First off, thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to have and read this copy of Mayflies.

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I think the overarching sense I get is wistfulness. Back to a time that never existed in my past.
I really got the sense that these characters were all very fleshed out even though we never got to actually fully experience that, I felt like every one of them had a story to be told.

I will say though that not understanding A LOT of the dialogue could sometimes be off putting, it does however, add to the feeling of camaraderie that these boys share into their adult years.

Overall, it sits somewhere between 3.5 to 4.5 stars for me, but I will settle with 3.5.
#Mayflies #Netgalley

I loved this book. I also don’t usually start reviews that way. Mayflies is the rare book that sucks you in almost at once and keeps you moving through it till you are sitting there stunned, looking at the endpaper. Author O’Hagan does some magical thing where he develops characters that feel both completely familiar and totally fresh. The story arced in a believable—but surprising—way and the book is dimpled with little Fabrege eggs of gorgeous writing. I plan to read this one again.

If we are lucky, I think each of us has a "Tully" in our life, someone who shines just a little brighter than everyone else. I loved the main character Tully and all the whip smart dialogue this group of friends had. Andrew O'Hagan is spot on with how people talk at that age and the first half of this book feels like the best weekend you ever had. The second half is beautifully written about the tough decisions and the loss that comes with ageing. This was my pick for June in our bookstore's newsletter.

I didn’t enjoy the first half of this book, possibly because the 80s music, drinking, and drug scene is so foreign and unappealing to me. But I’m glad I persisted. The second half made it definitely worth sticking with the book through the first half. The story of friendship and mortality was compelling and extremely moving.

Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan is a literary fiction novel in two parts.The first part is a coming-of-age story of a group of young Scottish men who head to Manchester for a punk rock concert. The prose and pacing moves with all the joy, exuberance, angst and passion of youth fueled by drugs and the love of the big city and the music. But there is also about the sense of endings - of the freedom of childhood, of friendships long established, and driven by the fear and hope for new beginnings. I read this first part without once stopping or coming up for air.

The second part starts thirty years ago. The friends have all moved on and, although some of them have maintained their relationships, their lives now revolve around things like careers and marriage. This part moves at a much slower but it is just as compelling pace. It is quieter, the prose much less frenetic, more mature, less punk more classical music, and much sadder. Just as Manchester is the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood, a trip first to Sicily followed by a trip to Switzerland connotes an end to their story but never the end of friendship. It is a story of loss but it never descends into manipulation and melodrama- it is, instead, a proud ending to a life, if too short, well lived. This part I read slower, stopping to absorb what I was reading,

Mayflies is a beautifully written story, at times almost lyrical, of a life lived to its fullest and, although I finished it a few days ago, it has taken me a while to try to express how I felt and I’m still not sure I can. This is the kind of book that I know I will read again and again, always wishing for more but knowing it’s enough, the kind of book that reminds me why I'm a reader.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

“Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.” Andrew O’Hagan’s newest book exemplifies this childhood ditty as nothing else can. A good group of six senior high school buddies go off to a music festival to celebrate the end of school indulging in one last raucous weekend together, knowing their lives are about to change as adulthood stares them in the face. Jump ahead thirty years. Jimmy, aka Noodles, receives a call from Tully, the popular leader of their boyhood group. Tully has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and asks Jimmy to help him navigate through his final days. The resulting story is poignant, haunting, disturbing and, incongruously filled with humor.

This dark novel is not my cup of tea, generally, but I appreciate the beautiful journey O’Hagan makes of a most difficult subject. Wonderfully written, with words perfectly chosen.

Mayflies offers a nostalgic look at friendship and the memories we hold onto well into adulthood.

Though I enjoyed the setting of the first half of the novel and felt the dynamic between friends was realistic, I ultimately found I didn't feel an emotional pull toward anyone--especially Tully. As the book centers around Tully specifically, this meant I didn't care much about the latter half of the novel and was mostly waiting for compelling character arcs that never came. It seemed that, apart from what little was offered in the first half of the book, I knew nothing about Tully and found myself waiting for the book to reach its conclusion.

