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The Butcher Boys

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About this listen

Our need for identity can jeopardise what we hold most dear.

In a Yorkshire Dales village in the 1970s, best mates Michael, a boy with a strong sense of tradition and family loyalty, and Jack, a boy drawn to new horizons, are there for each other through traumatic childhoods.

But as they become men, set against the backdrop of Thatcher's Britain and the fall of the Iron Curtain, their struggles for identity and the intense rivalry between their butchers' shops threaten to destroy them.

©2024 Chris Gill (P)2025 Chris Gill Coming of Age Family Life Genre Fiction
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I cannot speak highly enough about this beautiful story of 2 males growing up in a small village in the Dales. It is warm, funny and the themes of identity and family expectations ring strong and true. I laughed and cries tears of joy and of sadness. It’s a touching book and I am sure it will hit with anyone brought up in the era.

The 2 principles are great characters. Cool, smooth, independent, ladies-man Jack and family-man, proud, committed Michael. Best friends. A story of how they grew together, grew apart, yet still retain a staunch bond.

Do yoursen a favour and enjoy this.

Warm wonderful Yorkshire set story

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Story telling interwoven with history and politics of the time and effects on the two protagonists, families and villagers. A brilliant listen, ably narrated by the author, was hooked from the start.

Shrewdly observed tale of friendship in Yorkshire Dales Village

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Apologies for the terrible attempt at writing in a Yorkshire accent. But after listening to this book I've found myself saying a couple of things in a Yorkshire accent recently, despite being from of one of the Celtic nations.

Firstly, do NOT be put off by the audio quality. It's completely legible all of the way through and the lack of an all bells and whistles production actually adds something quite authentic sounding to the whole grittyness of the book.

After 15 minutes I paused it, just to absorb the scene I'd just heard. The writing is beautifully done and the description of the actions in the first scene just blew me away, I was absolutely hooked by these two characters straight away.

This book is packed with nostalgia from the 70's, 80's and early 90's. I hope some TV executive picks this up as it would make a brilliant TV drama and the sound track would be phenomenal.

We follow the boys and their friendship thoughtout the book. The people and places all feel incredibly real as does their growth.

This really was a delight to read, and one I'll return to in the future. For me, it was a lucky find from a video on Tiktok, especially as it's not a genre I would have gone for without having known a little more about it.

I could say far more but I don't want to give any spoilers. You won't regret listening to this one.

By 'eck! It's bloomin brilliant!

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