First Time Solo

by Iain Maloney

It's 1943 and Jack Devine, a farmer's son, is finally called up to the RAF. Jack dreams of becoming a pilot, breaking hearts, and returning home a hero. The realities of training are very different, with boredom, bullying, and casual violence the norm. Drawn together by a love of jazz music, Jack makes friends with Terry, a worldly Welshman dabbling in the black market; Joe, an active Communist, as well as Yorkshire poet Doug. Jack, Joe and Terry form a jazz band to surprising acclaim and for a while an alternative future to that preordained for each seems possible. But the initial camaraderie soon gives way to simmering resentment as age-old tensions resurface, ultimately resulting in tragedy.

'I was captivated by Jack's coming of age amid the personal and political dramas of the Second World War. Finely-crafted, hugely compassionate and often very funny, First Time Solo is an assured debut flight by an author to watch.' Zoe Strachan, author of Negative Space, Spin Cycle and Ever Fallen in Love.

'This is an assured debut in which Maloney uses a confident and authentic grasp of era and setting to create a compelling set of characters facing issues of friendship, loyalty, ambition and revenge. An engrossing read.' J David Simons, author of The Credit Draper, The Liberation of Celia Khan and An Exquisite Sense of What is Beautiful.

Shortlisted for The Guardian Not The Booker prize 2014

Genres: Fiction

219 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2014

About the author

Iain Maloney was born in Aberdeen and now lives in Japan. He is the author of 8 books and the forthcoming The Japan Lights (Summer 2023)

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the beginning might sound like just another WWII story of heroism and sacrifice turns out to be so much more than that: Think coming-of-age story à la Iain Banks with a compelling and refreshingly different perspective of the war - focussing on the youth that lost brothers while waiting for their turn to take over the fight.

While following Jack Devine on his way to war you learn what it means to grow up without a perspective or future other than war, to be in limbo between youth and adulthood in times where tomorrow might never happen, to move on and follow a dream although there might be no future for you. And at the same time you see him grow, learn, decide and find his way, you suffer with him through his hangovers and get a crazy grin when he finally gets to fly.

Without ever losing himself in details Iain Maloney captures growing up, the UK in 1943 and daily life during WWII perfectly and makes you almost want to become a pilot yourself.

[Spencer Broadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was unsure if I would enjoy this book, but was nicely surprised.
The "coming of age" and frustrations of young men really came through.
The friendships and ups and downs of that were well written.
The problems of life within a close environment with your peers also comes out very well. Many problems and resentments show themselves.

The actual plot and storyline are found generally, and I don't want to be someone who is a spoiler. However, the plot is easily found elsewhere, including goodreads.

I will end by saying thanks to goodreads and Freight Books for the free copy I received

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book in writing and paper. There is something magical about holding it and this is more than what it seems. This is not another war story, it is a wonderfully written and well-balanced novel that has a mature, accomplished voice. It looks at the subjects of war that are often forgotten or glossed over without embellishing or abusing history to be more dramatic.

Fantastic work and I look forward to reading more of Iain Maloney's novels.

[Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting snapshot of coming of age during the second world war. Reminded me somewhat of The Emperor of Ice Cream by Brian Moore.