Overall, I thought the prose was fun and the setting interesting. I just didn't care about the characters because they weren't fleshed out enough.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.
I found Mayflies to be a hard book to get into as the author laid the story lines down. This is a story about a friendship of a group of boys turned men as they navigate their lives as young men in the 1980s and then the adult world of 2017. Overall, it was a good read.

I received a free electronic ARC of this satirical novel from Netgalley, Andrew O'Hagan, and Penguin Random House Canada - McClelland & Stewart Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. If 1980s punk music and British football are your things this book is for you.

I had a rough time getting into the rhythm of this tale - mostly because my music from the 1980s was strictly hard rock, Southern rock, and blues, so the lists didn't resonate with me, and grown men's games involving balls of any sort don't appeal. But the sarcasm and smart-mouth retorts were right up my alley. The pace is fast, and the dialog is geared to the time. I had difficulty empathizing with the characters. They were all interesting and well defined, but for the most part, I did not find them sympathetic. This was, however, an excellent look into the angst and rebellion of young adults in that time period with Vietnam and the pressure of college and becoming a productive adult in our parent's world a constant reminder that time was short and our options not nearly as attractive as those same parents saw them. Growing up was hard. Some of us gave up and are still kids at heart...

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this fascinating and thoughtful story of male friendship, a theme not often explored in such depth and with such affection for "weirdos" who look out for each other, who respect and care for each other, and who become friends during a transitional time in their young adult lives (and in their sociopolitical context of Glasgow in the 1980s) and then again with a time of complex adult transitions and reminiscence. The book has two parts, the earlier part that describes the friend and lives of Tully and James as they explore music, university, and challenging experiences with fathers, socioeconomic issues, and simply the challenges of being young men growing into adult roles and the later part in which James and Tully reconnect, this time as Tully faces illness and end of life decisions.

The writing is raw, intense, and at times unsentimental (which could be misunderstood as emotionless but I think the point is to present true words and feelings and behaviors that reflect a troubled family background), which I think actually helps celebrate the nature of the friendship and their lives, especially given themes of problematic fathers and tense family relationships. And yet the book finds ways to celebrate the value of male friendship and the unique emotional contexts that surround these relationships. I appreciated the juxtaposition of their later lives after reading about their early adult ideals and hopes and plans... it can be hard to reconcile your adult self with your earlier self when looking at friendships that have ebbed and flowed, changed, or been interrupted, to have a friend return to see you as a different and changing version of yourself, married and facing complicated decisions; this book handles those complexities thoughtfully.

It’s 1986 and Tully and James are living in Scotland. In a small town and have begun a friendship over their love of music, movies and soon have a very strong bond.

They are young and ready for adventure. When they go to Manchester for a weekend, they vow to follow different paths. And they do. As thirty years go by James receives a call from Tully and must face a heartbreaking decision.

The book had me until Manchester. After that, it was too wordy, and I lost interest. This wasn’t for me but give it a try and maybe it’s good for you.

NetGalley/May 18, 2021, Penguin Random House Canada

A truly beautiful tale of male friendship. Mayflies is split between the 1980s and the modern day and follows the lives of Jimmy and Tully, best friends who share a love of music, film and top 3 lists.

O'Hagan captured the relationship dynamics perfectly and it was refreshing to read a coming of age story from the male perspective. I will be thinking about these characters for some time.

Thanks to the Publisher and Net Gallery for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting read. This was really two books in one. From the first half its 1986 and boys from not the best homes collude to wreak havoc on a punk rock music festival weekend. We get the back story on a number of characters who will make brief appearances in the second half of the book. This first half of the book seriously dragged for me. I've been to music festivals and remember getting drunk and rowdy but these guys took it to an extreme. I believe it was necessary to understand two characters, Jimmy, the narrator, and Tully, his best friend. This could have been reduced to a quarter of the pages utilised.

The second half of the book redeemed itself. I enjoyed reading about these two characters as adults more then as teenagers, just graduating high school. By 2017 Tully never really grew up, he got a job and a girlfriend but he remained self-centered without true caring for others. He clearly had a unique relationship with Jimmy, who became a writer. The relationship between the boys was more important to Tully than his girlfriend, who would be his wife for the duration of his illness.

