The story of Ted Lewis carries historical and cultural resonances for our own troubled times.
A thoroughly researched, thoroughly fascinating account of the tumultuous life of Ted Lewis, the troubled crime writer who wrote the novel on which Get Carter was based.
Lewis’s life story reads like a riveting movie script, with its punch-powerful rags-to-riches-to-rags narrative. Born in 1940 in Manchester, Lewis studied at Hull College of Arts and Crafts before heading south to the Big Smoke. Here he embraced all that Swinging Sixties’ London had to offer while embarking on a career in advertising and TV. Socialising with Soho gangsters provided much stimulation and Lewis authored nine novels. While the critical and commercial success of the movie might have made his star rise, real-life resulted in tragedy, with the break-up of his marriage and early death at the age of just forty-two.
The author’s knowledge of his subject is exceptional, and his unfailing respect makes for an elegant, enthralling reading experience, while Lewis’s legacy lives on through the work of contemporary crime writers. Truly a treat for noirists. Joanne Owen
'Get Carter' are two words to bring a smile of fond recollection to all British film lovers of a certain age. The cinema classic was based on a book called Jack's Return Home, and many commentators agree contemporary British crime writing began with that novel. The influence of both book and film is strong to this day, reflected in the work of David Peace, Jake Arnott, Russell Lewis and the likes. But what of the man who wrote this seminal work?Ted Lewis is one of the most important writers you've never heard of. Born in Manchester in 1940, he grew up in the tough environs of postwar Humberside, attending Hull Art School before heading for London. His life described a cycle of obscurity to glamour and back to obscurity, followed by death at only 42. He sampled the bright temptations of sixties London while working in advertising, TV and films; he encountered excitement and danger in Soho drinking dens among various gangland haunts. He wrote for Z Cars and had some eight books published. Alas, the life of Ted Lewis fell apart, his marriage ended and he returned to Humberside and an all too early demise. Getting Carter is a meticulously researched and riveting account of the career of a doomed genius. Long-time admirer Nick Triplow has fashioned a thorough, sympathetic and unsparing narrative. The story of Ted Lewis carries historical and cultural resonances for our own troubled times. Required reading for noirists, Getting Carter will enthral and move anyone who finds irresistible the old cocktail of rags to riches to rags.
Nick Triplow's book has brought him brilliantly back into the light Mike Hodges, director of Get Carter
Author
About Nick Triplow
Nick Triplow is the author of the south London crime novel Frank's Wild Years and the social history books The Women They Left Behind, Distant Water and Pattie Slappers. His acclaimed short story, Face Value, was a winner in the 2015 Northern Crime competition. Originally from London, now living in Barton upon Humber, Nick studied English and Creative Writing at Middlesex University and, in 2007, earned a distinction at Sheffield Hallam University’s MA in Creative Writing. Since completing his biography of British noir pioneer, Ted Lewis, Nick has been working on new fiction.
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