The Astonishing Anniversaries of James and David, Part One

by M.J. Dees

Twins growing up together. One is incredibly lucky, the other astonishingly unlucky. One content, the other always striving for more. But will either of them manage to cope with all the obstacles which life throws at them? The Astonishing Anniversaries of James and David is as much a nostalgic romp through 70s, 80s and 90s England as it is a shocking and occasionally tragic comedy.



"Once I started, I had a hard time stopping"



" I enjoyed the story very much, and I kept wondering what was coming next"



"This would turn into a pretty good movie."



"I love how the storytelling focuses on a view of their lives through the one day - their birthday"

276 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2020

Reviews

[Samantha Henthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very different, following the lives of twins James and David each chapter is their birthday from the seventies through the eighties and nineties and now. The characters are well formed and very different. The naughty boy James became successful and well travelled. The sensible David was extremely unlucky but took everything in his stride - some that he shouldn't have. Heartwarming accompaniments of parents and older sister. Factually correct true to (what I remember) of the time and beautifully brought back memories to the reader. Part one? I hope there's another, the ending was a cliffhanger.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

they are twins but are very different. one is lucky while the other unlucky. one is content while the other always wants more. see where these twins will go and where theirs lives will take them. a lovely little tale

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kazia Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story follows the lives of twins James and David once a year on their birthday. It feels authentic to its time, starting from their birth in 1971 to 2006. Well paced and will make you tell yourself "just one more chapter" until you've read the entire book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliantly written heart gripping emotion story from this very talented British writer! An amusing up & down journey about two brothers growing up around Hull! A whirlwind of childhood memories from growing up in the UK! Can't recommend this author enough!

[CLAIRE L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average

This book is very average. Lots of typos and grammar mistakes made it difficult to read for me. No real story.

[MGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts off as a trip down memory lane. How refreshing to pull out those old memories.

But really is is the story of the life of twins, James and David. They had that connection that twins often have, even more amazing was how different they were. Every birthday the stories relives that day and in essence summarizes the prior year. It is an interesting way to pull the reader in and fill them in on the life of these two men.

The book has a very dramatic end, leaving the reader hanging, wanting to know what are the next steps? What will next year reveal? It is a dramatic conclusion to "life in this family will grab you every which way".