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The Bends
Thomas Greene is a piece of work, a diabolical anti-hero skulking in the shadows of depravity. He screws his life up at every turn and accepts your best wishes along the way. He is sick, that is how anyone would categorize him. Not mentally, not even physically but there is something not right with him. Why else would he try to convince the world he is dying of cancer if this was not the case?Thomas was a normal, everyday American kid until the age of twelve. That is when it all started. Inflicted by a cruel medical disorder that left him completely hairless, he found people's intolerance of image leads to cruelty. From a happy-go-lucky boy he became a victim; beaten, banished and ridiculed and from there became a monster. Combining painful memories and a vicious wit Thomas tells his story, a wicked self-portrait in The Bends, a rich dark comedy taking the form of a disturbing road movie and a self-help book that will scar you for life.
278 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2006
3 people want to read
About the author
Darren Smith
38 books10 followersDarren Smith is a New York and London based author of contemporary fiction. He attended school in Canterbury and university in Warwickshire before working as an engineer, an analyst at Lloyd's of London and a trading floor consultant at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch in California, before working for the UK Government in the Treasury.
His first book, THE BENDS, was published in February 2006, and his second, SHADOW'S BLISS in April 2006. His third novel, FADE was released in December 2007. His early works are adorned with the art of West Coast underground artists Peter Max Lawrence.
In 2010 Smith published his acclaimed the semi-autobiographical BURNING INDIGO in London, a story of 1994 and the LSE, student life and friendship.
In 2012 Smith's fifth book GOD IN A BOX was released and can be found on all good book sites.
He has written numerous screenplays and was a finalist in the 2011 Fellini Awards, a quarter finalist in the 2010 PAGE Silver Screenwriting Awards and has been placed numerous times in the Bluecat.
He was worked as a script editor and creative consultant for Berry Street Entertainment and the BBC.
He has written four plays: A PICTURE OF TEETERING CROCKERY, and ONE IN, ONE DOWN, ONE OUT (for Chita Rivera/Richard Montoya), KISS ME QUICK and COMMENTS IN RED, a parody of the Communist manifesto.
David Silverman (Wild Thornberries) has written a short version of SHADOW'S BLISS which is currently in production.
A feature length adaptation of SHADOW'S BLISS written by Darren with help from Focus Features producer Claudio Barrientos is subject of negotiations with David Ruiz and Arnie Schlissel in New York.
He is currently in preproduction with Shooting People founder Cath Le Couteur with the adaptation of THE BENDS.
A PICTURE OF TEETERING CROCKERY is currently the focus of interest for a French independent production company.
He is currently working on his time travelling short ONE DOWN with BurstEarDrum Productions and director Sam Dore.
Darren is the founder of the New Bohemians art group in New York City and is an active member of the Dramatists Guild of America.
His first book, THE BENDS, was published in February 2006, and his second, SHADOW'S BLISS in April 2006. His third novel, FADE was released in December 2007. His early works are adorned with the art of West Coast underground artists Peter Max Lawrence.
In 2010 Smith published his acclaimed the semi-autobiographical BURNING INDIGO in London, a story of 1994 and the LSE, student life and friendship.
In 2012 Smith's fifth book GOD IN A BOX was released and can be found on all good book sites.
He has written numerous screenplays and was a finalist in the 2011 Fellini Awards, a quarter finalist in the 2010 PAGE Silver Screenwriting Awards and has been placed numerous times in the Bluecat.
He was worked as a script editor and creative consultant for Berry Street Entertainment and the BBC.
He has written four plays: A PICTURE OF TEETERING CROCKERY, and ONE IN, ONE DOWN, ONE OUT (for Chita Rivera/Richard Montoya), KISS ME QUICK and COMMENTS IN RED, a parody of the Communist manifesto.
David Silverman (Wild Thornberries) has written a short version of SHADOW'S BLISS which is currently in production.
A feature length adaptation of SHADOW'S BLISS written by Darren with help from Focus Features producer Claudio Barrientos is subject of negotiations with David Ruiz and Arnie Schlissel in New York.
He is currently in preproduction with Shooting People founder Cath Le Couteur with the adaptation of THE BENDS.
A PICTURE OF TEETERING CROCKERY is currently the focus of interest for a French independent production company.
He is currently working on his time travelling short ONE DOWN with BurstEarDrum Productions and director Sam Dore.
Darren is the founder of the New Bohemians art group in New York City and is an active member of the Dramatists Guild of America.
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