In postwar Britain a new writing style emerged from the bleak times that was commonly known as “kitchen sink drama.” It sounds a little disrespectful now perhaps but these stories brought realism and raw emotion to their readers. Stan Barstow’s A Kind of Loving finds Vic Brown in a bleak Yorkshire industrial town and his striving for maturity in his relationship with girlfriend Ingrid and her small town ways. The story examines in great detail his feelings as the relationship develops. Richard Huw perfectly captures the mood and character in his reading.
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"It's a good piece of social history. Interesting to compare the lifestyles of young people in the 1960's compared with today - so much changes! Really good read though, Vic is a very credible character and you can really feel for him and his predicament."
— Lynda (4 out of 5 stars)
" Funny, touching, but just a little bit too bleak. "
— Anouska, 12/18/2013" I can empathise about having no home! A slice of gritty northern life, well not really, but enjoyable all the same. "
— Casnewydd, 11/25/2013" This book really pulls the rug out from you about halfway through. I'm sitting there reading it and my head is filling with images of idealistic love. Then slowly things start to unravel. Then before you know it you're in a nightmare. "
— Danny, 7/20/2013" Missed out on this one when I was at school. Not sure I would have appreciated it then, anyway. Enjoyed it very much now. Very thought-provoking despite the fact that much of it belongs to another age. "
— Paul, 4/25/2012" believable characters in a well written book, a well deserved classic, makes you think about love and the trials of relationships. "
— Darrell, 3/19/2012" another 'working class' book read as a teenager. I still remember the scene on the bus. Ace-i-mondo, as i would have said then. "
— Alan, 10/3/2011" A story of its time. The classic story of boy meets girl and how sometimes we have to pay a high price for a foolish mistake. "
— Ruth, 8/6/2011" The first book in the trilogy by Stan Barstow. 1960's Yorkshire, England about a 21 year old ready to move out and experience the big world when he is forced to marry a girl he doesn't love because she is pregnant. Well written. "
— Karen, 8/3/2011" interesting depiction of times and attitudes in the early sixties "
— Nick, 7/18/2011" loved this book. haven't read it for 30 years but it has worn so well. You feel so sorry for Vic and Ingrid, it will never work! "
— Sarah, 3/29/2011" another one I read when I was a teenager and loved it - probably a bit old fashioned now though! "
— Elaine, 5/8/2010" The first book in the trilogy by Stan Barstow. 1960's Yorkshire, England about a 21 year old ready to move out and experience the big world when he is forced to marry a girl he doesn't love because she is pregnant. Well written. "
— Karen, 4/13/2010" This book really pulls the rug out from you about halfway through. I'm sitting there reading it and my head is filling with images of idealistic love. Then slowly things start to unravel. Then before you know it you're in a nightmare. "
— Danny, 12/8/2009