Becoming Nancy

by Terry Ronald

For David Starr, being cast as Nancy in the upcoming school production of Oliver! is quite a shock. But David is up to the challenge. Living in a three-bedroom semi in 1970s working-class East Dulwich, surrounded by his somewhat colorful relatives, he is bright, smart-mouthed, fanatical about pop music, and ready to shine. Rehearsals begin, and he strikes up a friendship with the handsome yet enigmatic Maxie Boswell, captain of the school football team. As their alliance deepens it appears they might become more than just good friends, but that can't be right, can it? Discovering a confidant in an empathetic teacher, Hamish McClarnon, and spurred on by his no-nonsense best friend, Frances Bassey, David takes on the school bully, the National Front, and anyone else who threatens to stand in the way of true love. Vibrant, warm, and full of life, this uproarious and touching coming-of-age novel, set against the backdrop of South-East London in the thrill of the late 1970s, will transport you straight back to your first music obsession and the highs and lows of your first love.

Genres: LGBT, Gay, Young Adult, Fiction, Book Club, Queer

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2011

Reviews

[Callum Morris-Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has hands-down the worst cover I’ve ever seen in my life, yet it’s an charming coming-of-age/coming-out-of-the-closet novel which offers up a wistful, early eighties slice of queer life. The book is narrated, with an endearing camp sensibility, by 17-year-old Kate Bush/Debbie Harry/Abba enthusiast David who, in the midst of navigating his sexual identity, is cast as Nancy in his school production of “Oliver!”; alongside Maxie, the sporty heartthrob playing Bill Sykes. Adolescent romance ensues, along with all its attendant anxieties and adjustments, against the intolerances of the era and its increasing far-right sympathies. The writing won’t blow your socks off, and it’s a bit gay-bildungsroman-by-numbers, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it, was invested in the characters, and think more people should read it! Even Kylie Minogue’s recommendation graces the front cover and, mercifully, there’s a passable paperback version out now.

[Nadja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berührende Coming-of-Age Geschichte mit einem symphatischen Hauptcharakter und gelungenem Ende. Manchmal hat der Schreibstil ein bisschen genervt (Erinnerungen, Geschehnisse vorheriger Tage eingeschoben), weil so der Lesefluss verlangsamt wurde, aber irgendwie hat das eben doch gepasst.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review also appears on my blog alexreadsboooks
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I trusted the cover of this book, thinking that it would be a fun read, but I was wrong. Don't get me wrong, it does have its moments, and David is really sassy and funny. But that's about it. From homophobia to sexual abuse of a minor, this book has it all. It seems like whenever David finally caught a break and was able to just breathe, the author decided that it was enough and he needed to face some new tragedy, and the further the story progressed the worse it got.

It is really obvious that this book is a debut novel. To be frank, the writing is subpar. The tenses are all over the place and the narration jumps between flashbacks and the present without warning, which makes it really hard to follow the story. On top of that it feels a little like Ronald overdid it with replacing "said" with synonyms. Stylewise it reads a little like bad fanfiction sometimes, which is okay if you're a fan on the internet writing stories for fun, but a no-go for me in published works.

David himself reads a little like someone made a list of gay stereotypes and just ticked them off as they went along. Now I'm not saying that is a bad thing, flamboyant gay men exist after all, but paired with the really homophobic environment David lives in, it just makes the juxtaposition between the two feel overdrawn.

What was great though was to see the amount of support David got from others once he came out. Some took a while to come around, but there were a lot of people that didn't seem likely to accept David the way he is but did so anyway.

Overall Becoming Nancy had a story that was worth telling at its core, but the overall execution and the amount of pessimism really threw me off and made it hard to read. I'm not that easily affected by hate speech in books, but Becoming Nancy grew really tedious really quick. There were times when I had to ask myself if this kid had anyone in his corner, or if he was all alone. And every time I thought it couldn't get worse Ronald just piled more bad things on top. Yes, these stories should be told as well, but I think we could all use a little more hope in them.

If you're easily affected by homophobia and racism, or triggered by mentions of sexual abuse, I'd recommend you stay far away from this book for your own wellbeing.

