'A wonderfully observed novel which provides a rare outsider's glimpse of the quiet despair that lurks behind those bright, perfectly-formed American smiles' Literary Review
A portrait of small-town American life.
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Summary
'A wonderfully observed novel which provides a rare outsider's glimpse of the quiet despair that lurks behind those bright, perfectly-formed American smiles' Literary Review
A portrait of small-town American life.
Description
Dan Silas returns to America for his high school reunion where he makes some unexpected discoveries. His former girlfriend tells him that her daughter was his child and Dan's oldest friend has suffered a breakdown and now believes himself to be the reincarnation of an Indian chief. In an attempt to make sense of these disturbing facts, Dan digs further into their lives, with both tragic and comic results.
LEADING THE CHEERS is a rich portrayal of small-town life with wonderfully evoked characters and Justin Cartwright's beautifully observed writing.Awards
Winner of Whitbread Book Awards: Novel Category 1998
Winner of Whitbread Prize (Novel) 1998
Critic Reviews
“"A meditation on time, memory, friendship and identity. It overturns the clich”
A vividly exceptional performance, both for the poetry of its descriptions and the largeness of its themes. It is an off-kilter study of America, from Jefferson to serial killers, and a meditation on the way people cope with death and the lack of meaning in life - Sunday Times
This excellent new novel .... sharply written episodes abound - Mail on Sunday Such a complex and rewarding novel is only what you would expect from such a talented and original writer - Evening Standard A book which is itself individual; eloquent, tender, as well as sharply observant and funny - Sunday TelegraphAbout the Author
Justin Cartwright's previous novel, IN EVERY FACE I MEET, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Justin Cartwright was educated in America and at Oxford University..
Dan Silas returns to America for his high school reunion where he makes some unexpected discoveries. His former girlfriend tells him that her daughter was his child and Dan's oldest friend has suffered a breakdown and now believes himself to be the reincarnation of an Indian chief. In an attempt to make sense of these disturbing facts, Dan digs further into their lives, with both tragic and comic results. LEADING THE CHEERS is a rich portrayal of small-town life with wonderfully evoked characters and Justin Cartwright's beautifully observed writing.
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