 |
Wild Boy
The First Shirt
by Peter Edwin Ransley
Peter Ransley’s “Wild Boy” is a captivating tale that blends the charm of childhood with the harsh realities of growing up in a challenging environment. The story centres on Des, a spirited and mischievous 9-year-old boy, who lives with his mother and a man named Almost in a dilapidated flat in a London tower block. Almost, who is nearly but not quite his father, shares a home that’s in desperate need of repairs, a task continually postponed by the unhelpful Warden, Mr Next-Week.
Des is consumed by the mystery of his absent father, a topic his mother is both clueless and uninterested in, fuelling his determination to uncover the truth. His wild antics and endearing personality unexpectedly catapult him into the world of television acting. As Des navigates this new realm, he faces the question of whether this newfound fame will aid in his quest to find his father or if it will complicate his mother’s fragile relationship with Almost.
Ransley skillfully portrays Des’s journey, balancing moments of humour and heartache. The narrative delves into themes of identity, family, and resilience, capturing the essence of a young boy’s quest for answers in a world that often seems indifferent to his plight.
“Wild Boy” is a compelling read that will resonate with readers of all ages, offering a poignant look at the lengths one boy will go to uncover his past while dealing with the complexities of his present. Ransley’s storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking, making this novel a standout in contemporary children’s literature.
Published by Grosvenor House Publishing Limited on 2020-12-10
Peter Ransley’s work as a screenwriter spans psychological thrillers, plays with a social theme and historical drama.
He wrote single plays for the seminal BBC Plays for Today Series. His Kate the Good Neighbour won the Gold Medal in the Commonwealth Film and TV Festival in 1980, while Minor Complications, based on a real case of medical negligence, gained him the Royal Television Society’s Writer’s Award in 1981. The massive response to the play, led to his setting up a charity together with his wife Cynthia and its first Chief Executive, Arnold Simanowitz, Action Against Medical Negligence. This has transformed the prospects for compensation in cases of negligence and continues to be a major influence in campaigning for patient safety.
He adapted his novel The Hawk into a film starring Helen Mirren. His novel Bright Hair was a BBC television series with Emilia Fox while his award winning series The Price was a Channel 4 / RTE co-production.
In mainstream television, he worked on series such as Tales of the Unexpected and Ruth Rendell Mysteries. Three more recent TV productions were Fallen Angel, ITV, A Good Murder, BBC1 and his BAFTA nominated adaptation of Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith for BBC1.
Peter has long been interested in history. He wrote a TV series Bread or Blood set at the time of the Swing Riots in 1830. His interest in the English Civil War led to his trilogy Plague Child, Cromwell’s Blessing and The King’s List.
He has just published Wild Boy, from an idea by his grandson Finlay Parker, who is nine. He is now working on book two and Wild Boy has just started secondary school.
