JB Morrison - A Godawful Small Affair
by Fiona Hutchings
published: 10 / 4 / 2020
intro
Following the success of his memoir last year, JB Morrison, the former frontman of Carter USM, is back with his fifth novel. Fiona Hutchings ponders whether 'Stranger Things coming to Brixton' is a good thing.
I think Dave Gorman sums it up best (and handily sticks it on the front of the book). "Musicians are meant to be dilletantes at best, but Jim keeps on being a proper writer." I felt some trepidation picking this book. Reading time is precious for me for one thing and you can't blame me (since this is the first of Morrison's books I've read) for being at least a little bit nervous about reading a novel by a musician. Yes, Morrissey, 'List of the Lost' is just one of the many entries on your charge sheet. JB Morrison has given me renewed hope. 'A Godawful Small Affair' is a fantastic, concise and moving story about a boy and his missing sister. The obvious links to Bowie were another potential cause for concern. Placing an icon seemingly front and centre of a novel generally goes one of two ways, but thankfully this time Bowie feels neither out of time or place in this story. His is not a starring role and neither should it be. Alien-obsessed Nathan is the star here and is engaging, sometimes unintentionally funny and occasionally heart breaking. His older sister has gone missing. Nathan knows she's been abducted by aliens again and also how to get her back. There are so many different strands and events happening around Nathan, and Morrison skilfully stays with him while giving us enough information to allow us to put more of the story together than Nathan can perhaps comprehend. The book also includes a companion piece,'Harvey King Unboxes His Family'. The press release suggest we "consider them a double A-side single of fiction." Again we meet characters sharply drawn in more than one dimension in situations immediately relatable. From the casual cruelty of internet trolls to the destructive secrets families keep from each other Morrison proves he knows how to draw you into a page turner while skilfully avoiding cliches and obvious breadcrumb trails. These are novels for readers of almost any persuasion, music, fiction, thriller or, in its way, social commentary. And if it means you are still humming 'Life On Mars' to yourself a couple of weeks later there is definitely worse things your could be doing with your mouth...
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeyIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Sam Brown - Interview 2008
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart