Published April 2019 by Limelight Classics.
Read April 2020.
The Princess of Felling describes Elaine Cusack's childhood and adolescence growing up on Tyneside, in the 1970s and 1980s.
The book pays homage to her home town of Felling on Tyne and is an extended, loving letter to her late parents.
This illustrated poetic memoir features a Foreword by Michael Chaplin, photographs of Felling taken in summer 2018 by Rossena Petcova and unique maps by poet and artist Steve Lancaster.
The book contains reminiscences by Felling folk plus guest appearances by Nick Heyward, David Almond, Tracey Thorn, Sir Kingsley Amis, The Reverend Richard Coles, Lady Elsie Robson, U.A. Fanthorpe, Gyles Brandreth and more.
More about the book and author:
This illustrated poetic memoir features a Foreword by Michael Chaplin, photographs of Felling taken in summer 2018 by Rossena Petcova and unique maps by poet and artist Steve Lancaster.
The book contains reminiscences by Felling folk plus guest appearances by Nick Heyward, David Almond, Tracey Thorn, Sir Kingsley Amis, The Reverend Richard Coles, Lady Elsie Robson, U.A. Fanthorpe, Gyles Brandreth and more.
***********************************************************
Elaine Cusack's The Princess of Felling is such a heartwarming and quirky, quick read of a book, about her childhood and adolescence and I was really looking forward to settling down with this one. Reader, I was not disappointed with this wonderful mix of recollections and poetry!
What did surprise me though was how nostalgic and personal this book would turn out to be. Although, I am a southern lass to the bone, Elaine and I are much the same age and her reminiscences really touched a chord with me.
Memories came flooding back that made me smile from ear to ear - of my visits to my own nana and granddad's council house; of wandering for miles with my childhood chums; of my dad being my ever faithful taxi driver; of listening to the same music (how "edgy" I felt listening to Everything But The Girl when I went off to Uni!), reading the same books, magazines and comics....Elaine, there are so many similarities - even down to the comments of my parents about my own musical idols!
The Princess of Felling is magical, touching, humorous, heartwarming and at times, sad. It's a tribute to everything that has made Elaine who she is (except perhaps the controlling boyfriend!), and it made me shed more than a few tears over my own late dear old parents too.
This is beautiful, honest stuff - it's almost like sitting down for a chat and cup of tea with Elaine herself. Magical!
The Princess of Felling can be bought in person from selected outlets including Hexham’s Cogito Books, Felling Volunteer Library, Newcastle Central Library, Happy Planet Studio and Gallery in Whitley Bay and online from Elaine’s publisher Limelight Classics HERE.
Find out more about Elaine’s writing and forthcoming gigs by visiting her blog HERE.
The Princess of Felling was published in April 2019 by Northumbrian publisher Limelight Classics. The book describes Elaine Cusack's childhood and adolescence growing up on Tyneside in the 1970s and 1980s.
It features a Foreword by TV, radio and book author Michael Chaplin, photographs of Felling taken in summer 2018 by Bulgarian photographer Rossena Petcova and unique maps inspired by my memories by poet and artist Steve Lancaster.
Also featured are appearances from David Almond, the Rev Richard Coles, Tracey Thorn, Sir Kingsley Amis, Bloodaxe Books, Nick Heyward and Gyles Brandreth.
The Princess of Felling resonates with readers of all ages in the North East and beyond. As actor and Felling lass Jill Halfpenny says in the book, “Reading Elaine’s stories and poetry takes me back to my childhood in Felling and all of the smells, sounds and tastes of that time. Her words allow me to remember things that I didn’t know I’d forgotten.”
The book has been promoted by differing events every month including a gig in a pie and mash shop in Tynemouth and a London book launch in a Bloomsbury pub.
The Princess has ruled Elaine's life since 2017 when her Mam died after living with dementia for almost four years. The 2,000 word essay she was working on morphed into a 22,000 word manuscript.
The Princess project includes a prequel, The Princess and the Goose plus a “mini musical” called The Princess and the Piano, which he has written with musician Mike Waller. The vibe is Gilbert and Sullivan meets Rogers and Hammerstein. They have performed it about five times this year and have recorded the songs, which will be released on digital platforms and possibly as a limited edition CD in the spring.
I felt much the same as you - the book really touched me. While, obviously, rooted in a particular place, Elaine has managed to capture something universal I think about growing up (at least, growing up in the 70s!)
ReplyDeleteI am really glad to hear that, David! It's lovely to hear that someone else from the same vintage found Elaine's words so moving. :-)
DeleteThanks so much for this fabulous blog tour support xx
ReplyDelete