Books: daring debut from journalist Mark Hodkinson in his first novel.
Aug 21 2009 by Linzi Nicholson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner.
THE LAST MAD SURGE OF YOUTH. Mark Hodkinson/Pomona Books. £7.99
HAVING written a number of sporting and music-related memoirs, The Last Mad Surge Of Youth is journalist Mark Hodkinson's debut novel.
Not that you can tell from reading the beautifully mapped out, originally-told tale of egocentric rock star John Barrett.
A split narrative, the story of Barrett as an idealistic, ambitious teen musician unfurls in one paragraph, while the next will show the flipside of such success and fill in the blanks as the alcoholic, out-of-favour New Wave icon reflects on his life.
It's a daring technique, and works most of the time. Once or twice, however, the action flits backwards or forwards at a pivotal moment, and misses the presumably desired mark of tension, and merely frustrates.
The characters are well-rounded. Barrett is selfish and self-indulgent to the last, while his partners and friends, notably the enduring Carey, provide the conscience he so sorely lacks.
ANDY WELCH