Looks and Smiles

First US publication of this unsentimental, sympathetic novel of theunemployed young in Thatcher's Britain. From Barry Hines, writer of A Kestrel for a Knave and The Gamekeeper1980, a city on its knees afterdecades of steel industry decline and facing the brutal economic policies ofThatcher. Mick wants to learn how to be a motorcycle mechanic, but bad luck,inexperience, and tough times make it hard to find a job. At a disco oneevening, he meets Karen, who works in a shoe shop, and the pair hang out withMick's buddy, Alan. Mick and Alan's efforts to find jobs are in vain and theyface a remain jobless or join the army, which is recruiting to policethe North of Ireland.The author's unerring eye for detail and earfor dialogue are utterly engaging and evocative. Looks and Smiles is a gritty and poignant bulletin from a forgottenperiod of British history. A Barry Hines classic.