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WILD CARD
HOW I LEARNED TO BE A FRIEND,
HAVE A FRIEND & FINALLY LOVE MY BIRTHDAY.
Martin Milnes was born in the wrong era – or at least that’s how it seemed. As a child he wore jazz-shoes to his junior school disco, expecting eight-year-olds to Mambo like the dancers in West Side Story… but childhood and school days were no Broadway musical.
Martin was different – the cat who walked alone. Birthdays, stingingly empty, held a horrific reminder that he possessed no talent for friendship. Yet once Martin emerged on stage, the jeering turned to cheering; the lonely void was filled by Hollywood stars of yesteryear, worshipped from afar. However – hope was hilariously at hand – and Now, Voyager Martin sailed forth on a Topsy-Turvy expedition into Friendship! But when his world shattered, the stars were there for him; and this time in person. The last surviving veterans of a glamorous era extended their guiding hands. Centenarian swimming partners, D-Day hero drinking chums, and propositions from naughty nonagenarians became every-day normality – and the wisdom, understanding and truths which they passed on completely transformed Martin’s life, outlook and spirit.
At last, with their help, the Wild Card learned how to be a Friend – and realised what a Birthday truly represents. Not to mention, along the way, coming to terms with something which perhaps he should have recognised long ago…
Available now from...
Signed copies available soon
Gyles Brandreth
This is a coming-of-age, coming-out, come-and-meet-me story that’s by turns funny and touching, revelatory and heart-warming.
Tom Perrin, Zuleika Books
Martin's book is a lively romp through Carry On films, disastrous dates, Old Hollywood gossip, forging a 21st Century career-path, wartime heroism, snowstorms thwarting virginity loss, Gilbert & Sullivan, and an afternoon spent with a dominatrix! But it is also a powerful story of coming-of-age and a search for identity.
I am excited and proud to have this on my list.