Jason Taylor is 13, doomed to be growing up in the most boring family in the deadest village (Black Swan Green) in the dullest county (Worcestershire) in the most tedious nation (England) on earth. And he stammers. 13 chapters, each as self-contained as a short story, follow 13 months in his life as he negotiates the pitfalls of school and home and contends with bullies, girls and family politics. In the distance, the Falklands conflict breaks out; close at hand, the village mobilises against a gypsy camp. And through Jason's eyes, we see what he doesn't know he knows - and watch unfold what will make him wish his life had been as uneventful as he had believed. Vividly capturing the mood of the times - high unemployment, Cold War politics and the sunset of agrarian England - this is at once a portrait of an era and of an age: the black hole between childhood and teenagerdom.
David Mitchell
David Mitchell is a British author known for his intricate narratives that blend multiple genres and styles. His most notable works include "Cloud Atlas," a novel that weaves together six interconnected stories spanning different time periods and genres, and "The Bone Clocks," a complex tale of immortality and destiny. Mitchell's literary style is characterized by his ability to seamlessly blend realism and fantasy, creating rich and immersive worlds for his readers. His contributions to literature include challenging traditional storytelling conventions and pushing the boundaries of genre fiction. "Cloud Atlas" is widely considered his most famous work, earning critical acclaim and a devoted following of readers. Mitchell's impact on the literary genre has been profound, inspiring other authors to experiment with structure and genre blending in their own works.