Five Guys Named Zaika (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781914195211)

It is Christmas Eve 1997, and a group of friends are sat in a takeaway in the small Lancashire town of Blackburn contemplating what to do with their lives. A month later they had published the first edition of their own newspaper against a backdrop of prejudice, misunderstandings, arguments and religious strife.

Set primarily within a dilapidated office inside a toilet roll factory this true story explores the uninhibited and comedic tale of how several twenty-somethings set about challenging perceptions of themselves and their own community.

From censoring the word 'sex' to challenging religious traditions we follow the group on their journey during those turbulent first few weeks when they are expected to conform to norms but have no real idea what those norms should be. Along the way they meet some of the town's most outspoken residents who have their own ideas about what would make a good story.

They soon find themselves being confronted by past failures, an uncertain present and a depressing future. With the dreaded deadline fast approaching what seemed like a good idea is quickly turning into their own little publishing nightmare.

This brutally honest, funny and fascinating story retells the publishing of the first edition of the Asian Image.

Zaika = Female South Asian name