The Gritterman

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

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Physical Properties

Description

The haunting, beautifully illustrated story of a seasonal hero and the work he loves 'Sometimes it feels like I might be the only person awake in the whole country. People might find that a lonely thought. Not me...' As the rest of the world sleeps, the Gritterman goes out to work. Through the wind and the snow and the freezing cold, in the blue-black hours when time slips away, he grits the paths and the pavements and the roads. For him, there is romance in the winter and comfort in his purpose. But what would a life without gritting mean A song for the unsung hero, this is a bittersweet story about stoicism, dignity and a man leaving behind the work that he loves. It is accompanied by the author's own illustrations.

Reviews

Extraordinary and original -- Raymond Briggs
Beautifully illustrated ... In its depictions of snowfall and isolation, [it] has a sombre, austere beauty -- James Lovegrove, 'Books of the Year 2017' * Financial Times *
Reminiscent of Raymond Briggs. Weeks's delicate, assured drawings evoke chill-reddened skin, old, trusted machinery, deep shadows, blazing cold and solitude in this superbly atmospheric story -- Imogen Russell Williams * Guardian 'Best New Picture Books' *
The Gritterman is unutterably beautiful -- Jo Whiley
In its wistful, feathery melancholia, the book recalls Raymond Briggs at his darkest, but manages to be uplifting all the same * Financial Times *
A touching Raymond Briggs-like story -- Donna Ferguson * Guardian *
A tender fireside story about an ageing labourer ... A witty, affectionate book ... You feel the story, complete with its soundtrack, would make an enchanting Christmas special on TV, to be repeated every year, in the vein of The Snowman * Evening Standard *
Wry, unexpected, and funny ... A really lovely book -- David Gentleman
[A] poignant picture book, with skilled crayon and wash illustrations ... The story of a working-class hero * Sunday Times *
A beautifully-crafted tale ... An ode to the unsung hero * Hackney Gazette *
A tender fireside story about an ageing labourer ... A witty, affectionate book -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * Evening Standard *
[The Gritterman] reminds me of those classic books you find super comforting as a child, but seem kind of sad or sinister when you view them through adult eyes. The soundtrack is full of glimmering, atmospheric instrumentals with narrations from Paul Whitehouse, and Orlando's voice sounds beautiful spread over a piano -- Daisy Jones * Noisey *
One of the top 12 reads of Christmas * You Magazine *
A quintessentially British story with a tender, powerful look at ageing * Picture Books Blogger *
Reminiscent of Raymond Briggs, a song for the unsung hero * Bookseller *

Author Bio

Orlando Weeks studied illustration at Brighton University before spending a decade in the band, The Maccabees. In 2016, when the group decided to disband he set about writing The Gritterman, his first book.