Let’s Fly by Giles Fraser
Nick Hunter is about to find out. He made a colossal mistake when he was barely out of school and now his whole world is in jeopardy as he races against the clock to save his family and his business from disaster.
In 1979 Hunter heads to London, and a squat in Notting Hill, with dreams of musical success. With his fellow squatters he forms a band and they record four short songs before tensions and misunderstandings drive them apart. Nick lies and tells the record company the songs are all his own work. Six years later one of the songs, Let’s Fly, is picked as the soundtrack to a blockbuster movie and Nick makes a fortune in royalties.
In 2017, Nick, his wife Sam and daughter Jen now live in the house opposite his old squat. His successful food business is about to go public, but someone is on his back. Nick is in massive debt and the heavies are closing in. Disasters are befalling the business just at the wrong time. Then Sam is snatched and, with a price on her head, Nick must come up with the money or lose her. With his life and family on the line – and just days to play with - Nick has to stop whoever is destroying his life and come clean with those he loves in order to hang on to everything he holds dear.
About the author.
Giles Fraser co-founded and runs Brands2Life, one of the world’s leading PR and communications agencies specialising in the technology and online sectors. He studied under Richard Skinner at The Faber Academy in 2015/16. He lives in Barnes, West London
Review
‘Let’s Fly’ is a novel about the folly of youth, dreaming and the reality of when these dreams fail. Nick, as his protagonist feels real as he comes across as a flawed but generally decent guy. Aren't we all a little bit like that? I loved the disparity between the two timelines in documenting Notting Hill. I certainly wasn't aware that it was a land of squats in the 1970s, I always think of it as the land of posh mummy types!
When Nick is unceremoniously dumped at the end of university he decides to decamp to London to form a band. They don't last long - basically, they record four songs and break up. However, six years later one of those songs is used in a movie and earns him a shit ton of money. He uses this to build up his business and a full circle later he is living in Notting Hill with his wife and daughter.
I can't say I liked Nick as a character - he seemed a bit selfish for my liking. Both in his youth and adulthood. Yes, he made certain choices when he was young and it's only now they are causing him problems but it's these unintentional choices that really make a person. Having said that though, not liking him as a character didn't affect my enjoyment of the book!
I don't think I personally would class this as a thriller as it feels more like a coming of age story albeit with a tiny bit of action on the side. The twists weren't over complicated which fitted well into the narrative. I enjoyed the social commentary on Notting Hill, especially as I wasn't aware of the history of punk music there! Plus I love punk! It is a shame that so much of London is gentrified now. Even Camden feels very slick now!
Please let me know whether you read this one and what your thoughts are!
