Childhood, and specifically adolescence, is a period of life that can be pretty tough and at times traumatic. It’s very fertile ground for literature but it’s not easy to get right. 

In this episode, I'm joined by Michael Amherst, the author of the upcoming novel The Boyhood of Cain which deals with the period of adolescence, and themes of moral & sexual turmoil. The book feels timeless, with an eeriness that mirrors the protagonist’s growing confusion about himself and the world around him. 

Michael and I sat down for our chat in-person today, in a recording studio in West London. It was a pleasure to speak with him, and The Boyhood of Cain is a great read, which I can’t recommend strongly enough. It's not out yet, but it’s slated to hit the shelves on February 13th. So, keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming release or pre-order it through any self-respecting bookstore.

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Michael Amherst’s four books were:

Peter Shaffer, Equus (1973)

John Steinbeck, East of Eden (1952)

Damon Galgut, In a Strange Room (2010)

John Cheever, Collected Stories (but particularly ‘Goodbye, My Brother’) (1978)