The Peckham Experiment

Guy Ware's new novel charts a course from the 1930s onwards through the fragmentary memories of the 85 year-old Charlie, whose identical twin brother JJ has recently died. Sons of a working-class Communist family, growing up in the radical Peckham Experiment and orphaned by the Blitz, the twins emerge from the war keen to build the New Jerusalem.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Salt Publishing

Guy Ware's latest novel takes readers on a captivating journey through the fragmented memories of 85-year-old Charlie, whose identical twin brother, JJ, has recently passed away. Born into a working-class Communist family and raised in the radical Peckham Experiment during the Blitz, the twins emerge from the war with a strong desire to build the New Jerusalem. However, their ideals are shaken to the core in 1968 when a tower block they have built collapses, causing a devastating tragedy. Despite this setback, Charlie and JJ continue to pursue their political aspirations, but when the entire estate is demolished in 1986, JJ retires, seemingly defeated. Now, as Charlie prepares for his brother's funeral, he relives their shared history, their family, and their political beliefs.

Told in a voice that is opinionated, witty, garrulous, indignant, guilty, deluded, and, as the night wears on, increasingly drunken, the novel offers a captivating portrayal of both the idealism and corruption it depicts. It forces readers to question their own positions and consider the complex web of factors that have shaped our world today.

Through the eyes of Charlie, we witness the struggles and triumphs of a working-class family in the face of political adversity. We see the impact of the Blitz on their lives and the sacrifices they made to pursue their dreams. We also see the complexities of their political beliefs, as they navigate the challenges of socialism and communism in a changing world.

The novel's exploration of family relationships is particularly poignant. Charlie and JJ are twins, but their paths have diverged over the years. Charlie has remained loyal to their political beliefs, while JJ has become disillusioned with the system. As Charlie prepares for his brother's funeral, he grapples with the guilt of not being able to save him and the complicated relationship they had.

The novel also delves into the themes of memory and loss. Charlie's memories are fragmented and unreliable, but they provide a window into his past and the people he has loved. As he relives his memories, he realizes that his understanding of his brother and their family is not always complete.

In conclusion, Guy Ware's novel "The Man Who Lived Twice" is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of memory, loss, family, and politics. Through the fragmented memories of Charlie, the reader is taken on a journey through the past and present, leaving them with a deeper understanding of the complexities of human experience and the forces that have shaped our world.

Weight: 190g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784632632