Spit Against the Wind

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Description

In the summer of 1968, four children in a small Catholic community in Lanarkshire in the West of Scotland learn a lot about life and start to grow up. Born to poverty and limited opportunities, they're able nonetheless to enjoy the largely innocent pleasures of childhood but the adult world around them inevitably impinges: the narrator's elder sister, for instance, falls pregnant, no surprise, as she's the village bicycle, and is sent to Ireland to have and give up the child; newcomer Tony and his mum are in danger of real violence at the hands of Tony's violent Polish stepfather; and no child who plays the part of altar boy at the chapel wants to be left alone with the local priest. Observant, clear-sighted in its portrayal of the darker side of life yet utterly warm-hearted, SPIT AGAINST THE WIND reminds us of the wonders of childhood without sentimentality but with gentle humour and great charm.

Reviews

'Striking chords that are still resonant today, this is a book that tugs at our consciences, yet still raises our spirits - a powerful new voice in Scottish fiction' Glasgow Herald - Glasgow Herald

'A charming and evocative tale' The Big Issue - The Big Issue

'I loved SPIT AGAINST THE WIND. It's gritty and warm. A poignantly sad, blackly comic book written with wry hindsight, a backward glance at childhood that evokes a different time without ever dipping into sentimentality' Isla Dewar - Isla Dewar

'An endearing coming-of-age tale... Ms Smith manages to paint a sympathetic picture of families struggling against poverty and stifled dreams... It all adds up to a riveting tale that tanks along without missing a beat' Sunday Express - Sunday Express

'Packed with trauma and drama...Smith's debut novel offers us a new take on a classic theme' Mail on Sunday - Mail on Sunday

'Powerful look at the harsh realities of growing up in a Scots mining village in the 1960s... Threaded with gentle humour. Inspirational and heartbreaking' Sunday Mail - Sunday Mail

Author Bio

Anna Smith is a journalist working on the Daily Record and lives in Lanarkshire. She also has a house in Ireland.