Stonekicker - Paperback

by Mark Romanow (Author)

Stonekicker definition: A friendless child often seen in the playground, hands in pockets, kicking stones. In a 1980s boarding school for undesirables, the boys' nicknames defined them. Duped into believing that boarding school was a posh holiday camp where you come home at weekends and enjoy midnight feasts, the titular Stonekicker has a huge shock when he discovers it's anything but. He finds himself surrounded by sadistic teachers and even worse pupils with only one morally ambiguous teacher to turn to. Unable to return home, he soon realises that to survive amongst the monsters he may have to become one. It's just as well he's indestructible and descended from Genghis Khan (according to his mum). Those warrior skills just might come in handy. Disturbing and scary, but above all funny and uplifting, Stonekicker makes us see that just getting through childhood is one of the toughest battles we are ever going to face.

Author Biography

Mark Romanow is in his forties and is married with two daughters. He attended a school very similar to the one described in the book and his past jobs include cardboard box maker, barman, steelcutter, hospital porter, bookshop manager, massage therapist, Royal Air Force Personell Administrator and civil servant to name but a few. He has written numerous poems and short stories with Stonekicker being his first novel.