makes the change undetectable. This challenge sets in motion a series of events that result in Nelson’s incarceration. Frank, with the help of his strong minded girlfriend, Christine, must then try to find a way to persuade the police, who are all too eager to prove Nelson guilty, that the photo they are using as evidence is a fake.
Racism, intolerance and hatred are never going to be comfortable subjects to read about but the warmth and humour of the narrative, and the breadth of characters populating each page, make this an engaging tale. Even Powell comes across with a degree of poignancy, notwithstanding his damaging rhetoric. It is sad that, despite improvements in many other areas, his ilk are still being listened to today.
The author uses dialogue to expand on arguments which, although succinct and well constructed, did not always segue with plot progression. The denouement relied on a stroke of luck, admittedly a familiar device. These were minor niggles in a work that offers an entertaining story as well as an evocative history of a period this country should by now have learned from. This is an intelligent and recommended read.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Urbane.
“He moved on to the effects on the “native population” of the granting of rights to so many immigrants – people were confronted by crowded maternity wards and their children forced to study in overflowing classrooms. Their neighbourhoods were being transformed against their will. He applied words to the British public such as “defeated” and attributed to them the feeling that they were “unwanted”. Powerful words […] painted a scene of utter degredation of ordinary native citizens as a result of immigration”
The tale opens with some background to Powell’s ancestry and upbringing, wryly salient given the opinions he developed. By 1968 he had been Wolverhampton South West’s MP for eighteen years and was serving in a shadow cabinet led by Ted Heath, who he wished to usurp. Powell’s constituency home is in a neighbourhood becoming popular with an increasing immigrant population and he is concerned about the effect this will have on property value.
Powell is supported in his local Tory party office by the intelligent and loyal Mrs Georgina Verington-Delaunay, known as Georgy. Whilst she acknowledges the strengths of Powell’s work ethic and values, she is increasingly disquieted by his beligerance. His regard for the days of Empire and conviction that England should not change frustrate her efforts to demonstrate the benefits of enabling recent arrivals to integrate.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton art student, Frank McCann, is in his favourite bar examining a set of photographic prints taken at the previous day’s student demonstration in support of racial equality. The bartender points out that every face in his photos is white, suggesting that the images would be more powerful if a darker skinned person were portrayed. Frank accepts a wager from a couple of fellow students, disparaging his talents, that he will successfully doctor a print to replace one of the marchers with the image of a Jamaican friend, Nelson Clark, in a manner that makes the change undetectable. This challenge sets in motion a series of events that result in Nelson’s incarceration. Frank, with the help of his strong minded girlfriend, Christine, must then try to find a way to persuade the police, who are all too eager to prove Nelson guilty, that the photo they are using as evidence is a fake.
Racism, intolerance and hatred are never going to be comfortable subjects to read about but the warmth and humour of the narrative, and the breadth of characters populating each page, make this an engaging tale. Even Powell comes across with a degree of poignancy, notwithstanding his damaging rhetoric. It is sad that, despite improvements in many other areas, his ilk are still being listened to today.
The author uses dialogue to expand on arguments which, although succinct and well constructed, did not always segue with plot progression. The denouement relied on a stroke of luck, admittedly a familiar device. These were minor niggles in a work that offers an entertaining story as well as an evocative history of a period this country should by now have learned from. This is an intelligent and recommended read.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Urbane.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews