The Twenty Seven Club – Lucy Nichol

Drugs and booze. Hedonism and debauchary. It’s not just rock stars who are living a wild life.

Emma works in a mind numbingly dull nine to five in her home city of Hull. Friends, nights out and a love of rock music are keeping her sane. When news of Kurt Cobain’s death breaks in 1994, she becomes consumed with anxiety, the death of one of her favourite musicians causing an existential crisis. Her 27th birthday is fast approaching and she fears she may be next to join the club.

So begins a plan to put it right. In this pacy, witty and utterly relatable novel, Lucy Nichol explores issues of finding an in crowd, knowing your place, figuring out what matters, and growing into your own skin. She uncovers what makes Emma tick and how her relationships and friendships keep her going. And she does it all with the passion and fierceness of someone who loves music.

It’s a fiercely pacy novel that perfectly explores coming of age, and what it means to grow into yourself. Insightful, tender and thought provoking it’s an easy read that explores big issues in a relatable way. Although at times a nostalgia trip, it’s certainly not only for anyone who was there.

Nichol is open and honest about her own mental health, and a big advocate for funding, challenging stigma, and being open and honest about it. She writes with the rawness and intensity of someone who has been there.

The novel is already being adapted for stage by Live Theatre and will be taking to the Newcastle stage.