Alderley Edge based author Malcolm McClean launched his new novel The Art of Being One along with eighty invited guests at The Yard on May 12th.
He was joined by two old friends. Poet, philosopher and son of a witch (no that's not a typo) Tom Calderbank was the mercurial MC, whilst cartoonist Tony Husband provided some hilarious moments as he illustrated the question and answer session. Tony created cartoons for Private Eye for over twenty years as well as The Times; Punch; Playboy; The Sunday Express and The Sun.
Malcolm talked about the inspiration for the book. He said "As ghostwriter to goalkeeper Brad Friedel I realised what a lonely life it can be, even if you are rich and famous. That sowed the seed for a story of a goalkeeper who has a mental meltdown and walks off the pitch into a world where normal people do normal things. A world he knows precious little about". He added "It's not a book about football. It asks the question 'What is happiness?' and looks at what can happen when we tread that fine line between genius and madness."
A lot of the action takes place in and around Alderley Edge as goalkeeper Jonathan Christie holes up in a cave called The Hermit. Then whilst walking that fine line that lies between genius and madness, Jonathan thinks he has a 'big idea'.
The Art of Being One by Malcolm McClean is available from all good bookshops and online retailers price £7.99
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Very much looking forward to reading what promises to be a very interesting book.
Thanks to Malcolm and to Lisa for running the competition.