John the Revelator, By Peter Murphy

An Irish debut that bursts with energy from exploding rain drops to bawling babies, Murphy's restless coming-of-age tale is a memorable one . At the heart of the story lies the relationship between the spotty adolescent, John Devine, and his Bible-quoting mother.

Bored to death and worried by his mum's chain-smoking, John longs for escape. His prayers seem answered with the arrival in town of the charismatic, and outrageously posh, James Corboy. Life is suddenly filled with possibilities as the two boys plan to shoot a film inspired by the work of Rimbaud. Only John's mother, and her ever-worsening health issues, stand in the way. This first novel captures the pangs of teenagedom, and the horrifying moment when the world no longer loves you.