[Mark Satchwill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. It's basically a coming out/falling in love for the first time novel set in 1979. I was a teenager at the time as the novel is set (though slightly younger) and I so identified with the main character and the emotional turmoil, and the author throws in all sorts of cultural references that might not mean much to a younger audience but give a lovely nostalgic feeling to someone of my age who grew up at that time. It made me laugh out loud and shed a tear. Highly enjoyable.

[Thomas Doran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and gripping. I had high expectations for this book and they were definitely met. It was really gripping and I found it hard to put down. It was very funny as well, and the character development throughout the book was wonderful, and I also felt the characters to be somewhat realistically portrayed as well. Highly recommend this book.

[Andrew Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sweet and engaging story about coming to terms with who you are set against the seventies in East Dulwich, London. Sadly, you don't really get a sense of place and the era is captured by the usual easy memories that crop up time and again whenever film makers evoke the era - like Abba and Debby Harry. The result is that you don't really feel the writer lived through the period.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I am not the biggest reader, but I just could not put the book down!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little book with just the best characters. I thought it was going to be stagier than it ended up being, but I still had a great time.

[Asiuol K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terry Ronald’s novel Becoming Nancy is easy enough to understand. Apparent intelligent and unique Davie Starr is cast as Nancy in the school’s production of Oliver! and he discovers his sexuality with the help of handsome co-star Maxie. Maybe I have a high bar for coming of age stories, but I just viewed it as a dull superficial book.

Let me start off by saying the writing is bloody hilarious. I feel like it’s giving a middle finger to sophisticated elitist readers. The character might be pompous, but they way he is written is absolutely lower to middle class. I can see people, especially teenagers, talking this way. The style of writing is the main reason I was able to get through it.

The plot itself is very boring. David deals with racists and homophobes while coming to terms with his sexuality and falling for the sexy man Maxie. My main issue is that if you take away his realisation of his sexuality, there isn’t a story. Some people might like this, but I just want more depth. Even the subplots feel like they’re only there to reinforce the terror of realising you’re gay, but Ronald really doesn’t care about any of it. It’s also demonstrated that the Ronald
emphasises the issue by having a drag queen compare the tragic romance to Anne Frank.

David exemplifies the self-obsessed lack of depth. His friends go through their own issues, but it’s glossed over so he can only think about how it impacts him. This is highlighted when he insults his fake-girlfriend, who doesn’t know it’s fake, says he’ll apologise later and the apology isn’t really included. It’s as if it doesn’t matter. Other characters are apparently going through issues, but none of this really matters to David. He has to have Maxie love him!

The minor characters and the plots are just highly superficial. Scenes are included for no reason but to say some people are bad and some people are good. Even though David’s lack of concern for others is brought up, there’s no development from it.

It’s an ok coming of age story that involves accepting your sexuality, but I’m sure there are better ones out there. The humorous writing is just enough to save it from being atrocious, but just barely.
4.7/10

[Vermillion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book much more than I did. The synopsis on the back of the book looked promising; music obsessed secondary school kid comes to terms with being gay in 1970's East Dulwich against a backdrop of collisions between the National Front & the Anti Nazi League. But alarm bells started ringing for me when I saw that most of the accolades for this book were from author Terry Ronald's celebrity friends, Kylie and Danni Minogue, and Heat magazine (not known for its literary prowess). Anyway, I ploughed on. I liked the well drawn characters, and the setting, but I found the writing awkward, especially the constant and clunky references to 70's brands, pop stars, lyrics - it was too much like someone was constantly shouting in your ear 'DO YOU REMEMBER THE 70'S? IT WAS GREAT WASN'T IT! DO YOU REMEMBER SPACE HOPPERS? DO YOU REMEMBER CHOPPER BIKES? DO YOU REMEMBER SALT AND SHAKE CRISPS????' every few sentences. And that was REALLY irritating.

However, I did get into the plot, and wanted to know if David and Maxie would get together, but this is really the only thing that kept me reading. A bit of lightweight candyfloss, but not 'A CLASSIC' as one reviewer bellowed unconvincingly.

