Lopez Blogs

It's actually quite difficult to review a book - more so than music. With music, you can gush about the bits you like, what's amazing, brilliant lyrics yet somehow not give anything away - because until you've heard it, it doesn't really give much away anyway. A book you have to be careful not to give away the plot too much or what happens to the characters or the ending, yet give people an overall impression of why they would or wouldn't like it. In the case of "Becoming Nancy", this is compounded by the fact that I'm a bit of a stan of author Terry Ronald. Not only is "Roma" a very good album indeed (particular faves include Calm The Rage, Chains of Love and What The Child Needs), but his work with Dannii, Geri (Surrender Your Groove should have been a single) and more recently Elouise is always corking. AND! The Sheena Easton album "Fabulous" (which he produced and wrote some of) is one of my "go to, make me smile" albums (and features his vocals on the lovely On My Own).

So there you go. And now he has a genuinely charming, utterly engaging debut novel. Essentially the premise is this: in 1970s East Dulwich, young David Starr is cast as Nancy in his all boys school production of the musical Oliver. While he is preparing for this, he falls in love with new student (and football captain) Maxie, dreams of Abba, Kate Bush and Debbie Harry, experiences racial and homophobic prejudice (along with his friend Frances and comes across a whole world of intriguing characters who leap from the page, fully formed and fascinating. There are highs and lows, struggles and triumphs, tears and tantrums, set backs and achievements. No one is perfect and not everyone gets their happy ending. This is a novel for anyone who has felt different, felt like they had to struggle to find their place in the world and found (or is looking to find) the courage to be who they know they are. Here are some of the reasons why I have fallen in love with this book...

• The music ~ Becoming Nancy got me thinking of how I idolised Kylie Minogue and Debbie Gibson as a 15 year old. I worshipped their music, devoured the lyrics, followed every move, spent £££s on imports and rare editions of their music just because it was them. I could pull any lyric and make it relatable to whatever situation I was going through at that time. David is the same. He is besotted with Debbie Harry, Kate Bush and Abba. They invade his dreams and his reality. They give him confidence. They are his guardian angels. Anyone who has loved music will completely connect with this. It's a running theme that links together the various plot happenstances and there are some lovely vivid descriptions that evoke how music really can bring the people together...
• The pop culture references ~ it starts almost instantly. David reminisces over his elderly neighbours, Bette and Joan in chapter one. It's littered with references to the fashions of the time, things you could buy, Crossroads, Smash Hits et al. It creates a really convivial atmosphere for the reader - it's not knowingly winking at you, but you are bound to sit up and think "yes! I remember that!" and immediately feel your kinship with the characters grow... Also, there's this stirring in David (and those who mentor him) as he learns of the great vast library there is to discover of things before your time. This isn't exclusive to being gay, but that great exploration any young adult goes through thanks to passionate people in their lives.
• The supporting cast ~ unfortunately, every gay boy (or someone who is perceived to be gay) has a Jason or Mr Lords in their life. They spew bile and violence like it's their right to feel morally superior in life. It's uncomfortable to read and leaves you feeling enraged. As it should. This is counterbalanced by people like Frances, teacher Hamish and a kindly old drag queen. You just hope 15 year old kids like David have people like this in their lives. They are lovely, wise, encouraging, supportive, daring and compassionate.
• Jesus ~ this novel has the most audacious and satisfyingly hilarious response to the age old "jesus wouldn't like your gay shenanighans, would he?" statement ever. EVER. I want to go back in time and use it oh so many times.
• Maxie ~ It's easy to see why David fell for Maxie. I did a little bit. He's charming, handsome, cheeky, presumptious, impulsive. I fell for him a little bit too. His story within the story is as fascinating as Davids, and while I have no doubt that David is out there somewhere today, happy and successful, I do wonder what happened to Maxie. And that's good. Caring about characters and worrying about their future is a sign of exquisite writing.
• The tragedy ~ there are several gay characters in Becoming Nancy. One learns to accept and verbalise that he is gay. This doesn't necessarily make life easier, but it does give him a confidence and renewed vigour to deal with whatever life throws at him. One isn't so certain. This is a little bit heartbreaking and the consequences of this affect not only the person involved but others also. It's what is "between the lines" of writing that really stands out - enough background has been given to understand the decision, even pity the environmental and social constructs that determined it. It still broke my heart a bit though...
• The triumphs - Terry never makes out that coming out is easy. There are clear ups and downs for anyone that does this, perhaps more so in the 1970s. I really liked how David was best friends with Frances, another outcast in a way because of the prevalent racism at the time. It ensured that neither David or Frances are a victim, neither does it portray them as unique to this situation. Lots of people go through being an outcast and this book is for them. They both end up having personal triumphs that make you want to cheer. Whether this be shallow (a first hilarious hand job) or meaningful (standing up to a bully), they matter. Ultimately in becoming Nancy, David becomes the start of the great man I know he's going to be.

I thoroughly recommend this novel. it's as laugh out loud funny as it is heartbreakingly sad. It's warm and genuine and rousing. In Terry Ronald, England finally has an author to rival the lovely gay themed novels of american author David Levithan.

Order Becoming Nancy here...

Follow Terry Ronald on twitter here...