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A review by stitchsaddiction
It Was a Riot by Daniel Hall
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There are both not enough words, and too many to describe the debut novel by Daniel Hall; It Was a Riot.
I wrote my review several days after reading this emotional tale of Edward 'Eddy' Taylor whose adult life unfolds during some of the most tumultuous two decades, the eighties and nineties for a gay man living in the UK. With the backdrop of the miners' strike, Section 28 and the horrific crisis that was the spread of HIV and AIDs, we see Eddy desperately attempting to find and be his true self. From being a quiet child living in the shadow of a larger-than-life hooligan of a father shapes, to him wishing to achieve more in his youth as a Doctor? You as the reader walk alongside this gentle man who struggles with his identity in an era where being gay may not be illegal but the hatred from many was still entrenched in memory.
After all, it had only stopped being illegal in '67.
I cried several times during this book, as Hall's writing will pull you into this gritty time in British history, but there are also moments of levity, joy and true love for Eddy that cannot help but make you smile.
This story follows Eddy's life from childhood into being an adult, and is one that as I say? Draws on real moments in recent history. I was especially moved by the way Hall's writing of young men whose lives were cut short by AIDs. Each one comes to life from the page, and my heart breaks for each, and every one of them as if they were real.
Eddy gives his all for his loved ones, for right and wrong and at each page turn, I hoped to see him find happiness. To get the joy and contentment all deserve but this is a book that tells the truth of being a gay man during this time, and Eddy’s tale is a tragic one. I don't often spoil stories, however, I feel this is needed in this case. I think I cried for an hour afterwards, I wanted to pull each and every one of them from the page to the here and now, where there is medication for those suffering from HIV.
It Was a Riot is a must-read, a tragedy and an insight into a dark time in the UK. Eddy Turner deserved happiness, as did many and this book honours each and every AIDs victim who died too soon.
I wrote my review several days after reading this emotional tale of Edward 'Eddy' Taylor whose adult life unfolds during some of the most tumultuous two decades, the eighties and nineties for a gay man living in the UK. With the backdrop of the miners' strike, Section 28 and the horrific crisis that was the spread of HIV and AIDs, we see Eddy desperately attempting to find and be his true self. From being a quiet child living in the shadow of a larger-than-life hooligan of a father shapes, to him wishing to achieve more in his youth as a Doctor? You as the reader walk alongside this gentle man who struggles with his identity in an era where being gay may not be illegal but the hatred from many was still entrenched in memory.
After all, it had only stopped being illegal in '67.
I cried several times during this book, as Hall's writing will pull you into this gritty time in British history, but there are also moments of levity, joy and true love for Eddy that cannot help but make you smile.
This story follows Eddy's life from childhood into being an adult, and is one that as I say? Draws on real moments in recent history. I was especially moved by the way Hall's writing of young men whose lives were cut short by AIDs. Each one comes to life from the page, and my heart breaks for each, and every one of them as if they were real.
Eddy gives his all for his loved ones, for right and wrong and at each page turn, I hoped to see him find happiness. To get the joy and contentment all deserve but this is a book that tells the truth of being a gay man during this time, and Eddy’s tale is a tragic one. I don't often spoil stories, however, I feel this is needed in this case. I think I cried for an hour afterwards, I wanted to pull each and every one of them from the page to the here and now, where there is medication for those suffering from HIV.
It Was a Riot is a must-read, a tragedy and an insight into a dark time in the UK. Eddy Turner deserved happiness, as did many and this book honours each and every AIDs victim who died too soon.