What's the Name of That Book??? discussion
This topic is about
Magnificent Joe
SOLVED: Adult Fiction
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SOLVED. Fictional book set in NE England following a main character recently released from prison and his disabled friend. [s]
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I think the disabled man's name is Joe.
Magnificent Joe by James Wheatley? The reviews mention a Joe and a Barry (and main character Jim, just released from prison).
Yes, that's the one. Thanks so much!
The book follows the main character who at the offset of the book has been recently released from jail, where he's been since his teenage years. He struggles to adapt to life outside feeling socially isolated and technologically behind.
It's set in a small town in North East England and the characters are very working class. The main character's friend Barry, whom he secretly loathes offers him employment. He has another friend who's due to get married - the girl he's due to get married with has a complicated relationship with the main character.
The man has a disabled friend who lives in the town and is a few years older. He represents one of the few things that time has unchanged to our main character who takes sympathy on him. The disabled man lives with his eledery mother and is involved in creating the backdrop for the annual high school play. The title of the book may possibly refer to this character who's name too escapes me.
I've got Middlesborough in my head but I envision them definitely in a smaller settlement. Maybe it's set in this general area. The theme of social deprivity is apparent throughout. The book is set somewhere from the late 90's until the 2010's.
A lot of the book takes place in the character's flat and the pub.