The Wrong Boy

by Willy Russell

Book Overview

The hilarious, bittersweet novel from the playwright behind EDUCATING RITA, SHIRLEY VALENTINE and award-winning musical BLOOD BROTHERS.

Dear Morrissey,
I'm feeling dead depressed and down. Like a streetlamp without a bulb or a goose at the onset of Christmas time.
Anyroad, I thought I'd pen a few lines to someone who'd understand...

It's 1991. Raymond Marks is a normal boy, from...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0552996459
• ISBN13: 9780552996457
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Black Swan Books, Limited
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.0" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

More than a Masterpiece!

Probably the best audio cassett ever experianced. Willy Russell one of the UK's best writers.

A gem of a book

Hilarious, moving and enthralling, a story told by young Raymond, a "not normal" boy, in his letters written to Morrissey. His troubles start with some innocent boys' games by the canal, misunderstood as a perversion by teachers and parents, and escalate from there. He describes his relationships with his family: confused mother, down to earth loving ally of a grandmother, horrendous uncle; and he enjoys the friendship of some slightly odd peers and other interesting characters as he progresses. Even at its most moving, the humour still shines through. An intriguing and gripping plot, it is tempting to rush ahead to discover what happens next, but to do so means sacrificing the sheer joy of reading Raymond's ramblings. Beautifully written, very entertaining and truly involving, this is to be highly recommended.

Not available in America-why?

Firstly,I was surprised in the extreme to see that The wrong boy is not currently available in America but what the hey,Ill review it anyway.This is a book that is in equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking,a tome that moves through one boys early childhood to his ill fated attempt to get a job and break free form his lonely existence.Raymond Marks is a normal boy until the age of ten when he is made scapegoat for a rude boys game at the local canal.Ostracised by his friends and subsequently blamed for a child abduction,Raymonds life moves from one disaster to the next until he ultimately ends up in a secure psychiatric unit.Told in the form of letters to his hero Morrissey,the wrong boy will captivate all who read it and whilst set in Manchester,Northern England will be recognised by people anywhere in the world.Buy it.