Books/Over The Hill Backwards
Over The Hill Backwards
- Contemporary
Fame is the worst drug of all. The comedown is even worse.
Sid Strange used to be somebody.
As the swaggering frontman of English new wave punk band Tactical Chunder, he had screaming fans, hit records, wild nights, and an ego large enough to require its own tour bus.
Unfortunately, that was twenty-five years ago.
Now Sid is fifty, rich, bored, contractless, and clinging to celebrity through a reality TV show so awful it makes other reality TV look like high art.
Then an old enemy comes crawling out of the past, determined to destroy what is left of Sid’s career, reputation, and carefully maintained delusions.
Sid needs leverage.
A lost film could give him exactly that: the kind of incriminating footage that might save his skin, ruin his enemies, and put him back in control.
There is just one problem.
To get it, Sid must reunite Tactical Chunder — the band he abandoned when he went solo.
And they hate him.
Old grudges, bruised egos, bad decisions, worse behaviour, unfinished business, and one spectacularly dysfunctional comeback attempt collide in a story of fame, revenge, friendship, and the terrifying possibility that even an ageing punk disaster might still have a heart.
Fast, filthy, funny, and surprisingly touching, Over The Hill Backwards is a darkly comic rock-and-roll redemption story for anyone who loves washed-up celebrities, bad behaviour, second chances, and British humour with teeth.
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Reader reviews
Funny and irreverent
TM1221
This could have been a movie -- it SHOULD be a movie! This book is funny, irreverent and has a lot of heart. The characters could have been very flat and boring, but all of them are pretty "real", which makes the story work. There are some very touching moments in the book, and let's not forget the laugh-out-loud parts too. It's well worth reading . . .
Fantastic
Amazon customer
Loved this book it has a fast pace and fabulously written characters. I think it was originally a screenplay and I would definitely pay to see that ending with its twists and turns on screen. Could be a book club favourite I just wanted to talk about it to anyone who would listen!
Thoroughly enjoyable romp
P Catling
Having read all of Damian Vargas' previous novels, I was looking forward to his latest offering. This one is a bit of a departure from his previous style, but the author has switched genres seamlessly - Over The Hill is a thoroughly entertaining, irreverent, light hearted, fast paced and earthy tale of underhand showbiz dealings and personal redemption. Have a read, you won't be disappointed.
Made me laugh from start to finish
Amazon customer
This is the funniest book I've read in ages! I guess it's probably targeted more towards "the lads", but can easily be enjoyed by us girls too - as long as you're open minded and don't mind strong language, and sex/drink/drugs references! The writing style reminds me of Rob Radcliffe's lad lit books, so if you are a fan of those you'll definitely love this book. Well done Damian Vargas, you had me literally in tears of laughter!
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