The Madonna of Bolton

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Description

'A trip down memory lane around the glorious streets of Bolton a novel with a heart as big as Moss Bank Park' Sara Cox

'A book for anybody who feels at all marginalised, small, bullied or lost' Claudia Winkleman

'Fabulous Matt Cain and fabulous Madonna together at last what a treat' Jenny Colgan'A glorious celebration of the queen of pop and a triumphant coming-of-age tale about the power of being true to yourself' Juno Dawson

'It's a cracker!' Lorraine Kelly
'Beautifully and sharply drawn' Sunday Times

Charlie Matthews' love story begins in a pebble-dashed house in suburban Bolton, at a time when most little boys want to grow up to be Michael Jackson, and girls want to be Princess Diana. On his ninth birthday, Auntie Jan gives him a gift that will last a lifetime: a seven-inch single called 'Lucky Star'.

Casting Madonna in the role of his spirit guide, Charlie draws on the pop icon's audacity and ambition to help him find the courage to overcome his own obstacles and become a success in life. His obsession sees him through some tough times, but in order to be truly happy, he'll need to find his own inner strength.

Reviews

• Shades of Billy Elliot colour this sequinned, unrepentantly Eighties tale of coming-of-age and finding your own voice Mail on Sunday
• Sharply and beautifully drawn Sunday Times
• An uplifting and nostalgic gem of a novel Heat
• This book made us laugh and cry, and entertains from start to finish Attitude

• 'A joyful tale that will move you to laughter and cheers' i

• 'A fun, relatable read tackling life's obstacles in a way that's relatable to all' DIVA

• 'Hilarious, heart-wrenching coming-of-age novel' The Pool

Author Bio

Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, and a leading commentator on LGBTQ+ issues. He was Channel 4's first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the national newspapers and appeared on BBC Breakfast, Lorraine, Good Morning Britain, The Today Programme, Front Row and Woman's Hour.

Matt is also an ambassador for Manchester Pride and a patron of LGBT+ History Month. In 2021 he received an honorary doctorate from Bolton University and in 2023 he addressed the Cambridge Union. In the 2025 New Year's Honours List Matt was awarded an MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture.

Matt's breakthrough work of fiction, The Madonna of Bolton, became Unbound's fastest crowdfunded novel ever before it was published in 2018. In 2021, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle was published by Headline, followed by Becoming Ted and One Love. His Quick Read Game On was one of the official short novels of World Book Night 2024.

Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt now lives in London with his husband, Harry, and their cat, Nelly.