A powerful novel of friendship, rebellion and betrayal

THE SUMMER OF BROKEN STORIES
by James Wilson
Alma Books, April 2015

Wilson has a gifted, original voice. – The Daily Telegraph

England, 1950s. While out playing in the woods, ten-year-old Mark meets a man living in an old railway carriage. Despite his wild appearance, the stranger, who introduces himself as Aubrey Hillyard, is captivating – an irreverent outsider who is shunned by Mark’s fellow villagers, and a writer to boot. Aubrey encourages Mark to tell stories about his own make-believe world, and in return he informs the boy about a novel he is writing – a work of ominous science fiction.

As the meddling villagers plot to drive Aubrey out, Mark finds himself caught between two worlds – yet convinced that he must help Aubrey prevail at any cost. Dealing with powerful themes of friendship, rebellion and betrayal, The Summer of Broken Stories is James Wilson’s long-awaited new novel.

Born in Cambridge and educated at Oxford, James Wilson now lives in London and Normandy. He is the author of four acclaimed novels – “The Dark Clue”, “The Bastard Boy”, “The Woman in the Picture” and “Consolation” – as well as a work of narrative non-fiction, “The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America”.