Audiobook available Now!
Narrated by Josh Shirt
Music by Rhys Morris
TO SCOTT, PAUL AND MARK, HORROR FILMS ARE EVERYTHING.
The year is 1983, the boom of the video age, and Scott Bradley is seventeen, unemployed and on the dole. Drifting through life, he and his friends love nothing more than to sit around drinking, talking about girls, and watching horror movies.
But things are about to change.
As the ‘video nasty’ media storm descends, their desire to find a copy of the ultimate horror film – The Evil Dead – is going to lead them to the most significant days of their young lives. As the law tightens and their way of life comes under threat from all quarters, they come to learn what truly matters to them.
A heartfelt story of friendship, loyalty and youthful rebellion, Dead Leaves is a darkly funny and brutally honest depiction of aimless life in a Midland town, and perfectly captures the impact those first few years of video had on a generation.
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Reviews of “Dead Leaves”
“A Fahrenheit 451 of the video era. Whilst Thatcher colluded with the tabloids to distract the public… an urban quest for the ultimate video nasty was unfolding, before the forces of media madness and power drunk politicians destroyed the Holy Grail of gore!” – Graham Humphreys, legendary painter of The Evil Dead poster.
“As well as being a very fine evocation of 1980s teenagerhood, Dead Leaves is also a powerful and passionate defence of free artistic expression.” – Simon Bestwick
“Barker does what all the great authors do – he creates a world so real, not only can you reach out and touch it, you can step inside and live there.” – Joseph D’Lacey, author of Meat and Black Feathers
“A love letter to horror films, and a moving and authentic story of a teenager discovering who he is and what he wants to do with his life. Purely wonderful” – Simon Clark, author of Blood Crazy and Vampyrrhic
“A work of genuine warmth, wit and passion, a unique and vivid coming-of-age tale that should be ranked amongst the best.” – Starburst Magazine
“Barker proves two things with this new novel – (1) The Electric was not a fluke (2) He really knows his characters inside and out.” – The Eloquent Page
“Dead Leaves is no way a horror story, but it’s one that will speak to the hearts of horror fans everywhere. Recommended.” – Brutal As Hell
“A fast pasted, nostalgic look at the period where video nasties were all the British media could talk about.” – Sanitarium Magazine
“Dead Leaves is a bittersweet coming of age story, full of emotionally charged writing that manages to present a sentimental look at a bygone age without ever becoming schmaltzy. Deeply moving and perfectly realized it cements Andrew David Barker’s reputation as a top flight writer.” – The Ginger Nuts of Horror
“This Is England for the Fango crowd. Very highly recommended.” – Mark West, author of Drive and Conjure
“A well-drawn portrait of growing up different and a grimy, blood-soaked love letter to the cathartic, transformative qualities of the horror film.” – Dirge Magazine
“Kes for the video generation” – Paul Melhuish, author of Fearworld and Necroforms
“Dead Leaves is another triumph for Barker.” – James Everington, author of The Shelter and Falling Over
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