Heartworm – the Novel
We have three copies of Ben Vendetta’s fantastic second novel ‘Heartworm’ to give away.
Ben was in Dublin recently to launch the book at the Garage Bar on what proved to be a wonderful evening. To be in with a chance of winning a copy of the novel, leave a comment below. It can be a few thoughts on the album ‘Heartworm’ by Whipping Boy; any recollections or anecdotes relating to the album, abuse or praise, your favourite song from the record, anything you like. The authors of our three favourite comments will receive a signed paperback copy of the book. Closing date is 9pm GMT Monday 16 November 2015. Winners will be notified by email, so make sure you leave a valid email address.
More about Ben Vendetta
Ben Vendetta has been writing about rock and roll for his entire adult life for a number of publications, including The Big Takeover and Skyscraper. He published Vendetta Magazine from 1995 to 2002 and was the director of publicity at Dionysus Records before co-founding independent record label, Elephant Stone Records, with his wife Arabella Proffer-Vendetta. He’s also a serious Masters Division runner. He has written two novels: Wivenhoe Park (Cooperative Trade, 2013) and Heartworm (Cooperative Trade, Oct. 2015).
The Novel ‘Heartworm’
Britpop, booze, cults, and a questionable Chinese restaurant bar? It’s 1995 and small-time music critic Drew has a desire for destruction. While championing an underdog Irish band, Whipping Boy, he embarks on a voyage of sex and drugs from Boston to Belfast while burying memories of his estranged wife – who is now in danger. His life was once saved by rock ‘n’ roll, but it may be too late for redemption in the last days of the music industry before the bubble bursts.
Whether dropped by your record label or dropped by a lover – these situations call for a drink.
Praise for ‘Heartworm’
Vendetta is obviously a serious indie fan and, in amidst all the Blur, Oasis and Verve references, the pages of this enjoyably witty and fast paced novel are littered with the names of relatively obscure bands that you’ve probably forgotten – Lush, Auteurs, Ultra Vivid Scene, cast, etc. Immediately after finishing Heartworm, this reviewer spent several hours revisiting the ’90s on YouTube.
— Olaf Tyaransen, Hot Press
Heartworm will make you nostalgic for the mid-1990s Brit-rock scene – even if you never lived through the era. But this is no moody walk down memory lane. The second book in Vendetta’s trilogy about rock journalist Drew is a moving and often very funny look at growing older, sometimes not so gracefully, as the post-college years turn into adulthood. And, it comes with a great soundtrack, from the Jesus and Mary Chain to Oasis to Whipping Boy.
— Laura DeMarco, Cleveland Plain Dealer
In Heartworm Vendetta has done another terrific job of keeping readers eyes glued to the pages. It was a real page turner that I honestly had a hard time putting down (it didn’t hurt that plenty o’ cool bands were mentioned on nearly every page) so this book will appeal to music geeks like myself as well as folks who like a good love story.
— Tim Hinely, Blurt Magazine
For more information: http://www.elephantstonerecords.com/ben-vendetta/
