Ivon

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 01 Nov 2018 | Archive Date 05 Dec 2018

Talking about this book? Use #Ivon #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

The year is 2144, and the world is powered by sport - politically and practically. Each community owes its prosperity or otherwise to the success of its teams and athletes. A person's class is determined by their aptitude for sport. Once their useful life as an athlete has expired, they are placed in stasis at an age predetermined by that class. But not in Wales. Separated from the rest of the world by a huge wall, the Welsh still play games for joy. They play, they carouse, they love, they die. They have fun. Of all the Welsh, the greatest sportsman is an unreconstructed genius called Ivon. When the chance arises to become the first Welshman to cross the great divide into England, he cannot resist. His parents, who were exiled from England before he was born, know what London will do to him. They are desperate to have him back. But London will not give up an asset like Ivon so easily. Ivon is a celebration of where sport has come from and a satire on where it is going.

The year is 2144, and the world is powered by sport - politically and practically. Each community owes its prosperity or otherwise to the success of its teams and athletes. A person's class is...


Advance Praise

‘Wonderfully dark satire about the future of sport. You think sport’s changed? Wait till you see where we’re headed…’

– Will Greenwood


‘Crackling with energy and ideas, this novel presents a fresh and thought-provoking take on sport, today and in the future.”

– Hugh Godwin, Independent 


‘Be afraid, be very afraid. You think sport is bonkers now… this could be the future. Great read.’

– Adam Hathaway, Sunday Mirror


‘Stadium generators, coitus terminals, the Institutes of Improvement and Correction, athletes controlled by computer and a wall between England and Wales. This is what happens when sport takes over. Wicked satire.’

– Stephen Jones, Sunday Times


‘Brilliantly original concept. Never read a book like it.’

– Kevin Mitchell, Guardian


‘Wonderfully dark satire about the future of sport. You think sport’s changed? Wait till you see where we’re headed…’

– Will Greenwood


‘Crackling with energy and ideas, this novel presents a fresh and...


Marketing Plan

Blog tour running from 2 - 14th February 2018

PR Campaign

High profile London launch


Blog tour running from 2 - 14th February 2018

PR Campaign

High profile London launch



Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781910453469
PRICE $14.95 (USD)

Average rating from 16 members


Featured Reviews

Set in England, IVON by Michael Aylwin introduces the reader to a future world, called the Perpetual Era, where everything revolves around generating energy, with sports generating the most energy and therefore the entire society revolves around sports. People are either groomed to play sports, coach sports, or otherwise support the sports and the athletes. When a Lapsed Era (in Wales, where people who refuse the Perpetual Era ideals live) an athlete is introduced to London's rugby team and more importantly to this highly organized and pre-planned society, he inspires change that is a blessing to some and blemish on London to others.
Aylwin's book is a dark, satirical look at where our society could end up, where individuality is minimized and everyone's purpose is preordained. By introducing a Perpetual Era man, Dusty Noble, to the Lapsed Era people and vice versa with Ivon, who ends up playing on London's rugby team, their are some humorous and frank realizations each person has about the other's society (alcohol, sex, and interpersonal relationships amongst others). Aylwin uses those awakenings to consider which way is better or worse. The plot is engaging, with Alywin describing in detail several rugby matches and as things start to unravel, the he builds the suspense to a unfortunate but inevitable conclusion.
Fascinating in it's commentary as well as it's story, IVON had me thinking and re-analyzing parts of the book even after I finished reading it.

Was this review helpful?

Clever, original and thought provoking. Ivon is a skilled and exciting Welsh sportsman, playing for the fun of the game. Dusty Noble is a veteran cricketer from London, an inhabitant of the Perpetual Era, where all of life revolves around power generation and efficiency - no 'playing', no unnecessary social interaction. The two meet and never again will either see the world in the same way. An intriguing and excellent debut novel from Michael Aylwin.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: