The Madonna of Bolton
  • Published: 12 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9781783526208
  • Imprint: Unbound Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416

The Madonna of Bolton

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Published to coincide with Madonna’s sixtieth birthday, this is the fastest funding novel in Unbound’s history: a young boy growing up gay in Bolton adopts Madonna as a spirit guide for life

‘Fabulous Matt Cain and fabulous Madonna together at last – what a treat’ - Jenny Colgan

‘Glorious ... a triumphant coming of age tale about the power of being true to yourself’ - Juno Dawson
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Charlie Matthews’ love story begins in a pebble-dashed house in suburban Bolton, at a time when most little boys want to grow up to be Michael Jackson, and girls want to be Princess Di. Remembering the Green Cross Code and getting out of football are the most important things in his life, until Auntie Jan gives him a gift that will last a lifetime: a seven-inch single called ‘Lucky Star’...

On his ninth birthday, Charlie discovers Madonna, and falls in love. His obsession sees him through some tough times in life: being persecuted at school, fitting in at a posh university, a glamorous career in London, finding boyfriends, getting rid of boyfriends, and family heartbreak. Madonna’s music and videos inspire him, and her fierce determination to succeed gives him the confidence to do the same. Ultimately, though, he must learn to let go of his idol and find his own voice.

Charlie’s story is Billy Elliot meets Beautiful Thing wearing a conical bra – a story for anyone who ever sang their heart out, looked for love and dreamed of more… The Madonna of Bolton will make you laugh, cry and Get Into the Groove. It’s a book to Cherish and a Ray of Light, and it even has a little Hanky Panky.
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THE FASTEST-CROWDFUNDED NOVEL IN UNBOUND'S HISTORY
  • Published: 12 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9781783526208
  • Imprint: Unbound Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416
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About the author

Matt Cain

Matt Cain was born in Bury and brought up in Bolton. He spent ten years making arts and entertainment programmes for ITV before stepping in front of the camera in 2010 to become Channel 4 News’ first ever culture editor. His first novel, Shot Through the Heart, was published in 2014 and his second, Nothing But Trouble, followed in 2015. As a journalist he's contributed articles to all the major UK newspapers and in 2017 was voted Diversity in Media's Journalist of the Year. In Spring 2018 he stepped down as Editor-in-Chief of Attitude, the UK's biggest-selling magazine for gay men. He lives in London.

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Praise for The Madonna of Bolton

Charming, funny, touching, a lovely coming-of-age novel – and a celebration of music, Madonna and being true to yourself

Kate Mosse

Fabulous Matt Cain and fabulous Madonna together at last – what a treat

Jenny Colgan

A sharp, moving and laugh-out-loud funny novel about finding love and deserving it'

Russell T. Davies

A riotous rollercoaster of a read, gripping, with a huge heart

SJ Watson

A glorious celebration of the queen of pop and a triumphant coming-of-age tale about the power of being true to yourself

Juno Dawson

A book for anybody who feels at all marginalised, small, bullied or lost

Claudia Winkleman

It’s a cracker!

Lorraine Kelly

Shades of Billy Elliot colour this sequinned, unrepentantly Eighties tale of coming-of-age and finding your own voice

Mail on Sunday

Sharply and beautifully drawn

Sunday Times

An uplifting and nostalgic gem of a novel

Heat

This book made us laugh and cry, and entertains from start to finish

Attitude

A joyful tale that will move you to laughter and cheers

i

A fun, relatable read tackling life’s obstacles in a way that's relatable to all

DIVA

A hilarious, heart-wrenching coming-of-age novel

The Pool
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