'Mayflies' is a story about a friendship between two boys that spans their whole lives, from early childhood to adulthood. The novel is divided into two parts, the first one concerning the boys' youth, the second set thirty-something years later, when heartbreaking news is broken by one of the men.

I greatly enjoyed reading this novel and even though I'm far removed from the experience of growing up as a boy in the second half of the twentieth century, it felt weirdly nostalgic to me. Moreover, the language was very poetic and made the experience even better. Definitely would recommend it.

I read Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan, and then I watched the BBC adaptation by Andrea Gibb. They are quite different beasts, not just because the format of the book doesn’t lend itself to a TV drama. In this review, I’ll concentrate on the book, but will also contrast it a little with the mini-series below. Now that last sentence sounds considerably more structured and formal than you normally get on this site. I guess that O’Hagan taking an issue with huge ethical and philosophical overtones, and then applying it to a novel which is about love and loyalty among the closest of friends, does that. There’s a deliberate self-awareness to the narrative which I suspect is quite hard to pull off. Although we are shown what it is like to be on the inside, we spend our time excluded. Tully, the force of nature at the centre of events, would claim to have no time for any of this introspection, so let’s dive in.
Tully, the narrator James/‘Noodles’ and the rest of the gang are in their late teens in the mid 1980s. They live in Ayrshire but their rites and routines will be recognisable to many. Their big pilgrimage to an indie festival in Manchester is the set piece around which the first half of the book revolves. It’s fun, it’s riotous, and it celebrates being young and male and acting without consequences. Without the strength of the relationships forged in the lyrics of the Smiths and the cultural ephemera surrounding the band (eg kitchen sink dramas), the shared experiences and the banter balanced by kindness and generosity - without Noodles there can be no heartbreaking request thirty years later from Tully to James.
The best of these kinds of books take joy in the small detail of everyday life. There are ordinary moments that are important, ordinary moments that when combined with other similar moments become important, and moments of inspiration that rise above. O’Hagan explores this mercilessly: in nominating a writer as his narrator (Mayflies has some autobiographical characteristics), O’Hagan allows James to provide sharp insights or witty aphorisms that are frequent enough to cause us to stop but not so frequent that we get bogged down in them.
O’Hagan wants to know what it is that causes people to be important in our lives. He considers the effect that our immediate family (parents and siblings), teachers and friends may have. James and Tully have different approaches to each of these. A member of the clergy is brought in, more as a philosophical ear than as a figure of authority. The gang explore the relationship between Michael and Fredo Corleone from The Godfather. But Tully’s partner, Anna, is almost completely excluded. From a lesser author it would seem that the power of the long-standing friend overshadows that of the spouse. O’Hagan seems to swerve the bullet…
…but on the small screen Gibb takes a different approach. Anna’s point of view is given far more of an airing. Tully’s illness is known to the viewer early on, and the Manchester trip is dialled down - though a cameo by Johnny Marr survives. What is also lost on the TV screen - I think they had a stab at it but couldn’t make it overt - is a small reference towards the end of the book. James is presented with a seventeenth century copy of Ephemera Vita.
‘Swammerdam believed that no being was higher than any other being,’ [he said].
‘It’s really wonderful,’ I said. ‘Mayflies’.
The final pages have the reader in pieces; the last sentence is bittersweet beyond possibility. Having got us emotionally where he wants us, O’Hagan ups and offs. It’s up to us to work our way through the morality and philosophy: Tully will go and we - James and Anna on our behalf - have to take it from here. A book which celebrates the patterns of life by championing the importance of the here and now couldn’t have it any other way.

Manchester, music, the 80s, the culture , the writing and THAT story … One of the best books I’ve read in a long time and one that I will be thinking about for a long time …

Being from Manchester and being of the same generation just added to the whole reading experience , I felt like I was living this sad journey with the group of friends . But even if you’re not familiar with the city the vivid descriptions will transport you there .

I can’t believe I’ve not read any of his previous work and I’ll be sure to hunt out his backlist .

This book absolutely knocked me out. An intimate, raw, funny and so very on the money look at friendships through a lifetime. I loved going back to a time before the complexities of the Internet age and spending time with a couple of blokes who changed each other forever. Gorgeous.

Fantastic novel. Vivid characters, unexpected conversations and very touching. Had me in tears by the end. Read it! Don’t be put off by the subject matter!

In 1986, Noodles and Tully and their Ayrshire mates head to Manchester for the musical weekend of their lifetimes. 30 years later, Tully phones Noodles with some devastating news.

A story about the joys of youth and loge friendships develop over the passing of time, about how to live, and die, well.

The novel shows how young men relate through music, drink and the trading of insults, as well as making lists. Such relationships however prove to be ephemeral. The relationship between the main characters is more profound. Tully is a force of nature and demands intimacy whilst following his own own, often hilariously anarchic path.

Thoughtful and entertaining.

A great depiction into lifelong friendship and the events that come with that. Beginning in the late 1960s in Scotland we meet James and Tully and explored their friendship through musics, films and very Scottish accents.

This was a unique look into friendship aided by O’hagan’s sharp witt and nostalgic culture references and lack of sentimentality. Great way of presenting the changing dynamics of young spritely friendship to adult friendship. Really enjoyed this not read much like it before but was rather sad at the end.

Andrew O Hagan is a stunning novelist he writes book that slide through the lives of many. Capturing the tortures and emotions of a human life carefully and thoughtfully thanks for early access!

This felt like two different books had been stuck together - usually, that's not something I like, but I thought O'Hagan really made it work. Truly moving and thought provoking. I think this would be an excellent read for book discussion groups.

What can I say about Andrew O'Hagan's Mayflies that will do it justice; to accurately describe how perfect this book is? I can't come up with anything except that this is the book I have been waiting to read for a long time.

It is essentially a book about the family you choose for yourself and how those friends become the most important people in your life. They are the ones that know you best. The ones who have seen you at your worst and not only love you for it but mercilessly mock you because they are the only ones who can get away with it.

What is brilliant but brutal about Mayflies is the highs and lows. When you think something bad is going to happen or a character won't amount to much he pulls the rug from under you, defying your expectations and ultimately keeping you on your toes.
Mayflies will definitely be appearing in my top ten of the year list.

Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan is available now.

For more information regarding Faber & Faber (@FaberBooks) please visit www.faber.co.uk.

Mayflies is a book of two halves, and I really enjoyed both.
The first half, set in 1986, follows a group of friends who travel down to Manchester from their small Scottish town. Manchester is the epicentre of everything they believe to be cool. Best friends James and Tully decide that weekend to make something of their lives, and not to compromise. This part of the novel is full of nostalgia - even for me, and I was 13 in 1986, so nowhere near as independent as Tully, Jimmy and their friends. But I could empathise with their new-found freedom, their enthusiasm of good music, films and books, and their feelings about politics.

2017, and Jimmy gets a phone call from Tully asking him to come home from London and see him. Tully has terminal cancer and needs Jimmy to help him - this is the true test of their friendship.

I loved how this was written, and how it really brought home the power of friendship and the memories that you share with those friends. Tully and Jimmy are more brothers than friends, and this felt like a really genuine relationship. So much so, that I was close to tears on several occasions. This is NOT a book to read in your lunch break (I did - but just the once!), because once I started reading it, half an hour wasn’t enough. And walking in to a room full of three year olds after a particularly emotional part wasn’t my finest moment!

So would I recommend this? Yes, I most certainly would. And I listened to parts of this on Audible, read so well by the author, so I’d recommend this too!

I really really enjoyed this read and I highly recommend it. It centres around the youth, their coming of age, their struggles to discover who they are and who they are destined to become while the suffer death and the sorrow that accompanies the loss of a loved one. It follows the lives and friendship of two men, James and Tully, from their finishing school until 30 or so years later when they reach middle age. Before saying their goodbyes and embarking upon adult hood they decide to head away from Scotland for one last hurrah. Their destination of choice is Manchester. Their trip to Manchester and the exploits it revealed really brought back memories of growing up in the 80's and 90's myself. It was raw and honest, a very accurate reflection of young people coming of age at that era. The second half of the book was heartfelt too but I found the first to be really hard hitting and emotional. This an excellent read. It was we written and very well thought out. I highly recommend it,

I have had this book for a good while and just not got around to reading it - but now I have. Andre O'Hagan has written a convincing novel here, one with a strong voice and set solidly at a particular time - one I can identify with.

Essentially, 'Mayflies' is about a group of boys from Glasgow who, at the start, are living their [fairly provincial] lives - and planning a mad trip to Manchester. It's about the music, the lifestyle, the embracing of experiences, something which the group do in different ways. Admittedly, I found some of the storyline a bit tricky to follow - it wasn't until later in the book that I enjoyed the story more.

