![]() First edition (UK) | |
Author | Graham Swift |
---|---|
Cover artist |
The Birds of America (1827-38) Carolina Parrots John James Audubon |
Language | English |
Genre | novel |
Publisher |
Scribners (UK) Knopf (US) |
Publication date | 2020 |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type | |
Pages | 208 |
ISBN | 1-47-118893-0 |
Here We Are is a novel published in 2020 by English author Graham Swift concerning a magician on Brighton Palace Pier. [1]
At the age of eight, Ronnie Deane was evacuated at the beginning of World War 2 from Bethnal Green to a large house called 'Evergrene' in rural Oxfordshire, where a childless Lawrences looked after him. Ronnie was taught magic tricks (or as he preferred 'illusions') by Eric Lawrence ('Lorenzo') and became an accomplished magician.
In 1959 Jack Robinson was the compere at a variety show on Brighton Pier where he advised up-and-coming magician Ronnie to advertise for an assistant. Ronnie and Evie became Pablo and Eve and moved up the bill, becoming the star of the show, and became engaged. Then Ronnie's mother died, while Evie remained in Brighton where Jack and Evie started an affair. On returning to Brighton, Ronnie and Evie broke off the engagement, but continued to draw in the crowds. By the end of the season Ronnie was now the 'Great Pablo', but the last performance was his greatest show.
Jack and Evie married, fifty years later Jack dies and Evie looks back over her life, specifically the final show on Brighton Pier where she questions about what really happened...
![]() First edition (UK) | |
Author | Graham Swift |
---|---|
Cover artist |
The Birds of America (1827-38) Carolina Parrots John James Audubon |
Language | English |
Genre | novel |
Publisher |
Scribners (UK) Knopf (US) |
Publication date | 2020 |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type | |
Pages | 208 |
ISBN | 1-47-118893-0 |
Here We Are is a novel published in 2020 by English author Graham Swift concerning a magician on Brighton Palace Pier. [1]
At the age of eight, Ronnie Deane was evacuated at the beginning of World War 2 from Bethnal Green to a large house called 'Evergrene' in rural Oxfordshire, where a childless Lawrences looked after him. Ronnie was taught magic tricks (or as he preferred 'illusions') by Eric Lawrence ('Lorenzo') and became an accomplished magician.
In 1959 Jack Robinson was the compere at a variety show on Brighton Pier where he advised up-and-coming magician Ronnie to advertise for an assistant. Ronnie and Evie became Pablo and Eve and moved up the bill, becoming the star of the show, and became engaged. Then Ronnie's mother died, while Evie remained in Brighton where Jack and Evie started an affair. On returning to Brighton, Ronnie and Evie broke off the engagement, but continued to draw in the crowds. By the end of the season Ronnie was now the 'Great Pablo', but the last performance was his greatest show.
Jack and Evie married, fifty years later Jack dies and Evie looks back over her life, specifically the final show on Brighton Pier where she questions about what really happened...