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Johnny Come Home

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Johnny Come Home

By: Jake Arnott
Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
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About this listen

 London, 1972: O'Connell, a charismatic anarchist, dies of an overdose, leaving his artist boyfriend, Pearson, and fellow activist Nina in shock. It also leaves a spare room in their squat, so Pearson moves in Sweet Thing, a streetwise yet vulnerable young boy he initially picks up but then tries to help. Pearson isn't the only one who's interested though: glam rock star Johnny Chrome is on the brink of a breakdown and is convinced that Sweet Thing is the only one who can bring him back. As Sweet Thing gets drawn further into Johnny Chrome's dangerous orbit, Pearson and Nina discover that O'Connell was not all he seemed.© Jake Arnott; (P) Clipper Audio Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

Critic reviews

"Exposes the grot beneath the glitter." (London Express Standard)
"Hypnotic, feverish, and altogether wonderful." (Guardian)
"Beautifully observed and brilliantly paced." (Independent)
All stars
Most relevant
I have always been fascinated by the seventies, the decade of my birth. This book conveys the feeling of the times wonderfully. Engaging story. Wide assortment of intriguing characters (who the narrator really brings to life). Many of them struggling to hold onto their disappearing dreams. I particularly liked Nina and Sweet Thing.

I adore Jake Arnott and David Bowie (as they did each other). Funny that my two favourite Arnott novels (this and The Devil's Paintbrush) have the most blatant Bowie references in them (Sweet Thing's name and Jojoboy's eyes (from TDP)). I sometimes wonder whether Bowie's number Dirty Boys is Arnott influenced.

Highly recommended.

Beautiful depiction of the murky, churning and sparkling seventies

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I liked the story and the way the author & narrator brought us through the journey of early eighties London life from (mostly), the viewpoint of the working class and police. I enjoyed the flow and storyline but really, the end came so fast and ended so abruptly that I actually checked for a missing part. I had to listen again to the last fifteen minutes to make sure I had the ending, and on a second listening the author had completed what had been set out. It just seemed to me that when they got to the last chapter, it was hurried. A good story though, and well done in the telling. I would recommend it for the 1980's scene and historical events of that time.

Good listen, but abrupt ending..

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Loved it
Narrator was great
Great historic / fiction rample through a interesting part of modern times

1st listen, great choice

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*semi-spoiler* the end comes out of nowhere, as if the author was rushing to finish an exam. I’m surprised that this book didn’t receive a Bad Sex in Fiction Award, as the sexual descriptions are in minute detail and all together too literal making for an uncomfortable read (even the ones that are presumably supposed to be enjoyable). Lots of really interesting themes from an interesting era but overall I doubt I’ll be returning to this to listen again.

Underwhelmed

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