Ugly Dogs Don't Cry

A modern retelling of Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men, this landmark work from DD Armstrong is a poignant look at intimacy, friendship, and masculinity.

“"The premise of this novel alone caught my attention, the author behind it even more so. With exceptional skill and sharp insight, DD Armstrong creates the most authentic representation of West London youth culture I've seen yet; his voice is fluid and natural, a joy to read, ranging from the humorous, to the emotionally gut wrenching within a few immersive pages. Here is a writer with infinite promise at his fingertips. Something tells me, with this reworked classic, he's only just getting started." -- Courttia Newland, author of A River Called Time”

DD Armstrong impressively reimagines Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men by merging its themes of male friendship, loneliness, and the American Dream with a post-Grenfell West London that immerses the reader in the youth culture of today.

By masterfully unraveling the complexities of masculinity and Black British youth culture, Armstrong has made this well-known novel relevant to today's society.

Armstrong's deep dive into the social politics of teenage love, life, and friendship will resonate with you. The novel will keep you gripped, with characters that make you nostalgic for Steinbeck's classic but also paint a brilliant picture of a new and diverse future.

DD Armstrong is an author, playwright and international educator who holds a MA in Stage & Screenwriting after earning a scholarship from Regents University. He is the creator of The Beyond Words anthology. He teaches Self Development Through Creative Writing to prisoners in the UK and the United States. DD is also a script consultant and his portfolio includes working at the BBC Writersroom as well consulting for a number of British feature films including The Intent and Adulthood.

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