The Taming

249 pages. Hamish Harrison lives with his mum, Sylvie, a menagerie of animals, ever-pres ent money worries and the social problems of a boy more inclined to music than s port. On the brink of his teenage years, the trials of family life and fitting i n at school seem less important when the concert pianist next door offers to tea ch him to play. But growing up is never easy, and Hamish must learn to meet the world face-to-face as well as in his imagination. this warm, gentle and heartfel t coming-of-age story is the first novel by one of our brightest new writers. th e narrator, Hamish Harrison, is an irresistible character - smart, funny and tee tering on the edge of innocence, about to tumble into the adult world of experie nce. His adventures with his pets, his mum?boyfriends and his next-door neighbou rs will leave readers touched, tickled and most of all, smiling.