Latter chapters focus on the boys - namely, Jimmy/James and Tully - who are by then in their early 50s. Sadly, Tully has terminal cancer and he relies on Jimmy to support him with his trip to Zurich - to Dignitas - to end his life. I found this significant section of the book quite emotional - but O'Hagan deals with such sensitive details in suitable ways, showing how Anna, Tully's wife, felt ostracised by Jimmy and Tully. She didn't want to be part of the plan, but when both couples (including Jimmy's wife, Iona) travel to Zurich, what matters if Tully's decision: it is his life and he knows what he wants.

The ending has left me with many thoughts, some happy, some sad, with Tully at the core of these. The book didn't grab me from the beginning but I persevered and I am pleased that I did.

Andrew O'Hagan, author and editor at large of the London Review of Books, takes us in the initial part of the book to the 80s and zones into a particular weekend in which the protagonist, James, goes from Glasgow to Manchester for a concert with his friends. The weekend serves in a way to mark a rite of initiation and a separation between teen school years and entry into the world of work, education, relationships and responsibilities. The other main protagonist introduced to us in this first section is Tully, who we see is already going through some issues back home.

As the weekend concludes, we are brought into the world of 2017, with James again as the narrator. His friend Tully contacts James to let him know he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The rest of the book centres around the final months, reminiscences of the past, last holidays and memories, the value of a good life and a good death, etc.

It would seem from interviews with the author that the book is largely autobiographical though I am not sure to what extent. In some respects one could draw comparisons to Knausgaard's A Death in the Family in respect of the autofiction elements, its meditations on life and death and the chronicling of dying (though in Mayflies it is the lead up to death, rather than the aftermath of death as it is in Knausgaard's effort). As a reading experience O'Hagan's work it did not pull me in a visceral and compulsive way as Knausgaard's manages to. I did not find any of the characterisations convincing, the weekend did not come alive to me regardless of all the (copious) boisterous adolescent banter and I felt I can not lean into the nostalgic content of a lot of the conversations in 2017/2018.

What did pull me in though was the account of the necessary practicalities involved in assisted dying which felt very real and a theme which I previously had not encountered in fiction. The dilemma of when is the right time to go, the agonising wait for the right time, the giving up or maintaining hope, the provocation that exercising control over one's death constitutes to others and the irrational reactions that follow from loved ones were well rendered and I found myself at times being moved. The tentative exploration of a possible gender dimension in terms of male friendship and so on was not convincing though. Generally the dialogue felt banal and stilted (e.g. "Some people live to be ninety" Iona said, "but they never know such things, It's no comfort right now, but he really lived." / "If being young is a crime scene", I said, "the evidence from that night is everywhere"). The prose too was mostly disappointing ("...her coiffed hair was the colour of the Danube"), with some isolated more clear-sighted memorable nuggets ("They say you know nothing at eighteen. But there are things you know at eighteen that you will never know again.").

Overall I did not regret investing time in reading this - it actually was quite a quick read - and would be interested in reading other work by O'Hagan.

Many thanks to Faber and Faber Ltd and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This really is a book of two halves. The first half centres on a group of friends who spend a wild weekend in Manchester. Although this part is crucial; for the readers' understanding as to how the friendship works it did go on a bit. I very nearly gave up as I did not know where the plot was going. Thankfully I soldiered on as the second half is a beautiful narration of a lasting friendship facing a final test. Having dragged my feet for the first half I read the second in a afternoon - the characters and emotions tugged on my heartstrings. So keep going for the fantastic second half!

I love a good coming of age story - especially when set to the backdrop of Thatcher's Britain and exploring a less obvious aspect of masculinity. Friendships, passions, hopes, sensitivity and male fragility are all explored in this two parter. It's as funny as it is poignant and it was a pleasure to read.

This is a novel split into two, of teenage festivals and friendship and how that bond stays with us for life.

Set just outside of Glasgow and centred around two boys, James ‘Noodles’ and his best friend, Tully, growing up in the shadow of the miners’ strikes and obsessed with kitchen sink dramas and the Smiths. The gang are focussed on making it to Manchester for a weekend festival, all of their favourite bands are on and they NEED to go.

