The Chelsea Game

by James Bowick

Kate wakes, in a cold sweat. The dream has fled from memory, but has left the familiar, lingering terror and guilt, her constant company. She does not remember what she did, but she is sure one day it will catch up with her. An offer to go to a party was supposed to be a chance for Star to get drunk and hide from her pain for a few hours. Instead, she finds herself unable to get home. Stranded in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, she takes refuge with the boy she met at the party. But, what appears to be a safe place slowly degenerates, leading her into drug addiction and the sex trade. Through painting, Kate explores her inner psyche and tries to cope with her demons. But for Star, it takes more. She creates for herself a secret life. A life where she is normal. It is talking art at the local mission that first bonds Kate and Star. It is art that draws their relationship deeper. As Star models for Kate, they share their most intimate stories with each other. Painful stories from their childhoods emerge. Through the stories and art, they form a strong friendship. But it is the stories and the art that will bring it all crashing down. As secrets are exposed, the girls’ lives are torn up. As they face the realities of who they are, they learn they have much more in common than they thought. And that facing who they are may be a matter of life and death.

370 pages, ebook

Published September 8, 2016

Reviews

[Maria Tzoutzopoulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!
All the characters and their life stories kept me great company throughout the first days of summer.
Tough at times, but real, their lives made me want to know more about them each time I turned a page, I changed a chapter.
I would love to know what's next for Star and Kate on a sequel.
I would also like to see this story made into a movie.
Thank you for this wonderful read, James!

[James Bowick]

Is it cheating to put it as 'read' when you reread a book you wrote?
I will not try to review it, except to warn other writers: If you go back and reread stuff you wrote years back you will see the flaws you missed. You will see the weaknesses you have grown out of and, sometimes, may cringe. I'm glad I reread it though. It was good to spend some time with characters who meant a lot to me.

[glenn boyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is unusual to have the chance to read a newly published first novel of a former student. Often I "judge" a novel by whether or not it brings lasting and vivid images/characters to mind, long after the book is read. I honestly believe James that you have done just that. Congratulations!