The Darlings of Soho — David Barnett

This novel explores love, sexuality, and race. Four bombs have gone off in central London. One of those is at Kings Cross. The story opens with the desolate streets of Soho and the knowledge that the two lead characters, Greg and Martina have been speeding towards an uncertain destiny. They have arranged to meet at Kings Cross that very morning. You the reader have no idea what will happen to them, as you are taken through the months leading up to that one point in time. We have two relationships running in parallel; one hetrosexual white couple (adrift) and one homosexual black couple (living on the edge of their community) As the connection between the lead characters becomes increasingly charged, there is the danger that it may ignite and if it does the fall out out may well destroy all of their lives. Love is the one thing that unifies the characters in their journey towards a greater understanding of life, themselves, and each other. This book takes you the reader on a roller coaster of emotion; frank in it's portrayal of the very feelings and actions at the centre of the human condition.