Abide with me took me to places ive never been but feel now that i totally understand. There is no weight to the book at all, despite westlakes wryly humorous reflections on government corruption, academic corruption, and the general ineptitude of the human race. A really enjoyable book, in the company of a sympathetic protagonist. Abide with me by ian ayris i love the writing of ian ayris. Which brings me to ian ayris brilliant john sissons novels, abide with me and april skies. The long goodbye by ian ayris editing by elizabeth.
Ian ayris lecturer creative writing barking and dagenham. So, two months earlier than anticipated the paperback edition of abide with me is here. John sissons john sissons is a working class kid growing up in. The sequel to abide with me april skies was published in ebook and paperback through caffeine nights publishing in april 2016. About the author ian ayris was born in dagenham, essex, in august 1969. Author ian ayriss complete list of books and series in order, with the latest.
He has had almost forty stories published online and in print, and his debut novel abide with me will be published by caffeine nights publishing. Sissons isnt perfect but he commands our allegiance. His john sissons series of books, abide with me and april skies are highly rated, and his short works are major lights across a ton of anthologies. April skies by ian ayris ronnie swordfish getting killed has got me radar bangin through the roof, like all them eyes i see in the shadows, everywhere i go, theyre all opened up at once all at the same time. Ian ayris is the author of abide with me, a recentlyreleased novel that centres around a young west ham united supporter, john sissons, growing up in londons east end during the 1970s. Abide with me, by ian ayris, is a remarkable first novel. A story of how two boys walked blind into the darkness. When we meet the narrator, john, he is at primary school. The official publication date in terms of book signings and the ebook remains the same but if you fancy getting your hands on a paperback copy of awm, its ready and waiting. It is so very good and its almost scary to say this author has the potential to be even better that even though i was familiar with the quality of ayriss short stories, i was poleaxed by both story and writing in abide with me. His debut novel abide with me was published in 2012 by caffeine nights.
Eight year old john watches his beloved west ham win t. The story is a charming bonbon, aiming solely to amuse the reader, and it succeeds admirably, though the book does not quite rise to the levels of hilarity achieved in. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading abide with me john sissons book 1. Ian ayris writes gritty british fiction and characters with vast emotional punch. Abide with me john sissons book 1 and millions of other books are available for instant access. In abide with me set in 1975 johnny sissons is a young boy from the east end of london. In the first of our as a series, lynda shepherd interviews crime writer ian ayris. Beginning in 1975, abide with me is the story of eightyearold john, and his life growing up in the east end of london. Abide with me john sissons book 1 kindle edition by ian ayris. Ian ayris caught the public imagination with his fantastic debut abide with me. Praise for abide with me if you remember the queens silver jubilee parties, choppers, staying out all day, jumpers for goalposts or have ever had a special football away day then this novel is for you. Ayris may even go a bit further in capturing a vivid slice of life that rings true to this yank. Ian ayris has 18 books on goodreads with 862 ratings. It makes you look like you are up to some mischief.
Eight year old john sissons watches his beloved west. In addition to abide with me, he has one other published work apart from short story contributions to some uk anthologies one day in the life of jason dean. Ian lives in london, england with his wife and three children. No stranger to pen to print, ian has been a mentor to book challengers, as well as running a series of writing workshops for buddi ng writers. Eightyearold john watches his beloved west ham win the cup, while at the same time, kenny tumbles out the front door of the house opposite, blood all over his face.
His debut novel abide with me was published in 2012 by caffeine nights publishing and his novella one day in the life of jason dean was published later that year by byker books, and reissued in feb 2016 by near to the knuckle. We recently met up with ian for a chat about what is also his first fulllength book. Its the story of two boys john and kenny growing up through the 70s and 80s in londons east end. I am very curious to see what ian ayris will come up with next soon, hopefully. With his honed vernacular narrative style and concise, realistic characterisation he draws the reader into a narrative with great skill. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. He was born in dagenham, essex, having spent most of his childhood more interested in kicking a tennis ball about the school. Abide with me is a special book by a special writer. Get all 3 books in ian ayris stunning john sissons series in this beautiful boxset. Working with in on abide with me has been a rewarding experience and one i wont forget.
Abide with me, short story writer ian ayris s debut novel, is an astoundingly simple yet brilliantly written first novel. As john celebrates the hammers beating fulham in the cup final, kenny tumbles out the door of the new peoples house across the street having taken a beating of a different kind. His one day in the life of jason dean is a masterpiece, about a debt collector whose job grates against his love for classical music and philosophers. We werent never bad kids, we just didnt have nothing to hold on to, thats all.
It usually takes some time for me to tackle a new voice in. The debut novel from ian ayris, a well known writer in online circles, abide with me will surely ensure that this author becomes wellknown to a much wider audience, such is the quality of the book. One streetwise and football mad, the other cold and unfathomable. A christian romance novel the lewis legacy series, book 7 joann durgin abide. You have the right to remain silent ian ayris messy. Ayris again demonstrates the importance of family, community, friendship and loyalty. His short fiction is outstanding, packed with images and always tapping nerveends and ripping at heart strings in ways that many dont even come close to. Download the john sissons audiobook series and listen anywhere, anytime on your iphone, android or windows device.
Abide with me john sissons, book 1 by ian ayris book cover, description, publication history. So, i decided to catch up with london author ian ayris to ask him some questions about the book, and how he feels now his debut is out. Ten year old john sissons leads a carefree life, his time is spent mucking about with friends both in and out of school and on saturdays he watches his beloved west ham united football team with his dad. Abide with me available from caffeine nights publishing march 19th 2012.
Cant recommend this highly enough, a perfect audio book. Abide with me by ian ayris editing by elizabeth crime fiction. The book is narrated by john, a fanatical west ham supporter. He has a new novella out, a day in the life of jason dean and it is ayris at his emotive honest best. Abide with me was one of my top 10 reads of 2012 ian ayris was born in dagenham, essex. With power, sensitivity and wit, ian ayris has crafted one of the most authentic snapshots of working class life you will ever read. His john sissons series of books, abide with me and april skies are highly rated, and his short works are major lights across a ton of.
Abide with me by ian ayris meet your next favorite book. This is a coming of age story, a story about friendship and loyalty, of family and choices made. For the first time ever, all 3 books in ian ayris stunning john sissons trilogy in one stunningl volume. Ian ayris, karl jenkinson, caffeine nights publishing. A list of amazon books by the publisher caffeine nights publishing tracked with novelrank and sorted alphabetically. Abide with me is a story of football, friendship, and hope. Its a book about friendship and the power of community. My debut novel is called abide with me and is slated for release some time around october this year. Abide with me john sissons book 1 kindle edition by. This is not a book for those who like a bit of bloodletting in the library with their tea and crumpets. The ending of this book is so powerful, poignant and heart breaking it actually brought tears to my.
Abide with me, short story writer ian ayriss debut novel, is an astoundingly simple yet brilliantly written first novel. Abide with me is the story of two boys forced to walk blind into the darkness of their shattered lives. Having spent most of his childhood more interested in kicking a tennis ball about the school playground with his mates than actually learning anything, he managed to leave the public education system in 1985 with but two o levels and a handful of c. Weighing in at a miighty 560 pages and with a new introduction by the author, this beautiful volume is definitely one to treasure. Ayris writes in the first person narrative vernacular, one of the hardest narrative voices to master. Abide with me is a superb debut novel full of heart, tragedy and humour. Ian brings enthusiasm and ideas along with dedication to complete the job to his best ability. Abide with me has the same clarity of voice, the same dark humor, as well as a poignancy that wrenches and moves the reader.
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