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Paths of Glory
Michael Foreman Proves Big
Jeffrey Archer
Macmillan
Draw for Seven Stories
HB £18.99
This is a story of a man who loved two dark experiences in the trenches of the
women, and one of them killed him! First World War.
Some people have dreams that are so Even though Paths of Glory is a thriller,
outrageous that if they were to achieve it is not in Archer’s usual mould - there
them, their place in history would be are no twists or turns in the tale and
guaranteed. Mallory’s end is known from the outset,
Paths of Glory is a semi-historical novel, with an account of the 1999 Everest
centering around George Mallory, who mission that located his body.
may or may not have been the first This is a well-told biographical
man to climb Mount Everest. Does his adventure story steeped in nostalgia.
name deserve to be in the list of greats, Paths of Glory is colourful and dramatic,
alongside Christopher Columbus, Isaac reading like a ready-made film script,
Newton and Thomas Edison? right down to the moving memorial
Officially the 1924 expedition, Mallory’s service in Westminster Abbey, featuring
second attempt was abandoned after a tragic widow and the surviving cast of
he and Sandy Irvine failed to return heroes and villians.
home from their endeavor to reach the In short, this book shows Archer at the
summit. Was it possible they died on peak of his imaginative powers.
their way back rather than the way up? He is a terrific story-teller and meets the
Jeffrey Archer has produced an reader’s ultimate test - to want to turn
engaging novel from the instant the page to see what happens next.
Mallory dangerously, but deftly, skips
Moira Dinning
over the rocks on a seaside holiday, to
Rock and Roll The Like The Hurricane:
Tourist Amateurs Clockwork
The Turbulent Life
and Times of Alex
Higgins
Graham Forbes John Niven Margie Orford Bill Burrows
Northumbria Random House
Atlantic Books Atlantic Books
University Press
PB £12.99 HB £12.99
PB £8.99
IMAGE CREDIT: Cast Adrift, Treasure Island illustration © Michael Foreman.
PB £7.99
After emergency surgery saved him It’s all happening in the wee Scottish town Both nasty and far-fetched, this new Box office numbers peaked when
from paralysis, author Graham Forbes of Ardgirvan. There’s the main protagonist, thriller from Margie Orford is highly Alex Higgins played. Never before had
was given hillbilly heroin to kill the Gary Irvine, an average man who has readable. snooker attracted so many spectators.
Seven Stories is the only place in the
pain. achieved enough to be comfortable: a Orford’s real sense of character helps us As a two time snooker world champion,
Rock and Roll Tourist is the story of how business, a wife, and a mortgage. It’s safe, float through the quicksand of the plot, Higgins excelled in his game, but his
H
oused in a Victorian mill in the Ouseburn questions from the audience. The event is free but
Valley, Newcastle, the centre comprises two booking is essential, call Seven Stories on 0845 271
UK dedicated to the celebration of
exhibition galleries, the Creation Station, 0777 ext 715 for details.
he took to the road to quit the habit it’s conventional, and it’s without incident. with the story centring around Clare temper, gambling and alcoholism Artist’s Attic, bookshop and café. Current exhibitions
and get in shape, crossing countries Oh, and he loves golf with a miserable Hart. She’s mature, fit, independent, showed a different side to him, yet he
British children’s literature.
