Looks and Smiles
by Barry Hines
38 Members (3.75)
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Mick Walsh, the central protagonist, is a good kid,who happens to be at the wrong time in the wrong,place. He wants to learn how to be a motorcycle,mechanic, but bad luck, inexperience, and tough,economic times prevent him from getting a job. At,a disco one evening, he meets and dances with,Karen Lodge, whose future is similarly bleak. She,works in the local shoe shop and the pair hang out,with Mick's buddy, Alan, who joins the army and,ends up in Northern Ireland. As ever, Hines show more avoids,sentimentality and tells it like it is, without,ever relinquishing hope and sympathy. show lessTags
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16+ Works 1,480 Members
Melvin Barry Hines was born in Hoyland Common, England on June 30, 1939. He trained as an apprentice mining surveyor before studying physical education at Loughborough Training College. He taught for two years in a London comprehensive before returning northern England to teach physical education. His debut novel, The Blinder, was published in show more 1966. His other novels included Signs, Unfinished Business, The Heart of It, and Elvis over England. A Kestrel for a Knave, The Gamekeeper, The Price of Coal, and Looks and Smiles were adapted to films by Ken Loach, with Hines writing the screenplays. Hines wrote intermittently for radio and television. His works included Billy's Last Stand, Speech Day, Two Men from Derby, and Threads. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007. He died on March 18, 2016 at the age of 76. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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