[Charlotte Coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I searched for this book because of the musical by the same name which premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2019. I saw the musical first, as I was traveling through Atlanta prior to receiving the book. The musical was wonderful - I hope it returns to another (larger) stage at some point.

A wonderful coming-of-age story of a young man living outside of London in the 1970s. Focusing on the main characters exploration to his sexuality as well as his convictions and values, the story takes you through the life-changing parts of these kinds of discoveries as well as the "life-sameness" they can also bring. A journey of finding oneself in the midst of a environment (life) that doesn't really change. Language may not be appropriate for younger readers and experiences are clear word pictures. Brings to the forefront the experiences and challenges of being a teenager.

[Scott Matthewman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly standard gay coming of age story. The first person narrative often hints at big events in the main character's past, which would work if the events in question weren't quite so banal and predictable. At some points, the narrative jumps forward several days so that the lead character can talk mysteriously about the events in between. How much better it would be to follow David's story from start to finish, allowing the author to find the dramatic moments in each scene from character rather than trying to extract them from a weak narrative device.

Still, the characters are nicely realised, despite only a few displaying any great depths.

[JOSEPH OLIVER · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second re reading of this novel. If you like coming of age novels/autobiographies then you will like this one - especially if you lived through the '70s as you will get the cultural references. It's also a photograph in time for anyone born after 1990 who will be amazed and shocked at what was acceptable in school and on the streets at that time.

For me it wasn't laugh out loud really but humour is very particular to the person so that doesn't really mean anything. It has a balanced mixture of comic and dark moments. Well worth a read.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I preferred the first half when it was lighter, and about David discovering who he was, and how he felt.
The second half of the book got a bit complicated and darker, didn't seem to quite feel right.

[Nosheel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get to this (released about 15 years ago) because I like Terry in his usual day job, writing/producing with and for some of my fave pop girlies, most notably Dannii Minogue who is practically his bestie. We also used to chat random shit about music on Twitter in the 00s – a super nice (and talented guy).

“Nancy” was even turned into a musical but I’m rarely a musicals’ gay (shoot me). There were no real surprises here but I enjoyed it. Set in the late 70s, it tells the story of David Starr (loosely based on Terry) landing the part of Nancy in a school production of Oliver. David is also dealing with the usual growing pains of being a teenager at school, with the added pains of what queer kids gotta endure on top, even 50 years later no doubt. Things I loved included the quintessentially British working class humour, the language (same reasons), the activism and diversity (despite the era and despite the bigotry mentioned) and especially the musical icons referenced throughout. In fact Kate Bush, Debbie Harry and Agneta & Anni-Frid make up the supporting dream cast.

Why I struggle with queer British fiction is that it’s nearly always the same tropes: mostly supportive family temporarily become unsupportive while they deal with their own prejudices, only to become supportive again by the end. If it’s queer men, add sex, bullying, over-familiar friends/family without boundaries. If it’s queer women, no sex, just feelings, bullying, but lesser boundary crossing from those around you, replaced by denial. The end.

Maybe I need to write a book. And scene.

[Judith Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2 stars is a bit harsh. I had mixed feelings about this one.
In my mind the narator, David, swung from being a pathetic self obsessed wimp to a conflicted young man confused about his sexuality and what he should do about it.
The period detail about bands, fashion and attitudes rang true. I rememember going to Rock against Racism gigs and marches and the nasty way anyone who was a bit different was bullied.
I was amazed that the teacher, Hamish, could get away with being so openly gay - but thinking about it Section 28 was probably a bit later into Thatcher's reign.
I went to an all girl school so didn't know many 15 year old boys; perhaps my judgement of David may be unfair.
An interesting read, if only to show how we have come on in our attitudes to sexuality and race.
Maybe I'll up the star rating to 3 after all.

[Lady Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know, it’s taken me almost a year to read this book. I am trying to speed up my reading, promise!
From the first page all the way up to where the epilogue starts, I laughed. I laughed because I could hear the voices of the characters, particularly David Starrs. The jokes and one-liners were aplenty. A beautiful telling of a childhood then catapulted into adulthood, not because of his tender years but because of his experiences.

