“John Charlton's A Bad Guy gives me much of what I crave for in literature, that of a familiar community and recognizable characters facing the inner conflict of making the right choices.”
-Michael Hetherton, author of the acclaimed collection of short stories entitled Grasslands.
ABOUT THE BOOK
|
A Bad Guy
|
BOOKSTORE
A Bad Guy is available to order from most online retailers including...
|
Book Details:
126 pages Black & White 5.5 x 8.5 inches |
ISBNs:
Hardcover 978-1-5255-4856-7 Paperback 978-1-5255-4857-4 eBook 978-1-5255-4858-1 |
Categories:
|
Keywords:
Regina 70’s, Criminal Behaviour, Brawls, Family relationships, Manhood, Morality, Fatherhood |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Charlton and his wife Sharon enjoy retirement in their home town of Regina.
A Bad Guy is John’s first novel.
A Bad Guy is John’s first novel.
Behind A Bad Guy
I retired after 25 years working in communications for the Saskatchewan provincial government and then wrote a novel. Many people who work with words say they’d like to try their hand at fiction someday, I just happened to follow through.
Wrong side of the tracks stories are compelling and stories of parental cruelty are at the heart of many fairy tales. Those two literary themes are the basis of the fiction behind A Bad Guy. Regina, Saskatchewan is where I grew up and by choosing a setting and era close to my heart, I could lend this adventure a ring of truth.
The story begins with a Regina street fight witnessed by an insecure adolescent, which sparks admiration from him for the tough teenager renowned in their neighbourhood as “a bad guy.” A Bad Guy explores masculinity and morality and examines uneasy notions of good versus bad.
Reader reaction to A Bad Guy has been gratifying...
"The narration is an authentic Saskatchewan voice. You nailed it."
"It's a wonderful story."
"We thoroughly enjoyed your book."
"It was an easy read."
"Take a bow!"
"Such a great story of a guy who weaves in and out of someone's life."
"Loved it, loved the characters."
"The ending made me weep. Damn good."
Please see the contact option at the end of the website pages. I'd love to hear from you.
Wrong side of the tracks stories are compelling and stories of parental cruelty are at the heart of many fairy tales. Those two literary themes are the basis of the fiction behind A Bad Guy. Regina, Saskatchewan is where I grew up and by choosing a setting and era close to my heart, I could lend this adventure a ring of truth.
The story begins with a Regina street fight witnessed by an insecure adolescent, which sparks admiration from him for the tough teenager renowned in their neighbourhood as “a bad guy.” A Bad Guy explores masculinity and morality and examines uneasy notions of good versus bad.
Reader reaction to A Bad Guy has been gratifying...
"The narration is an authentic Saskatchewan voice. You nailed it."
"It's a wonderful story."
"We thoroughly enjoyed your book."
"It was an easy read."
"Take a bow!"
"Such a great story of a guy who weaves in and out of someone's life."
"Loved it, loved the characters."
"The ending made me weep. Damn good."
Please see the contact option at the end of the website pages. I'd love to hear from you.
The Settings
Actual locales like Albert School and Scott Collegiate worked their way into this book.
Image via hippostcard.com
On the outdoor skating rink at Dewdney Playground kids were convinced we were one step out of the NHL.
Regina’s Sportsmen’s Den bar was popular. The Paddock Lounge hosted some good bands.
Regina’s Sportsmen’s Den bar was popular. The Paddock Lounge hosted some good bands.
The story begins in the same week in 1972 as the Canada/Russia hockey series concluded and winds into the 21st century at the time Maclean’s Magazine published an article citing my old North Central Regina neighbourhood as the worst in Canada. Albert library and Scott Collegiate are now part of a new community centre called Mâmawêyatitân, a Cree word meaning “let’s all work together.” This represents hope. Monies earned from this book will be donated to assist that neighbourhood.
Calgary also had some settings included like Heritage Park and Foothills Stadium. I used to like driving the gentle twists and turns of Elbow Drive.
Someone said writing lets you taste your memories more than once. That seems about right.
Someone said writing lets you taste your memories more than once. That seems about right.
A Bad Guy: The Book Cover
|
The New Utopia Café was a popular hangout in the 1970s and 1980s. Owner, Roger Ing was one of a kind. He had wit and creativity. I'm sure he loved making art more than he liked cooking. His artistic experiments came to be known as Rogerism.
Roger's family graciously permitted Birds of a Feather, a drawing he gifted me, as the book cover. I hope this publication might play some small role in people once again discovering the joys in Roger's art. |
|
The author and the artist at a Rogerism art exhibition at Albert Library in the 1980s.
|
CONTACT
|
|