Jimmy promised to assist Tully in his desire to skip the end of life stuff. The plan is to go to Switzerland for one last hurrah and take the dose that will put him out of his misery. Step one is to get married. Drinking and eating and doing all things that will bring on his end of life, Tully has one wish, to go out in style. Selfish? more than a bit.

He doesn't discuss his plans with his wife that he just married. Jimmy is still the ear for his confidences as they plan the final ending. These fellows wives are just background extras, the only females in the story with names, other than Jimmy's favorite teacher and Tully's mom. We aren't introduced to the wives until very late in the story and the teacher and mom are just old women, dying or having dementia. We do not get any kind of a well rounded character development from them.

The interesting part of the book for me was the struggle between these two men as they face death and dying, the choice to let medicine takes its course or put the old dog out of its misery. A very real debate that plays out in society today. I almost cried as Tully went into the final treatment to end his life, almost but not quite.

I only gave three stars because I had to get through half the book before getting to the meat of the story and the reduction of the women to background.

Thanks to the Publisher and Net Gallery for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story reminds me of American Graffiti - The first half of the book covers one magical weekend in 1985- a group of 18 year old lads from Glasgow Scotland goes on a quest to Manchester to see the best punk bands of all time. They recite the lines from every song, every movie, and are spectacularly bad at romance. They are smart, and stupid, and drunk, funny and serious. They know they are walking life’s tight rope- of either having an amazing life and becoming something great like main character James (aka Noodles) who is about to start University or possibly falling in to the same dead end life as their parents- ( aka Tully) mindless job or perpetually unemployed, addicted and depressed.
Ah the culture of the 80s: Doc martins, the Smiths, the clash, New Order, Grace Jones and the reminder of how Margaret Thatchers policies created mass unemployment and poverty throughout the UK.
The second half of the book takes place in 2017 when one of the characters gets a terminal diagnosis, and is faced with an unavoidable death. Best friends from childhood are the only ones who really know you. They gather around to reminisce and help him go out on his own terms. Their wives bring complications- they were never part of the old story, but refuse to be shut out now as they are very much a part of today.
Beautifully written, lyrical at times, and raw and completely true at others.
Highly Recommend.

I received this ARC with a promise to review. I loved this book! Mayflies begins in the ‘80’s with two young men living in Glasgow, Scotland. They went away on a weekend for a rock concert and hilarious and bittersweet events occur. We next see them as they grow and reach middle-age. With multiple references to younger days, they continue their journey with new and former friends. I totally recommend this story to anyone who has shared good and bad times with friends and understands the true meaning of lifelong relationships.

I read this within a day. I just couldn't put it down. If you are a person who enjoyed book suck as A Little Life and On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous, this is for you. Generally, contemporary fiction and naturalism are the things I love when it comes to literature. If I could describe this book in two words I would say that it is wholesome and soulful. It kinda warms your heart. It is character driven, but it also has a well thought-out plot. I would definitely recommend this beauty.
PS: The cover is so beautiful right? I am definitely getting a physical copy.

In the summer of 1986, a group of young men leave a small Scottish town to attend a punk rock festival in Manchester. James and Tully become fast friends and, over the years, take separate paths. James gets a phone call from Tully in 2017 that changes everything. I enjoyed the coming of age novel and was hooked at page 85. The story felt more like reading a memoir than fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I desperately wanted to like this book as it got such great reviews but I just didn’t enjoy it. The two main characters had such a unique friendship and life in the mid 80’s but the first part of the book just dragged for me and I couldn’t like the characters nor care about them.

The second half did redeem the book but the entire story didn’t blend together for me and left me feeling unattached to the book.

