How far would you go for love? Winner of the Spotlight First Novel prize, Philip Bowne's debut novel is an explosive coming-of-age odyssey. 18-year-old Billy is desperate to leave home. He's working the ultimate dead-end job as a grave-digger. His Grandad's engaged to a woman half his age, his Dad's become obsessed with boxing, and his Mum's certainly having an affair. Everything is changing, and Billy hates it. Meeting the older, mysterious Eva, though, changes everything. She's passionate about Russian literature, Gary Numan, windfarms and chai tea, and Billy gambles everything for a chance to be with her. His scramble across Europe involves hitch-hiking with truckers, walking with refugees, and an encounter with suicidal cows. But the further he goes, the harder it is to be sure what he's chasing - and what he's running from. For everyone who wants to break out and follow their dreams.
Phil lives in London and works as a writer for The Wombles, a forthcoming children's TV show and book series. His novel, Cows Can't Jump, was recently awarded the Spotlight First Novel Prize. Last year, the text was selected to be read at literary event Novel London. His short fiction has been published in the UK, US and Canada. He's worked as a travel writer for Lonely Planet and The Guardian, and in 2016 he worked as a volunteer in the Calais 'jungle' refugee camp, which inspired the section in the novel where Billy walks north with a group of refugees.
Title: Cows Can't Jump
Author: Bowne, Phil
ISBN: 9781911107354
Binding:
Publisher: Neem Tree Press Limited
Publication Date: 2020-09-24
Number of Pages: 276
Weight: 0.2901 kg
Fans of Kerouac's On the Road will find that Cows Can't Jump adopts a similar blend of angst, growth, and social observation -- but in a European setting. This lively story that will appeal to fans of travelogues and adventure as well as personal growth fiction, bringing the world and its meaning to life through Billy's astute observations. Cows Can't Jump combines a coming-of-age story with a road trip adventure. * MidWest Review of Books 20/07/2021 *
If you are looking for a book to devour and escape yourself in, set in a year we thought was dreadful at the time but looking back wasn't so bad, then look no further than Cows Can't Jump. It will make you laugh, it will tug on your heartstrings, but most importantly it will remind you that family is all we have during trying times and it's best to stick close to them. * Hub Magazine *
Cows Can't Jump leapt out for its boldness, confidence and humour. Philip is a gifted and perceptive writer with a fine eye for detail, dialogue and characterisation...a fresh take on the classic rite-of-passage. * Spotlight First Novel Prize *
Innovative, punchy and tender... maintains a balance of tone, a trueness of voice, laugh-out-loud humour and stiletto-sharp wit. Bowne's debut is a performance of real originality and extraordinary promise. I can't wait to see what he does next. * Author of Electricity *
A fabulous debut steeped in the wit and prose of a bullish veteran...impossible to put down. * The Express UK *
Part coming-of-age story, part European travel adventure, Phil Bowne's debut novel deftly mixes laugh-out-loud hijinx with moments of true poignancy, and is filled with memorable scenes and a caste of eclectic, authentic characters. Billy is a brilliant narrator-pilgrim for the next generation. * Author of No Good Brother *
Cows Can't Jump announces a major talent. Bowne's touch is light, but his themes resonate: faith, family, race, and (whisper it) Brexit. The prose sparkles like sunshine hitting the English Channel. Philip Bowne is going to be a superstar. * Author of Peace, Love & Petrol Bombs *
