Tony Parsons: Stories We Could Tell

After writing about family matters in his first four novels, Tony Parsons has returned to his roots as a music journalist for his fifth book, Stories We Could Tell, based on his formative years, learning the ropes at English weekly music bible the N.M.E. in the late 1970s.

Stories We Could Tell is set over a 24-hour period, beginning late on August 16, the day Elvis Presley died and, fittingly, considering the night-owl existence most of the characters lead, climaxing in the early hours of the day afterwards.

Stories We Could Tell has been promoted as being set in the form-ative days of the original punk era. However, Parsons never puts a name to the burgeoning genre and he also shows how traditional rock and even disco were still flourishing at the time.

Tellingly, the novel's title is taken from a song by the Everley Brothers, while Parsons' pulpy, coming-of-age plot resembles the classic film, Quadrophenia — soundtracked by The Who — as well as director Julian Temple's under-rated, early rock'n'roll-era melodrama, Absolute Beginners.

Parsons divides his narrative between three journalists, who all work at The Paper, his fictional facsimile of the N.M.E: Terry, whose irascible character is closest to the author himself, is going out with Misty, a young photographer who resembles but isn't identical to Parsons' old flame, fellow N.M.E. journalist Julie Burchill; Ray, a young hippie on the verge of being sacked as his musical era has passed; and the politically minded Leon, who is more interested in writing about the recent Lewisham Riots than reviewing the latest new band.

Anyone wanting a cerebral reflection of the punk era would be better off reading Rip It Up, music critic Simon Reynolds' upcoming book on the early 1980s, post-punk era, as Parsons' tone is conversational and the novel's ambition undeniably populist.

Parsons is not interested in the long-lasting legacy left by bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Clash but instead explores the impact the changing musical and social culture of the time — Margaret Thatcher was on the verge of being elected Prime Minister — had on ordinary folk such as Terry and Misty and their families.

Stories We Could Tell is both a compelling trip down memory lane for both those old enough to remember as far back as 1977 and an intriguing introduction to an important period in British history for those who aren't.

* Stephen Jewell is an Auckland reviewer.
* Harper Collins, $36