Man Down

<p><b><br>Will Parks needs to man up.<br></b><br>A man stands. A man fights. A man <i>bleeds</i>.<br><br>These are the first lessons you learn in a town where girls are objects, words are weak and fists do the talking.<br><br>Will's more at home in the classroom than the gym, and the most important woman in his life is his gran. So how can a boy who's always backed away from a fight become the hero who saves the day?<br><br>Because a disaster is coming. One that Will can prevent. But only if he learns the most important lesson of all: sometimes to step up, you have to man down.<br><br><b>A searingly powerful exploration of toxic masculinity, perfect for fans of Juno Dawson or </b><i>They Both Die at the End</i><b>.</b><br><br>'Staggeringly good . . . had me hanging on every word' Louisa Reid, author of <i>Wrecked</i> and <i>Lies Like Love</i><br><br>'Good books make you feel something. Great books change the way you feel about everything. <i>Man Down</i> is a great book. No one is writing about young men's lives with as much warmth, empathy and humour as James is right now.' Samuel Pollen, author of <i>The Year I Didn't Eat</i><br><br>'Utterly compelling, completely original and will undoubtedly be one of the standout books of 2022. An absolute must read' - Adam Simcox, author of <i>The Dying Squad<br><br></i>'An excellent look at what it means to "be a man" amid a culture of peer pressure and toxic masculinity while navigating desire and friendship. Loved it.' - Anna Stephens, author of <i>Godblind<br><br></i>'Emotionally complex, dark and clever - a very unexpected, thoughtful and original book. I can honestly think of no other YA quite like it.' - Gina Blaxill, author of <i>Saving Silence<br></i></p> <p><b><br>Will Parks needs to man up.<br></b><br>A man stands. A man fights. A man <i>bleeds</i>.<br><br>These are the first lessons you learn in a town where girls are objects, words are weak and fists do the talking.<br><br>Will's more at home in the classroom than the gym, and the most important woman in his life is his gran. So how can a boy who's always backed away from a fight become the hero who saves the day?<br><br>Because a disaster is coming. One that Will can prevent. But only if he learns the most important lesson of all: sometimes to step up, you have to man down.<br><br><b>A searingly powerful exploration of toxic masculinity, perfect for fans of Juno Dawson or <i>They Both Die at the End</i>.<br></b><br>'Stylish, thought-provoking thriller territory . . . Highly recommended' - <i>The Irish Times</i><br><br>'Staggeringly good . . . had me hanging on every word' Louisa Reid, author of <i>Wrecked</i> and <i>Lies Like Love</i><br><br>'Good books make you feel something. Great books change the way you feel about everything. <i>Man Down</i> is a great book. No one is writing about young men's lives with as much warmth, empathy and humour as James is right now.' Samuel Pollen, author of <i>The Year I Didn't Eat</i><br><br>'Utterly compelling, completely original and will undoubtedly be one of the standout books of 2022. An absolute must read' - Adam Simcox, author of <i>The Dying Squad<br><br></i>'An excellent look at what it means to "be a man" amid a culture of peer pressure and toxic masculinity while navigating desire and friendship. Loved it.' - Anna Stephens, author of <i>Godblind<br><br></i>'Emotionally complex, dark and clever - a very unexpected, thoughtful and original book. I can honestly think of no other YA quite like it.' - Gina Blaxill, author of <i>Saving Silence<br></i></p>