One recent Sunday morning, I opened up my e-mail to get a surprise message from NetGalley, a Web site where I get to select books for review. Usually, I will make requests to particular publishers for books I might be interested in (and it’s up to them to determine whether I’ll get an Advance Review Copy or galley or not via an e-mail notification), but this time the publisher had contacted me — with a free book. I had never heard of Andrew O’Hagan, even though three of his previous novels had been nominated for the Booker Prize for Fiction. However, the synopsis of his most recent novel, Mayflies — the one that the publisher was gifting me with — was intriguing. It’s a coming-of-age story set partially in the mid-‘80s in Britain during the reign of Margaret Thatcher. However, it’s also a disarming look back at indie rock of the period. It is additionally a novel about friendships, and how they live and thrive even in the face of adversity. I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, but in any case, I got a chance to read this short novel without having to put my name in for it, and for that I’m grateful. It’s always a good sign when the publishers start coming to you with gifts, and you don’t have to ask for a particular title.

Essentially, Mayflies is lobbed into two parts. The first half of the book is set in the year 1986. It follows the adventures of the novel’s protagonist, Jimmy (from whose point of view the novel is told), and his friends, including his best friend Tully. They live in a small Scottish town and seek escape from dreary day jobs as youngsters, as well as the responsibilities of growing older. That escape comes with the group of friends score tickets to a festival in Manchester, England, where acts such as New Order and the Smiths would be playing. This part of the novel recounts to trip to Manchester and all of the woolly escapades the group gets themselves into. The second half of the novel, though, is a bit dourer. Set in 2017 in the time following the Brexit vote, the story picks up with Tully discovering that he has developed a case of terminal stomach cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes, and the fall out of that discovery. He gets married, he goes on a trip to Italy, and he looks into assisted dying so that he can die with dignity before the pain advances.

Thus, Mayflies is really like two novels that have little to do with each other thrown into one. However, that doesn’t mean that it is a bad book — though I’m a little lukewarm on it. (Any novel that references not only the Marx Brothers but the American indie rock band Hüsker Dü — two of my most favourite things — can’t be that bad.) What the novel has in spades, particularly in its first half, is atmosphere. You truly get a sense of the Manchester music scene of the ’80s and the references to all sorts of obscure bands come flying fast and furiously — as do references to films, and both James and Tully are fanatics when it comes to the classics. Put it this way, if you know Orange Juice as only a beverage and not also as a British indie rock band of the ’80s, you’re going to have a hard time keeping up with what this novel is going on about.

The other striking thing about the book is that it lacks sentimentality, though you do come to feel sorrow over Tully’s plight. This is a novel about what it’s like to be young and free, and how the best friends in your life are usually the ones you make when you’re a child or a teenager. (Shades of Stand by Me there.) It’s also a volume about growing old with your friends and preparing to watch them die. In a way, Mayflies is an Irish wake of a book (never mind the Scottish characters) as it shows the dignity of raging against the dying of the light. It’s a peculiar book to be sure, and one that is meant to be savoured and thought over. It is a trip that will take you back to the good times in your youth, and get you thinking about your relationships with your friends.

However, there are faults with Mayflies. It’s a short book, so a lot of time is not spent on exposition. That means we’re introduced to characters who don’t show up frequently and could have been cut from the finished product as we don’t get a sense of what they’re like at all. Again, this is also a book that assumes you know a lot about pop culture, particularly British culture, of a certain time — so if you aren’t a child of the 1980s, this is not the novel for you. I also thought that the two halves of the book were sort of at odds with each other in tone — one half is what it means to live, while the other half is about what it means to die.

Still, Mayflies is a curious read. With a bit more editing and fine-tuning, it could have been a truly exceptional book, certainly worthy of the Booker Prize. There’s a kind of humor to the book that’s a bit on the dry side, and you’ll come to enjoy the comings and goings of the main characters. Mayflies might not be perfect, but it is undoubtedly worthy of a look if you’re curious. I’m glad that the publisher reached out to me with this one because one thing can be said about it: it is a gift of a story, one that will have you fondly recalling your youth (even if the political climate wasn’t the greatest at the time, as is the case here), and one that will leave you wanting to hold on to your friends closely. Mayflies is a thoughtful, sometimes challenging, and absorbing read — despite its liabilities — and I’m glad to have discovered it, all thanks to its Canadian publisher.

This book is written or should I say divided into two parts. The first part I found really interesting. The second half fell flat for me.