Chucking Putty At The Queen: A Memoir - Volume Two

By Simon Smalley

In his second volume of memoirs we rejoin Simon as he strives to establish his identity on a tough, 1970s inner-city council estate following the death of his mother to breast cancer when he was just eight years old.

Struggling with disability, body dysmorphia, and paranoia, he encounters ridicule and violence at his flamboyant appearance. Being 'different' is not without difficulties, and we witness how his fabulous, glittery debut at a church youth club is far from what he anticipated; how a visit to the adventure playground becomes more of a misadventure; and how a shocking incident at a football match confirms his continuing sense of alienation.

Once again we meet Sid, his ex-RAF tail gunner father whose unwavering support for his unusual son is unexpectedly tested with the arrival of punk rock.

Determined to find his own tribe, we're at Simon's side during his first night in a gay club - but after such a tortuous journey

to get there, will he find the true love that he desperately yearns within the strobe and neon-lit paradise?

Chucking Putty At The Queen is a simultaneously heartbreaking, humorous, and courageous memoir of living authentically.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1919470603
• ISBN13: 9781919470603
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Smalley Books
• Length: 366 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"