Why I wrote a book called ‘Parklife’
30 years ago this month, I was a 15 year old heading off to Hull Uni SU to celebrate my birthday with best mate Becky who lived over the road. I was feeling particularly grateful to Becky because, for my 15th birthday, she’d bought us both tickets to see Blur. It think they cost £6.50 or something. It was 1993 (the same year I saw Senseless Things at Hull Uni).
This, of course, was pre ‘Parklife’, but we were teens very much taken with There’s No Other Way and Becky had both Leisure and Modern Life is Rubbish on vinyl.
Fast forward 30 years. I turned 45 this month and, tonight, I am heading to Newcastle City Hall to see Blur!
But I didn’t call my second novel Parklife just because I was a Blur fan. To be fair, I couldn’t reel off a full album track listing and you’d probably call me a crappy, fair weather fan girl because it’s pretty much just the hits that I know…
The main reason I called my book Parklife was to specifically tackle addiction stigma.
The second reason I called it Parklife was to tap into the Britpop scene that was thriving in the 90s - when my book was set.
Parklife is the sequel to The Twenty Seven Club - a story set in 1994 when its main character, Emma, learns of the tragic death of Kurt Cobain. The narrative about rock stars dying aged 27 unnerves her - not least because she’s 26. But it explores the nuance and complexities behind such headlines - notably the idea that, as fans, we don’t really know what goes on but we can take a pretty good guess that it’s got far more to do with life than any cosmic number.
Anyway, back to Parklife…
Yes, it reminds us immediately of Britpop and Blur. But having worked extensively with two recovery charities, Road to Recovery Trust and Recovery Connections, and having worked a lot in media portrayals of addiction and mental health, the image of the ‘drunk on the park bench’ was something I really wanted to tackle.
It’s what many people still think of isn’t it. The tatty alcoholic slumped on a bench with a bottle of cider. But addiction isn’t that obvious. At least, not until somebody’s hit rock bottom - but even then it can be hidden and sneaky.
So, fast forwarding Parklife to 1996, I wanted to explore the impact of trauma and mental health problems on Emma. And I’m sorry to say I put her through the wringer a bit…
The book is indeed set in a park. And there is indeed a scruffy old man sitting daily on a park bench. But in fact, while seemingly functioning, showing up to work and doing her job, it is Emma who is struggling with addiction (I don’t think I’m giving away too much of a spoiler here). So we see her preconceptions and self denial unfold…
So, while I am celebrating the band that brought us the famous song of the same name, I hope my inspired book title and its important themes might capture your attention. If you like dark humour, a rollercoaster ride, nostalgia, music and a summer setting, it could be just what you’re looking for this bank holiday…
Details of the book are below. Hope you enjoy it.
Lucy x