Journeys and Jigsaws
Prior’s Hill in the early 1980’s seems like a tranquil rural idyll, with its picture postcard cottages, small village school and church. James Young, the new head teacher of the village primary school, soon discovers that beneath the surface there are some difficult challenges to overcome. He must contend with demanding parents and local politics, as well as the steep learning curve that comes with his new position. While struggling to hold together his team of teachers and deal with various tasks that aren’t in his official job description, James must also find the time and energy to maintain his relationship with his beloved partner. Ultimately he is faced with the most difficult questions: Can he live up to everything the school and community expect of him? Can he deal with the tragedy that is thrown at him just when everything seems to be working so well? What steps will he take to resolve all these challenges?
Journeys & Jigsaws
Book 1: From Teacher to Drag Queen
ISBN:9781843865384
Book 1: From Teacher to Drag Queen
ISBN:9781843865384
In an original and thought-provoking novel, Barrie Mahoney paints a vivid picture of the complexities of life in a small English village, as well as providing an insight into the challenges faced by gay, professional men at a time when prejudice and the threat of AIDS loomed large.
A note from Barrie about ‘From Teacher to Drag Queen’
I am often asked why I chose the title of 'From Teacher to Drag Queen' as the overarching title for this trilogy. My first novel, 'Journeys and Jigsaws' has had rather a long gestation period. It is about four years ago that I first put pen to paper, or rather first hit the keys of my laptop in a hotel room in Fuerteventura. Pressure of work from the newspaper that I was editing at the time prevented me from writing much more for nearly two years. The novel was about many issues that had troubled me, and people like me, greatly during those often dark, sinister days of Thatcher's 1980’s.
Now it is finished, as is the sequel 'Threads and Threats', and like all authors I await the response from readers with some trepidation. One of the main questions that I have been asked by folk from the media or friends that I have not seen for some time, after the initial pleasantries, is “Barrie, are you a drag queen?” Let me try and answer this first question!
I am often asked why I chose the title of 'From Teacher to Drag Queen' as the overarching title for this trilogy. My first novel, 'Journeys and Jigsaws' has had rather a long gestation period. It is about four years ago that I first put pen to paper, or rather first hit the keys of my laptop in a hotel room in Fuerteventura. Pressure of work from the newspaper that I was editing at the time prevented me from writing much more for nearly two years. The novel was about many issues that had troubled me, and people like me, greatly during those often dark, sinister days of Thatcher's 1980’s.
Now it is finished, as is the sequel 'Threads and Threats', and like all authors I await the response from readers with some trepidation. One of the main questions that I have been asked by folk from the media or friends that I have not seen for some time, after the initial pleasantries, is “Barrie, are you a drag queen?” Let me try and answer this first question!
A drag queen is a unique performer and story teller. Someone who can capture an audience and make them laugh and maybe even cause them to be frightened or worried. A drag queen is someone who wears a very visible mask. Everyone knows there is a mask, yet everyone accepts that this is normal for the performance. Let me explain further, if you ever visit Las Palmas in Gran Canaria during Carnival you will find very few men, actually dressed as men - because most of the men are dressed as women! Everyone wears a costume and a mask and it just seems almost normal during that festival period. Indeed, you are very much out of place if you don’t join in!
So as a writer, I hope that readers will be entertained. Many will laugh, be sad, frightened or may be worried when they read ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’, and certainly I hope that I will have challenged readers preconceptions and views. So, if I have captured my audience in this way, perhaps I am a little like a drag queen! Maybe the short answer to this question is, no I am not a drag queen, but I am a great believer in career changes!
Barrie Mahoney, 2010
So as a writer, I hope that readers will be entertained. Many will laugh, be sad, frightened or may be worried when they read ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’, and certainly I hope that I will have challenged readers preconceptions and views. So, if I have captured my audience in this way, perhaps I am a little like a drag queen! Maybe the short answer to this question is, no I am not a drag queen, but I am a great believer in career changes!
Barrie Mahoney, 2010
Journeys & Jigsaws Podcast
You can hear Barrie reading a short extract from the novel, ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’ by clicking on the links below. There is also a BBC radio interview with Barrie who is talking about his new book.
You can hear Barrie reading a short extract from the novel, ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’ by clicking on the links below. There is also a BBC radio interview with Barrie who is talking about his new book.
Barrie Mahoney AudioBoo
Click the AudioBoo Podcast link to hear Barrie’s weekly ‘Twitter from the Atlantic’ , which is also available as a free download on iTunes.
Click the AudioBoo Podcast link to hear Barrie’s weekly ‘Twitter from the Atlantic’ , which is also available as a free download on iTunes.
