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This Is Memorial Device

By David Keenan
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3.82 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,534 ratings, 191 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
This Is Memorial Device by David Keenan is a nostalgic exploration of the post-punk music scene in a small Scottish town during the 1980s. The novel is structured as an oral history, with various characters providing vivid, personal accounts of the fictional band Memorial Device and the cultural impact they had on their lives. It's a captivating dive into music, memory, and identity within a unique community.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring surreal narratives and are fascinated by the chaotic world of underground music scenes. It offers a unique dive into the intertwining lives of unforgettable characters in 1980s Scotland, capturing the raw energy and spirit of a DIY music revolution with an authentic and immersive style.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

David Keenan's debut novel is a love letter to the small towns of Lanarkshire in the west of Scotland in the late 1970s and early 80s as they were temporarily transformed by the endless possibilities that came out of the freefall from punk rock.

WINNER OF THE COLLYER BRISTOW PRIZE FOR A DEBUT NOVEL
SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE
ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE MONTH
LRB BOOK OF THE WEEK
CAUGHT BY THE RIVER BOOK OF THE MONTH
SHORTLISTED FOR THE COLLYER BRISTOW PRIZE

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Ross Raymond and Johnny McLaughlin are two fanboys dedicated to the Airdrie post-punk scene of the early '80s – the glory years – when anything and everything seemed possible. Looking back on that time – the people, the bands, the underground legends – they piece together a story which has at its core This Is Memorial Device, the greatest band you've never heard of.

Featuring a cast of misfits, artists, drop-outs, small-town visionaries and musicians, This Is Memorial Device is a dark, witty novel depicting a moment where art and the demands it makes are as serious as life itself.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

This Is Memorial Device by David Keenan is lauded for its innovative narrative, depicting the post-punk scene of a small Scottish town through a series of interviews and fictional accounts. The novel is often praised for its vivid portrayal of the chaotic yet vibrant atmosphere of the music scene, offering readers a nostalgic and immersive experience. Critics admire Keenan's ability to blend humour and raw emotion, creating a realistic yet almost mythic world, capturing the complexity of memory and cultural influence.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571330850

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 January 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 253g

Pages: 304

Collections

David Keenan Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction

About the Author

David Keenan grew up in Airdrie in the late '70s and early 1980s. This Is Memorial Device is his debut novel. He is the author of England's Hidden Reverse.

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