LATEST TITLES

THERE, THERE by Tommy Orange, Harvill Secker, £12.99 (ebook £9.99) A POWWOW is coming up in Oakland, California, and there’s a lot of money to be made. Time flits and flurries, as Orange builds up the months and years before the event, with each chapter hinging on a different character.

He shares their histories, their troubles, and the way they individually intersect with their Native American heritage. There’s Blue, trying to find a way back to her grandsons; Octavio learning to dance like his ancestors via Youtube; Tony, whose face reveals foetal alcohol syndrome, his mother’s legacy.

The book grapples with the impact of alcoholism, gang violence, rape, domestic abuse, obesity, technology, absent parents, loss and grief – but that makes it sound soul-destroying. It’s not. Despite the darkness and pain inflicted upon a nation and articulated bluntly and beautifully by Orange, it’s magnificent, bold, educational and forthright. It’s something of a masterpiece.

THE MADONNA OF BOLTON by Matt Cain, Unbound, priced £14.99 (ebook 99p) CHARLIE knows he’s a bit different to most of the other lads at school. He’s got no interest in football and feels like most of his 9th birthday presents were bought for someone else, until trendy Auntie Jan turns up with the Madonna single Lucky Star.

Charlie is captivated and the “dead good” song makes him feel uplifted and happy. Her songs become a soundtrack to his life as the bright schoolboy tries to shrug off bullies and plan his escape from Bolton in chapters inspired by Madonna songs.

There’s heartbreak and homophobia but in general, it’s a light-hearted, easy read that skims over the darker times.

Cain, former editor-in-chief of Attitude magazine, published through Unbound, where would-be readers pledge financial support to get writers’ ideas into print.