The writing here is sunlit, as if writing the memories through a filter. Even though it’s supposed to be ‘then’, there’s something about the tone which indicates that it’s a post ‘then’, and the narrator is looking back at what once was. It’s nostalgic, and although I’ve never slept in a bus stop or blagged my way into an arena, I remember those times. Weekend music festivals where you sleep the sleep of the young and drunk, in a tent that’s freezing cold at night and boils you alive in the morning. Making new friends and losing old ones, only to meet up with everyone by chance to see your mutually favourite music act to belt out the choruses through a fog of smoke and night-time mist. Even nights out at clubs, where the discussion that happens afterwards, in the pizza place or the taxi queue, is the best part of the night as you compare notes and gossip.

1980s Britain is a place without jobs, as the last generation clings on to the war and the next one breaks free to the future. Tully brings light with him, an anarchic force refusing to stay in the box he’s been born into.

We then move decades forward, into the present day, and meet the boys again as they are men. Their lives have been, frittered away on beer and cigarettes or by following their dreams.
In some ways, and it’s mentioned in the book, the relationship between Andrew and Tully is like The Great Gatsby, where Andrew is Nick and Tully is Gatsby. Their connection and their constant film reference swaps and music discussions hold them together, much to the irritation of their partners as 50 year old men.

I mean this as a compliment when I say that this would be a great text to study for A’Levels/Highers. It’s layered, has themes and is interesting in a narrative way – there is plenty to talk about. I found myself wishing that it had been available 20 years ago when I was at school, as I would have loved to have talked about it in class and really examined it. It’s a relatively short book (coming in at about 350 pages for the hardcover, I suspect that’s quite large type).
I also think this will make a good double bill with Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, which is in my soon TBR pile.


The book also tackles difficult decisions, ones which I won’t go into as I don’t want to spoil it – but they definitely made me think about how they would apply to my life. For me, that’s the best marker of a good book, when it leaks into your own world and you think about it even when you’re not reading it.

Thanks to Netgalley as always and to the publishers, Faber & Faber, for the copy!

This first part of this book explores the friendship between James and Tully back in 1986 and the second part tells us where they are in 2017. This book wasn't really for me. It was definitely not bad, I just couldn't connect with most of the story since there were so many '80s UK references that easily went over my head. At times it was hard to keep up with the story or even understand certain conversations because 1) I'm not from that era, and 2) I'm not European. However, I really liked the friendship dynamics that we get to see in the story, the interesting talks that our main two characters have, and some fun situations encountered. Overall, I wouldn't discourage anyone to give this one a try.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A deep and thoughtful read which speaks to all of us.
A good read

' I suppose we could have wandered over to the touchline and asked his opinion, but being young is a kind of warfare in which the great enemy is experience'

This was the perfect trip down memory lane; working class Glasgow in the 80's, with all the music, film, political and TV references - it felt like going home.

James & Tully have been mates forever, part of a lively crowd who challenge each other in a way that only teenage boys who have grown up together can - the first half of this book centres on a trip to Manchester, a weekend of epic gigs, clubs and friendship. A final fling, before all of the boys start to go their separate ways and tread their own path.

Our story is told by Jimmy (James); a boy who is set on a road that will take him out of the life that he was born into. He is perceptive and see's his friends through the eyes of someone of older years. There is a special bond between him and Tully; on the outside, Tully makes life look easy - he takes care of Jimmy, who is one of the youngest in the group.

'Tully had innate charisma, a brilliant record collection, complete fearlessness in political argument, and he knew how to love you more than anyone else'

Fast forward 30 years and some of those friendships are still in tact. Jimmy receives a call from Tully; Tully needs his old friend, it is time for Jimmy to take care of Tully.

This book is beautiful, it examines death, friendship, relationships and family in a calm, yet totally affecting way.

Personally, the first half in Manchester was a little long for me but the second half took me completely... a look at death and, if you are given the opportunity, how you choose to go. The test of friendship, a look at a close male friendship and its dynamic, starkly contrasted with that of an equally strong marriage. The parts that are played in the most tragic of circumstances, the understanding gained by all and the acceptance of what is to come..

'I don't expect her to like it. Maybe I was hoping she'd see beyond it. "And that's what she's doing. "Not quite yet,' I said. 'Go gently with people's pain. It's the same as yours.' After a moment I took her hand and held it.....

It ripped my heart out, but by the time the end was in sight, I felt as ready as they all did. As ready as anyone can be, for what is inevitable for us all.....