Gazza Agonistes
Ian Hamilton
In 1987 Ian Hamilton - acclaimed poet, biographer and Tottenham fan - was smitten from afar by the impish skills of Newcastle United’s Paul Gascoigne. When ‘Gazza’ duly signed for Spurs, Hamilton was sure that he and English football had found their new hero. But Gascoigne was destined to be brought low by tragic flaws, and Hamilton was ideally positioned to tell the tale in this, a peerless piece of football literature.
‘By the final whistle Hamilton has sketched a compelling figure: reckless, cocky, twitchy, hyperactive and half bonkers ... but with flashes of implausible grace that connect with the dreams of his audience.’ Independent
'Our one consolation for Ian Hamilton’s early death is that his work seems to have lived on with undiminished force. He helped to shape our generation and at this rate may well do the same for the next as well. The critical prose, in particular, still sets a standard that nobody else comes near.' Clive James
Tags
Categorised as:
Non-fiction
Sub-categories:
Biography & Memoir
Genres & Themes:
Faber Finds;
Icons;
Football;
Mavericks
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