Honey Rich

From an early age, Nige Honey was tipped for superstardom, but it hasn't worked out that way. Life in division two is grim, and something needs to change. The influence of wayward cousin Ben, and the enigmatic George Carmichael means that Nige soon finds himself embarking on a frightening journey of self-discovery.

This tale about unfulfilled potential, a face from the past, family politics and modern day excess, takes the reader on an entertaining journey into the world of the twenty first century.

Why Honey Rich?

The theme about a character who's destined for greatness yet whose eventual plight contrasts his initial expectations interested me. We all know about the players who celebrate their honeymoon on billion pound yachts and the ones who earn six figures a week on the treatment table, but I was more interested in the ones who narrowly miss the boat. I wanted to examine the precarious tight rope that exists between success and failure. Modern day society encourages maximum exposure, get rich quick schemes and celebrity existence, so I felt it would be interesting to explore the path of a character who on paper should have it all, yet ends up struggling with debt and delusions of grandeur whilst craving status and identity in a society which lacks its own identity.

Reviews

Full of social commentary and examining the modern-day obsession with wealth and fame, Honey Rich is targeted at an often elusive market when it comes to buying and reading books – men aged under 35.

Dave Flett - York Press

*****

Raw, original and painstakingly funny...’the race commentators voice mirrored that of a vicar on speed', Wagstaffe's debut tackles issues of unfulfilled dreams, anguish, falseness, relationships, hope, desperation and, ultimately redemption.

A.Langley-Smith - London

*****

The novel is filled with clever and inventive analogies and he (Wagstaffe) displays a real talent for expressing the thought processes and emotions that affect us all...well worth checking out.

A.Leigh - Edinburgh

*****

This novel has moments of absolute hilarity and deep pathos, skillfully blended by an emerging master story teller, to produce a rich and complex story, that is both entertaining, but also has something important to say about life and our own fragile dreams. Wagstaffe is an author to watch out for.

D.Dickinson - Huddersfield

*****

I've never laughed out loud so much whilst reading a book - I must have laughed at something on virtually every page.

R.Squires - Hull

*****

The book charts his (Nige Honey) gradual decline and ultimate redemption with an entertaining, well written narrative that is rich in humour and cutting social commentary.

D.Keane - London

*****

As events unfold I found myself unable to put the book down and was constantly wondering what would happen next.

D.Tennent - Milton Keynes

*****

Wagstaffe scores a hit with this real and raw novel about the other side of football. I've not read anything quite like it before.

T.Rendell - Hull