'RIOT' is is set in London in 1981, the summer we remember the Brixton Riots, and loosely based on real-life event. Amazon would call it “fact-based-fiction”.
'RIOT' is the eagerly anticipated pre-qual to the critically acclaimed 'RAVER' released last summer. 'RIOT' follows three inter-linked stories leading towards the night that changed England forever, the 1981 Brixton Riots.
We follow Devon, (hero/anti-hero from the 'RAVER' book), a mid-twenties part time scrap-yard worker and casual drug dealer who lives for dub reggae, nightclubs and girls, while avoiding the attentions of National Front anarchists. Ducking and diving his way through the south London underworld we see him inadvertently turning police informant on a city-slicker, white-boy-wanna-be-gangster, kicking off devastating chain of events.
We also follow John, a Cambridge graduate and recently graduated Police Officer who, after completing his policing course at Hendon, is mysteriously promoted and immediately posted to Lambeth Division. Tasked with resolving the growing ‘community issues’ in Brixton, he wrestles with the culture of the Metropolitan Police and machinery of Government and his own social construct. He discovers the inter-connected influences that would eventually result in the deployment of a stop and search strategy known as Swamp ’81, and eventually the largest and most devastating outbreak of public disorder the UK has ever seen.
Lastly, we follow Devon’s teenager brother, Marlon, struggling with girls, growing up, (fast), and fighting with rival gangs. His failed attempt at settling a long-running feud with a neighbouring gang ends with him fearing for his victim’s life and his own future. On the eve of the riot, his victim returns with horrific consequences.
If you remember seeing the riots on TV, or if you have watched any footage on Youtube, the story will definitely resonate with you. The soundtrack, (yes, as in 'RAVER', it has an iconic soundtrack), is a heady mix of dub-reggae, new romantics and ska.
Although based on real life events, (some very gruesome!). 'RIOT' is a story about life, and what it was like to grow up in London during the 1980s, which was awesome, but also overwhelming (personally I was 10 years old when the riots kicked off). Coming out if the 1970s, the 80s was a time of violent protest, or standing up for ourselves and fighting against the political elite, it was also a time when electronic music was created and hit the main-stream, giving rise to house, techno, drum and bass and hardcore – it was indeed a time for massive change.
'RIOT' is available on Amazon right now as a paperback and also Kindle.
The third book in this trilogy is called 'YUPPIE' and is set 5 years after 'RAVER' in 1994 New York City and follows the post-rave journey of Paul Devons best friend who features in both 'RAVER' and also 'RIOT', as he develops his career in high finance with money, women, money, hip-hop, money, sex-clubs, money and lots and lots and lots of crack cocaine.
'YUPPIE' will be released later in the summer.
STEPHEN JAYDELL
No comments:
Post a Comment