Best of
Modern

1984

My Life in Crime


John Kiriamiti - 1984
    This is the true story of one of the participants in some of those robberies, John Kiriamit. In raw and candid language, Kiramiti tells the story of how he dropped out of secondary school when he was only fifteen years old, and for a time became a novice pickpocket, before graduating into crimes like car-breaking and ultimately into violent robbery. This spell-binding story takes the reader into the underworld of crime, and it depicts graphically the criminal's struggle for survival against the forces of law. Worldreader proudly presents this ebook in a new series of children's and young adult books from Sub-Saharan Africa. Worldreader is a non-profit organization committed to delivering digital books to children and families in the developing world using e-book technology. By purchasing this book you directly contribute to this effort by helping fund school literacy programs, and promote the writing and publication of great books from local authors everywhere.

The Black Velvet Gown


Catherine Cookson - 1984
    For this was Durham in the 1830's, when employers tended to regard the spread of education with suspicion. But now Seth Millican was dead and she was a widow with the need to find a home and a living for herself and her children.The chance of becoming a housekeeper didn't work out, but it led to Moor House and a scholarly recluse obsessed with that very book learning that could open so many doors and yet create so many problems; especially with her daughter, Biddy, who was not only bright, but witful...THE BLACK VELVET GOWN is the story of a mother and daughter, often at odds with each other, facing the need to challenge and fight the prejudice of an age—a narrative of great power and diversity that is one of Catherine Cookson's major achievements.

Virgins


Caryl Rivers - 1984
    This book contains the rules and regimen, hijinks and longing of that time.

The Dearest And The Best


Leslie Thomas - 1984
    In the spring of 1940, the spectre of war turned into grim reality.And on the English home front, men, women and children found themselves swept into a maelstrom of fear and uncertainty while events abroad led inexorably from the debacles of Norway and Dunkirk to the horror and glory of the Battle of Britain.For the Lovatt family - James, seconded on a hush-hush assignment to work with Churchill, and his brother Harry, a naval officer - for Bess Spofford, Joanne Schorner, Graham Smit and all the inhabitants of the history villages of the New Forest, it was the beginning of the most bizarre, funny and tragic episode of their lives.

Life its Ownself


Dan Jenkins - 1984
    From the author of Semi-Tough, the hilarious continuing adventures of Billy Clyde Puckett—injured football player and TV sports commentator—featuring his wife, the former Barbara Jane Bookman, and his old friend, Shake Tiller.

The Commissar's Report


Martyn Burke - 1984
    In this comic novel of the Cold War, Dimitri, a young hero of the Russian Revolution and Kremlin spy is secretly smitten by the sirens of capitalism. His posting to the Soviet consulate in New York is a dream come true. The dream quickly becomes a nightmare. Dimitri’s Soviet boss despises him, his wife is obsessed with the unsocialist pursuit of a Bergdorf’s charge account, and his boyhood friend is now a CIA agent who stalks him. On Wall Street, he is plagued by his wild talent for making money in the stock market. His bosses in Red Square would find this difficult to overlook if they knew. And, as Dimitri fears, the old men of the Kremlin have a deadly habit of knowing everything sooner… or later.

The Sinner's Congregation


Guy Bellamy - 1984
    Reluctantly owned by Martin Lomax, the Bali has a bar that provides refuge to residents and a group of eccentric locals including the sharp-tongued, gin-swilling Mrs Stapleton and her verbal sparring partner Adam.One fateful day, however, the mirth and merriment of the Bali is clouded by the arrival of a spectre from Martin’s past. His name is Edwin Catchpole and to say that he is a vicious brute would be flattery. To Martin, the opportunity to even the score is far too tempting to resist…"Zany, with snappy dialogue and nice throw-away lines, the story carries a genuine sense of lonely tragedy beneath the chuckles."Sunday Express"Crackles with aphorisms….a powerful novel."Daily Express"High comedy…high entertainment."New Yorker

Scully and Mooey


Alan Bleasdale - 1984