Juno and Juliet

Description

A perfect slice of page-turning, intelligent escapism - a romantic comedy with a positively Shakespearean comic ending. 'Juno & Juliet' has twin blonde sisters, eighteen, arriving at university in Galway from their Tipperary home (and going back home for a classic drunken Christmas holiday reunion with their schoolmates), and sets each off on a romantic odyssey... 'Juno & Juliet' is a lovely, cheering entertainment, drenched in goodwill and romance. It has star-cross'd lovers, dire student drama, bad acid trips, amusing musings on the New Ireland, excruciating family dinners, a stalker, poison-pen letters; all sorts. Above all, it's a happy book, with an unashamedly happy ending.

Julian Gough was born in London in 1966. His family returned to Ireland when he was seven. He was educated by the Christian Brothers in Tipperary back in the days when they were still allowed to throw you across the room. He has a degree in Philosophy and English. Two days spent converting chickens into chicken nuggets in a fast-food joint made him a conscientious objector to paid employment. He therefore spent his twenties in a band, Toasted Heretic, and played London, Paris and New York while producing 4 cult LPs and an Irish Top Ten single. Gough went on to co-write the successful stage-play Peig: the Musical! He lives in Galway. Juno & Juliet is his first book.

'Utterly charming and hilarious' Sunday Independent 'A love story that is funny and down to earth, full of optimism and life' Eithne Farry, Irish Post 'Achieves that all too rare synthesis of piercing observation and the feelgood factor A modern, at times brilliant reworking of the classical fairy tale, with nods to Shakespeare, Austen and Beckett, Gough's novel is an intelligent look at the magical banality of student life.' Literary Review 'Julian Gough has an outstanding talent for comic scenes and for an evocation of balmy good nature.' Observer 'This funny first novel captures that sense of freedom that the first move away from the family home brings with it. "I was in love with our view of Galway from our flat, I was in love with buying Brillo pads," Juliet enthuses Unashamedly happy.' The Times 'Guaranteed to make both literary luvvies and light readers melt intelligent and deliciously dry, Gough's sparkling words can't fail to make you sit up, listen and laugh.' Glamour