Man Down
James Goodhand
Will Parks needs to man up.
A man stands. A man fights. A man bleeds.
These are the first lessons you learn in a town where girls are objects, words are weak and fists do the talking.
Will's more at home in the classroom than the gym, and the most important woman in his life is his gran. So how can a boy who's always backed away from a fight become the hero who saves the day?
Because a disaster is coming. One that Will can prevent. But only if he learns the most important lesson of all: sometimes to step up, you have to man down.
A searingly powerful exploration of toxic masculinity, perfect for fans of Juno Dawson or They Both Die at the End.
A man stands. A man fights. A man bleeds.
These are the first lessons you learn in a town where girls are objects, words are weak and fists do the talking.
Will's more at home in the classroom than the gym, and the most important woman in his life is his gran. So how can a boy who's always backed away from a fight become the hero who saves the day?
Because a disaster is coming. One that Will can prevent. But only if he learns the most important lesson of all: sometimes to step up, you have to man down.
A searingly powerful exploration of toxic masculinity, perfect for fans of Juno Dawson or They Both Die at the End.
GENRE
Drama; YA
UK PUBLICATION
March 2022
Drama; YA
UK PUBLICATION
March 2022
Praise
"Good books make you feeling something. Great books change the way you feel about everything. Man Down is a great book. No one is writing about young men's lives with as much warmth, empathy and humour as James is right now."
Samuel Pollen
"A gritty, gripping tale of a young man searching for meaning in a life that's far from ordinary."
Malcolm Duffy
"Emotionally complex, dark and clever - a very unexpected, thoughtful and original book. I can honestly think of no other YA book quite like it."
Gina Blaxill
"Staggeringly good, this richly complex novel by James Goodhand is as accomplished and engrossing as his debut ... Page-turning and compelling, Goodhand deftly handles a narrative that seems to be moving inexorably towards some terribly disaster ... In tears and awe by the final pages, James Goodhand had me hanging on every word. I loved it!"
Louisa Reid
Samuel Pollen
"A gritty, gripping tale of a young man searching for meaning in a life that's far from ordinary."
Malcolm Duffy
"Emotionally complex, dark and clever - a very unexpected, thoughtful and original book. I can honestly think of no other YA book quite like it."
Gina Blaxill
"Staggeringly good, this richly complex novel by James Goodhand is as accomplished and engrossing as his debut ... Page-turning and compelling, Goodhand deftly handles a narrative that seems to be moving inexorably towards some terribly disaster ... In tears and awe by the final pages, James Goodhand had me hanging on every word. I loved it!"
Louisa Reid
Also by James Goodhand
Rights Sales for MAN DOWN
World Rights: Penguin Random House Children's