It tries too hard to incorporate varied social commentary in the narrative, with topics ranging from Afro hair to climate change. And I wanted to make sure stories like these weren’t lost – and reached as large an audience as possible.

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain | Waterstones

How much further do you think we have to go, and what are some small everyday things that we can all do to help get us there? At the end there are accounts from men of a similar age to Albert who open up and tell their stories of growing up and its just heartbreaking what they endured. What we see all through history is that people are denied their past as part of a way to control them," says Hornby. When it comes to written – rather than verbal – evidence of working-class queer lives, this is often ambiguous.I was able to care for Albert and I was sad about how alone he was and how his life was so full of fear. After their deaths, if families found letters, diaries or photos, they usually destroyed them (which explains why those photos featured in the picture book Loving come with no caption or explanation). Albert finds unlikely allies, new friends, and proves it’s never too late to live, to hope, and to love. He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the national newspapers, and is a regular presenter on Virgin Radio Pride. I do feel that Albert's transformation and increased confidence was rather too fast and smooth, but not enough to detract from the overall joy of the book.

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle - Matt Cain - Google Books

There are strong themes of family and friendships, tolerance and ignorance, At the start of the book I felt like the point was being laboured about Albert wanting go and hide away from other people. The book incorporates several factual elements of the discrimination faced by gay boys during the 60s and 70s in the UK. But if you’re going to ask me hard and fast my best book of all time, I would say the Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Yes, the plot was predictable but it is a heartwarming read with an interesting cast of characters that keeps you engaged till the very end. As a 19-year-old Black single mother, she and Albert make the most unlikely and yet most heartwarming pair I have ever come across in a book.Albert's coming out is a wonderfully warm story that had me with earplugs in, listening at every opportunity.

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle Quotes - Goodreads The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle Quotes - Goodreads

I understand the need for topics but the core issue here was huge enough without treating the book as a chance to broadcast more meaningful messages for societal betterment. He is currently a presenter for Virgin Radio Pride UK, was Channel 4's first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, and has judged the Costa Prize, the Polari Prize and the South Bank Sky Arts Awards. First off, a big thank you to Matt and Headline Review for sending me a free copy of this book (and then signing it for me) it was a pleasure to read and it was fantastic to get to meet and chat to you! As he's aged, Albert has morphed into someone who craves routine and privacy, preferring to live a quiet solitary life.Edith, elderly and alone, who used to be a great beauty with many suitors, but is now desperate for company. Some other small things I really loved about the book are the use of bluebells to signify a flashback (the reason becomes apparent a bit way through the story, I obviously won’t spoil it for you, but it is super cute), the occasions where Nicole’s character is able to address the microagressions that exist in her community, and all the different characters that work with Albert at Royal Mail because even though they play relatively small roles in the book, they still feel incredibly well thought out. For this book, I practiced immersion reading (listening to the audiobook as well as following along in the text). Albert has a sweet, introverted personality and comes across as a man who has been closeted all his life, and not just about his sexuality.

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle (Audio Download): Matt The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle (Audio Download): Matt

And it’s difficult to say whether we’re similar because so much of his natural spirit and sparkle has been supressed over the years, he’s reigned himself in so that people wouldn’t tell he’s gay and to, kind of, try and conform to society’s expectations. When I first started listening I wasn't too sure how much I would like it, but as it progressed I really got into it. And, when you consider the impact that the challenges they faced must have had on their emotions and relationships, you have the ingredients for gripping, moving, rousing drama – and characters that modern-day audiences are now ready to root for. Albert sets off with the hope of finding George but Albert found himself in a world where he was led to believe he was a dirty secret. It seems to be an accurate rendition of the emotional upheavals these boys must have undergone just because they were gay.But it’s not the first time that Albert has received a letter that will change his life and this time around he knows what he has to do. Meanwhile, on Netflix, 2020 documentary A Secret Love tells the story of a US lesbian couple who kept their relationship secret from their families for nearly seven decades.