Contemporary
It’s January 1982, and Britain will soon be at war with Argentina. But that’s not why Terry’s life is falling apart. Forty-five and recently redundant from the only job he’s ever had, he and his wife Pat are forced to sell their home and move into a static caravan.
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It’s January 1982, and Britain will soon be at war with Argentina. But that’s not why Terry’s life is falling apart. Forty-five and recently redundant from the only job he’s ever had, he and his wife Pat are forced to sell their home and move into a static caravan.
The only chink of light is the unlikely success of the White Hart darts team, but Terry’s teammates face problems of their own: Phil suspects his wife is having an affair, while Tom’s is depressed about their inability to conceive. Then Terry’s son reveals some surprising news, and Terry makes a visit to the doctor that leaves him with no choice but to consider what matters most in his life.
Slings and Arrows is a funny and moving novel about love, family, friendship – and darts.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
Fantastic, wonderful read. I have ( had) no interest in darts but Nick McLoughlins magnificent writing kept me clued to the pages. The characters are as relevant in 2024 as he describes them in the 1980's. They are real , we all know people like them and in their situations. It's a feel good book with a mixture of laughter, sadness and happiness. I loved the ending, very clever.
A fantastic read, a genuine page-turner. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll never want it to end. What a great debut novel!
A moving and relatable trip back to the 80’s. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The descriptive writing stirred so many memories and I now know a lot more about darts too.
In the acknowledgements the author thanks the reader for taking the time to read Slings and Arrows. He goes on to say 'if you laugh only once, feel empathy towards any of the characters, or are pleased in some some way by the rhythm of a single sentence, then I shall consider that I have not failed.' Well he has certainly succeeded as I connected with each of those statements and thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end. Thank you for taking me back to the 80's. I loved the cover too, the milk bottle brought intrigue before I even opened the first page.
This is a wonderful, warm-hearted read. Terry’s progress in the big darts tournament, along with other challenges he meets along the way, provides a framework for a thoughtful exploration of friendship and family, with a range of well-drawn characters. Set in the early 80s, the book is so much more than just an exercise in nostalgia for readers of a certain age (although, as a reader of a certain age myself, I enjoyed the way the references to music, television and the politics of the day ground the book in its setting). The ending was a surprise, but an entirely fitting one that crowned a thoroughly enjoyable, page-turning read. Nick McLoughlin managed to finish with a bullseye.
