When Things Go Bang: A Portal Through Time

by Clive Warner

Uncle Buddy, in his faded Africa uniform, stares out from his photo on the mantel. He never came back from the war. Jim has asked his parents many times what happened, but they won’t talk about it.When Jim’s life is falling to pieces, Buddy emerges from a stain in the wallpaper and Jim finds himself fighting Rommel in the Battle of El Alamein, as Buddy. Why has Buddy brought him back? What will happen if he dies in the past, in Buddy’s body? Is the past where he’ll find the answers he’s looking for?

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2017

About the author

Memoir finished - 103,000 words.

I've lived in many different countries where I worked as an installation engineer, building radio stations and studios. In the main these were places that no sensible person would want to set foot in.

While cats are supposed to have 9 lives, I think humans must (usually) have many more, judging by the many narrow squeaks I've been in.

I've driven into a class 4 tornado in Texas, and got out of my car in the eye, looked up and seen blue sky, and was narrowly missed by a flying cow; been in an earthquake; been kidnapped by armed robbers; had malaria; gone fishing in a leaky rubber boat and narrowly missed becoming a meal for sharks ... you get the picture.

All this makes interesting background for a writer who just loves to create adventure stories and exotic fiction. So there you have it.

Reviews

[Aaron D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Set in Hightown near Liverpool after the second World War, it introduced me to a new world and to Jim. A disaster magnet if ever there was one - but it wasn't all his fault I found myself insisting. Yes he was reckless but also lucky and inventive. The book was full of fascinating details and action, with the ongoing thread of being placed in the body of his dead uncle who was fighting in the second World War In Africa. My interest was gripped all the way through!

[Anne Clarence (The Reading Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy for an honest review

When Things Go Bang is a short book set in somewhere about the 18s or 19s in Britain. It follows the adventure of our main character, Jim as he travels back in time. It's a truly remarkable book, very interesting and entertaining, and I haven't read such a genuine story in a long time that just simply tells a very interesting story. If I have kids, I would definitely read it to them. Although the book is amazing, I feel like the author should leave the book as it is and not make a series out of it. Personally, I really liked how it's just a pure, fun, and interesting story. 

I absolutely adore Jim. I love his attitude toward everything, but at the same time, Clive didn't make him annoying in anyway because he didn't overdo him. And this resulted in a very successful protagonist that showed different qualities and what good main characters should have in general.

I was a first really curious where Clive got the amazing ideas from. So I did a little digging. And can I just say that Clive: You do not have 9 lives. You're fricking immortal, man.

(check out his bio and you'll know what I'm talking about)

To sum up, this was a very well written story that kept it short, but at the same time is interesting, fun, and absolutely amazing. Clive is an amazing author, and this book totally deserves 5 stars.

[Fil Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an at times hilarious story about a sixties childhood in the North West. It's well-written with great insight into how teenage boys think and feel, with a touch of a slightly more mature Just William about the antics of the little gang of boys who are central to the story. My absolute favourite. The story of the teenage Jim is cleverly interwoven with that of his uncle, who died as a very young man during World War II, with just a hint of ghostliness and supernatural about it. A great read for adults and older children alike.