Manchester has been labelled as the cultural capital of the North. With countless theatres, music venues and museums, there is something for every aspect of the creative industries. But what about books? Novels set in Manchester take us on journeys that explore working-class experiences, industrial employment and the music scene of the North. Below we round up some of the best.
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
Written some 160 years ago, Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life, tells the story of the daughter of a disillusioned trade unionist who rejects her working-class lover Jem in the hopes of marrying Henry Carson – the mill owner’s son – in order to make a better life for herself. However, when Henry is shot and Jem is placed as the prime suspect, Mary must decide who to side with. The novel highlights the class divides of Manchester during a time of hunger and famine, and the theme of personal tragedy is key throughout this novel and Gaskell’s other famous industrial novel, North and South.
So Happy It Hurts by Anneliese Mackintosh
A collage of Snapchats, receipts, therapy session transcripts, diary entries and emails, this 21st century novel explores Ottila McGregor’s attempts to stop drinking, find a nice boy and move to a place where she is so happy it hurts. Similar in theme to Fleabag and Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love, we root for Ottila despite her troubles, and perhaps see parts of ourselves in this novel for modern women.
The Curry Mile by Zahid Hussain
Set in the early 2000s on the famous Wilmslow Road, Hussain’s debut novel tells the story of female icon Sorayah as she returns to the family restaurant after breaking up with her non-Muslim boyfriend and enters a conflict with her elderly father. The dialogue switches between Pakistani and Mancunian – highlighting the cultural cross-overs of the city and the variety of communities and histories that overlap in such a major city.
The Gangs of Manchester by Andrew Davies
If you enjoy Peaky Blinders, this history book tells the story of the Scuttlers, youth gangs on the streets of Manchester and Salford that emerged from the industrial areas in the 1870s. Using found sources such as court reports and newspaper articles, Davies pieces together the lives of the boys in these gangs, and their 30 years of terror that reigned down on the streets of the city.
The Adult by Joe Stretch
Musician and performer Joe Stretch’s third novel tells the story of Jim Thorne, a 30-year-old reflecting on his teenage years in the 1990s and early 2000s in Manchester, and the music scene that surrounded him. Britpop, football and Harry Potter all play a role in the backdrop of Jim’s adolescence as he wonders how someone destined for rock stardom ended up working in a smoothie bar. This coming-of-age story highlights Britain during a time of political change, but the main focus is on the personal experiences of one young boy.
Books set in Manchester are varied in terms of genre and themes – allowing the authors to write about so many different people. With Manchester as a backdrop, many authors have found their success writing about the lives of those who live and work in the city, in the present era or in the past. With writers discussing music, violence and forbidden love, there is something for every student to enjoy.