It became almost inappropriate of me to read this book in public as I laughed out loud. Pure brilliant escapism into David’s world. This book should not be taken too seriously although it does cover some important social issues.
Am I heaping too much praise on this book? Perhaps knowing the author may have a little to do with it but in reading the synopsis, I would have bought it anyway.

Well done author!!!! 😉😉😉

[Francie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because my son is in the new musical, Becoming Nancy, which is based on this story. This is not my usual choice of book to read, due to the prevalence of foul language and crude sexual content. So I really can't recommend it to most of my reading friends. I really liked the writing style and underlying themes of this coming of age novel, but the heavy use of language and content I find offensive made it a somewhat unpleasant read. I've seen an early version of the musical though -- it has its moments but is nowhere near as gritty as the book, and I may be biased but I enjoyed it very much!

[Alex Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anybody who says this book is a cliché, or doesn’t accurately portray, a gay experience… they’re wrong. Even if your experience is not like David’s, you can find a way to relate.

This book is funny, heartwarming, soul crushing, and a beautiful depiction of finding confidence in being who you are. I loved every minute of it. I laughed, cried, and cheered. Honestly, might’ve been my best read of 2025.

Don’t read the epilogue though. I am going to pretend like it didn’t exist because I choose to believe David and Maxie fell in love forever and ever.

[Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible book! I absolutely loved it. My friend took me to go see the musical adaption of it and it stayed pretty true to the story. I adore this novel and recommend it, especially to LGBTQ+ youth and people trying to introduce friends or family to the gay community and the homophobia they face.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the differences in both time period and gender this resonated with my own experiences as a gay teenager. Great characters and storytelling that make it impossible to do anything but read it in one sitting!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely coming of age book. Incredibly funny, warm, and heartfelt. A look at what it meant to be gay in the late 70s in London and how one teenager navigates being out, falling in love and high school. This should be made into a movie, it reads a bit like a screen play.

[Helen Kavanagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️. Really enjoyed this book, very touching and sad to think that’s how life was. Sadder to think we’re taking wrong turns and moving back to how things were for the LGBTQ+ community in the late 70s. But also very funny and sweet.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Funny coming of age story but slightly disturbing in places about how he used girls and his own experience of sexual abuse was dismissed as unimportant. Worth reading but not keeping.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Musical theatre, teenage angst, and lots of British-ness. Loved it.

[Isabel Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing wasn’t amazing but it was a fun story and an easy read.

[Mamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never finished it.

[J.M. Fergo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be a compulsory read for all secondary school students.
It is a lovely coming of age, love story that delivers many between-the-lines feelings

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but a bit cliche. Fun and quick read! 3.5 stars

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit this isn't a book I normally would pick up. I read very little adult fiction but was pitched it for review saying it was very much a cross over novel and I agreed to give it a go and I'm so glad I did.

I thought David was a brilliant character. We met him as he has just about come clear in his mind about his own sexuality and follow him as he comes out to his friends an family. I though he was really warm and geniune and loved the relationships he had with the people around him.

I loved David's teacher/gay role model Hamish. I loved that in him David saw the man he could become ... one that was both comfortable with his sexuality but also quite happy to take on anyone that dared to give him grief about it or harrass others. You can certainly see his influence as David grows as a character and becomes more comfortable in his own skin.

I loved this historical setting (yes I know people would disagree and say it isn't historical yet but I studied the time period as part of my History degree so I'm going with it). I liked seeing the attitudes and ideas that were prevalent at the time especially when you consider it is set about the same time as the brixton race riots and only a few years after homosexuality was no longer considered a crime in the UK.

What I loved about this book is that is was very much a book with a story to tell - teenage boy in the 1970s who after coming out as gay has to deal with a huge amount of grief from other parties who treat him horribly because of their bigoted and homophobic view points which it does well. However it does it in such a brilliant way that it doesn't come across as odd or patronising.

As a word of warning to my younger followers who are considering reading this. There is a lot of swearing in this book and there are scenes with sexual content which are quite graphic so maybe not one for younger teens / tweens.

To sum in in short it's like a gay, less irritating and wittier Adrian Mole. I throughly enjoyed it as a heart-felt coming of age story with a brilliant morale and story to tell set in a modern history backdrop. Brilliant