Liverpool Fantasy: A Novel

by Larry Kirwan

It's 1987, and the Beatles are gathering in Liverpool for a reunion. It has been twenty-five years since John Lennon walked out of the Parlophone studios, taking George and Ringo with him. Paul,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560254971
• ISBN13: 9781560254973
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Simply the Best

A fictional story about the Beatles breaking up before the band actually became what they are today, conjured up thoughts of a book about the music industry and the changes that we would expect. That is just a small part of it. Mr. Kirwan explores what would happen to an entire generation of people worldwide without the release of Rock and Roll and the theraputic nature of music on this generation. Political ramifications, musical ramifications, personal ramifacations, and much, much, more. The amazing part about this whole complex fantasy that he lays out for us, is it remains an easy read and a book that you will find hard to put down. The book also goes deeply into the band mates and what it meant to be one of the Liverpool Lads. The writings about them playing has to be as close to being on a stage than any of us will ever get. I am a guitar player, to a degree, and was sweating along with the lads when the band strikes up a chord. I sold my old guitar at 25 and this book made me buy another at 38. Just by chance I started this book on the grounds of the Hemmingway house while on vacation and I know the musings of Kirwan would make Papa smile. Thank you Mr. Larry Kirwan, I just picked up your latest work and am just as impressed early on. Daniel C. Laursen

A little background information is helpful

For those who have a hard time understanding the backdrop for this alter universe, one should do a little research on British Parliament and, in particular, Enoch Powell. The book even has a bit of his infamous speech that led to his ousting from a higher position in the parliament to a much lower level of power. Just do a bit of research on this right wing racist and you will begin to understand the Liverpool that John lives in and despises circa 1987. It is a world, that because of The Beatles not having had the influence on the youth movement and because there never was a Swinging London, Enoch Powell and his facist views are in full bloom. Beatle fans might be familiar with the the catalog of songs or titled improvisational jams that were to make up alot of the Let It Be sessions. Paul was very in tune with the political backlash at the time regarding Enoch Powell's speech and titled one of his improvisations after the man. Paul and John continued on the same theme with "Commonwealth". The lyrics for "Get Back" were also a comment on the immigration situation into Great Britain.

A fascinating nightmare

Larry Kirwan knows his way through the minds of the Beatles. Anyone with doubts shoud read this and then read Hunter Davies' or another of the multitude of available texts or biographies of the group. The voices are as much representative of the alternate John, Paul, George, and Ringo as they are indicative of Kirwan's skills as an author.The idea of this world struck home-(one of my earliest memories is my dad telling me that one day I would realize and appreciate the importance of Sgt. Peppers'--he was right, of course). While causing a mixture of other emotions-maybe without the enormous success of the Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison would still be with us. Would the trade off be worth the loss? Is it really possible four individuals can make that much of a difference to society? These questions are present within the story-but the reader is left to his or her own devices when it comes to making decisions.Liverpool Fantasy is just that. A fantasy. Although not a very comforting one. Larry Kirwan is a story teller who has often told stories that lead the listener (or reader) to learn more about a known subject-and this book continues that tradition.A good inspiration for a fresh listen to your Beatles collection-which comes as a rare and welcome event.

Brilliant, Exciting Novel

For most of us, to paraphrase John Lennon: "Imagine there's no Beatles, is not easy if we try." But in this beautifully conceived and written novel, Larry Kirwan gives us an Alternative World. It's a world that not only personalizes what happened to John, Paul, George and Ringo, but what happens to the world of politics, culture and music without them. The novel is very hard to put down, and hard not to hope for certain outcomes as one reads on; forgetting of course that The Beatles did not indeed break up in 1962. Thanks to Larry Kirwan for making my mind wander, explore and remember the days that thankfully did happen; the days of Revolver, Sgt Peppers, White Album, Abbey Road, Something New, Rubber Soul, etc etc etc

Entertaining and thought-provoking "what if."

The Beatles changed the world. Where other societies owe great changes to political leaders, scientists, or philosophers the West was changed completely both culturally and politically by the Fab Four from Liverpool, England. No work of fiction or non-fiction brings this truth more to light than Larry Kirwan's wildly entertaining novel "Liverpool Fantasy."The story is set in 1987, twenty-five years after the Beatles broke-up prior to the release of their groundbreaking single "Please Please Me." The four, never achieving their "fab" status, have taken different paths following the break-up: Paul the Vegas lounge superstar, John the local town [clown], Ringo still backing bands in his native Liverpool and George the Catholic priest recovering from a nervous breakdown.We follow the four as they get back together for the first time in twenty-five years.Kirwan's vivid language and descriptions bring the story alive. The excitement I felt when "seeing" the Beatles perform on stage (in 1987 no less!) was palpable. The story is at once humorous and heart-breaking while all the while making the reader anxious to turn the next page.As thought provoking as it is entertaining, Kirwan delves into all of the possibilities of this "what if" alternate world politically, socially, and culturally. Throughout this sort of magical mystery tour, we come to a new understanding of these four individuals' personas, and a deeper appreciation of just how much of an impact The Beatles have had on everything since.