Wow! This was a really beautiful view of masculinity. I'm female, grew up with sisters, went to a single sex female school, consider myself a feminist and have predominantly read female voices. This book presented a non sexist, non toxic male voice and characters in a really beautiful and reassuring way. These are the kind of men I would have liked to have met in my youth and grown up with. The setting in the 80s was something I could relate to particularly the social and cultural references - Britain, Thatcher and 80s music. Although the ending was sad it was handled in a really sensitive way. Very thoughtful and touching book. ( )

Beautiful, beautiful book. Highly recommend. ( )

This book is a testament to friendship and what we are willing to do for love. The first half set in the mid 80s as James, Tully and their band of friends head from Scotland to Manchester for the weekend of their lives filled with music, snogging, banter and the kind of conversations you have when you are young and going to change the world. The second half picks up nearly 30 years later when those conversations have changed but the friendships built on their foundation have endured.

Early on in this book I realised how seldom I read novels with cis straight white men as the leads but what made this book stand out for me was the tenderness and friendship between James and Tully (and the larger group) the kind of friends who you can slag to high heaven and yet still have those quiet moments of comfort, the friends you can rely on because you’ve been through so much together.

This book had me in tears by the end but left me with a strong feeling of the power of love. I am sure the BBC adaptation of this (airing 28th & 29th December) will be the same so have your tissues at the ready.

The surplus of references made to Scottish culture and society is fascinating as it is confusing. If you know the slang, the places and the history it is easy to keep up with - if not, it is a learning experience. The language is fast paced and keeps the ball rolling throughout the whole book. The writing, overall, is gorgeous. The dialogue between the characters give so much life and personality. It is easy to get attached to the characters - to like them and dislike some qualities they possess. The themes include, but are not limited to, nostalgia, teenage-hood, flashbacks, death, love and friendship.

Overall, great book. ( )

The first half is full of male adolescent energy. The second half still has much of the energy tempered by the intervening decades. O'Hagan explores this transition towards the ultimate conflict, an early death. It's rare to find a book which explores death and our potential to control the how and when with such grace and ambiguity. ( )