Thamesmead '74: Teenagers navigating life, love and criminality in 1970's London (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798264145223)

Teenage friends navigate life, love and criminality in 70's London. Thamemead '74 is an edgy coming-of-age story set in the suburbs of South London during a period of political, social, and economic upheaval. McDonald's opens its first UK restaurant, the IRA are bombing London, and families are being relocated from run-down, inner-city tenements to a sprawling, brutalist new council estate built on the marshy, outer fringes of the city.

Matt lives on Thamemead. He is bright, hardworking, and ambitious, with a family life dominated by a perennial lack of money - he's also a reluctant virgin. Paul is volatile, lonely and heir apparent of a criminal dynasty - he's also pretty sure that he's gay. They clash violently one day after school, but following an explosive classroom incident, their paths begin to converge.

Adventures and vividly drawn characters begin to shape young lives - from The Faces 1974 Lewisham Odeon concert, to the sordid, underbelly of South London criminality; from little scams and estate milk round jobs to work in sparkling new American restaurants; from vivacious, life-changing young barmaids to down-at-heel young, single mums relying on benefits and 'the game'.

Will Matt find his way out of his family's ever-loving poverty? Will Paul resist his Dad's demand to get involved in his family's criminal activities early? Will they both find love?

Author: Mj Simpson
ISBN-13: 9798264145223
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 11/27/2025
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.65d