include From Toad Hall to Pooh Corner, celebrating Michael has illustrated for a huge range of authors,
and continents with some of the passion. His love is evident, his capacity to learned, but is low in the humour managed to remain loved by millions. the Centenary edition of The Wind in the Willows, from Michael Morpugo to Roald Dahl, as well as
world’s most eclectic rock bands. play is nil. Meanwhile, his status-seeking department, which, in her line of work, This biography tells the humorous and
and All Aboard, Away We Go!, highlighting the best of writing 20 books himself. He has twice won the Kate
Forbes’ travels take him from Reykjavik wife is shacking up with carpet tycoon a good sense of humour would count shocking truth about the champion’s
children’s books that keep us on the move. Greenaway Medal for outstanding work in illustration
to the USA, and across a musical Findlay Masterson, who is disturbed by the as bad taste. Clare Hart is a profiler of life. His successful sporting career
for children’s literature. This is an exclusive and
spectrum so broad that Anthrax stand financial blitz that would occur if he ever serial killers, though how this came started when he was just 17, when
All Aboard, Away We Go!, features one of Britain’s exciting event, which is bound to inspire and interest
shoulder-to-shoulder with Franz had the guts to divorce his none-the- to be is unknown, other than she is he won the Northern Ireland and all
most successful children’s writer-illustrators, Michael young and older minds alike.
Ferdinand and Wet Wet Wet. wiser wife. Elsewhere, Gary’s brother Lee, sleeping with the Captain of Police. A Ireland snooker championships before
Foreman. A selection of Michael’s brand new
Described as a cross between Bill a model of human failure, sees his seedy bit of a maverick, Captain Rediwaan has turning professional, which propelled
Bryson and Billy Connolly, Forbes is business plan fall apart and lands him in been side-lined for using methods that him into a whole new lifestyle. He He has illustrated
illustrations (2009) for Treasure Island can be seen in Booking call Seven Stories on 0845 271 0777 ext 715
the perfect commentator on a music- direct trouble with Ranta Campbell, boss make him a community hero, but attracted fans and a fresh outlook
the exhibition. Written by Robert Louis Stevenson in Seven Stories 30 Lime Street
travel tour. His passion shines through of the family that ‘runs things’. unacceptable to the Constitution. to the game, while managing to
work for Michael
1883, Michael’s new illustrations are a definite coop Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ
the narrative, and he guides us, with All these intertwined stories take drastic Hart and Rediwaan are very complex selfdestruct in his own personal life.
for the new exhibition. Lynda Jackson, Seven Stories www.sevenstories.org.uk
friendly hands through the intricacies detours when Gary is knocked out characters, seemingly both with life Bill Borrows successfully documents his
of rock and roll. mightily when a golf ball smashes into his beyond the plot, as with most of the roller coaster journey with compassion
Morpugo & Roald
Exhibition Curator explains: “Treasure Island is the
classic pirate tale. Michael Foreman’s new illustrations
With a humour that never fails head. Some good – open championship, other characters. This can make it and truth, from his early years to the
him, Forbes’ book is an engrossing, some bad – murder, and some ugly slightly difficult to follow, and in parts, man he has become today, who suffers Dahl, as well as
use beautiful blue tones to convey the open skies and
wide seas of the original story. His pictures draw us
informative read. Taking us effortlessly – deceit of the worst kind, everything soon the plot is in need of verisimilitude, from cancer and makes a living playing
from a hot and humid Florida night, comes to an explosive head. sometimes teetering on the brink of matches in pubs around Manchester
writing 20 books
into the adventure, helping us to share in the story of
Long John Silver and his terrible crew.”
with steamy, intimate blues, to an An entertaining and easy read; Niven absurd, but that is what thriller novels and Belfast.
enchanting Edinburgh ‘in the chill of a displays a canny knack for great dialogue, are all about. We need the truth to be This biography is an obvious choice
starry winter evening.’ detailed pop-like descriptions and an stretched, we need to be gripped. for snooker lovers, but the interesting
himself.
Interested adults and young people (9+) can enjoy an
evening with Michael Foreman, at Seven Stories on
It is the perfect book for budding ability to paint wonderful, exuberant, and Like Clockwork is probably best read background and life of Higgins makes it
Thursday, 21st May, 6pm-7pm.
armchair travellers. convincing characters, that all merge into when one has a bit of time set aside to a great read for all.
Michael will be speaking about his work, his
a “romp” of a novel. fully understand the plot.
inspiration and his creative process, as well as taking
Helen apsey narinDer purba Caroline stobbart sopHie green
94
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