Former Strabane social worker to launch new book, ' What Peter Knew'

FORMER Strabane social worker James Simpson’s 1950s coming of age story, ‘What Peter Knew’ has been published by Colmcille Press.

This is his third publication, and second novel.

Reared in the Castlereagh Hills, he enjoyed a secure and happy childhood between the city and the country, and went on to study at Queen’s, only to return after a career in Social Services, to The Seamus Heaney Centre, after retirement, to undertake an MA in creative writing.

It is perhaps no coincidence then that his young protagonist Peter Curry was born into a single parent household on the margins of society.

In the late seventies James set up the Strabane One Parent Family Association.

Recalling the warmth with which he was received by the group he also remembers the challenges faced by women rearing families on their own, the economic pressures and very often the lack of social support.

“It’s a long time ago,’ he says, “but I believe we lobbied directly Lord Melchett, the Minister of State for Northern Ireland, for child care resources,” he says.

“Perhaps that had something to do with the development of the Strabane Family Centre, which is still providing a terrific service, now under the auspices of Barnardos, and formerly of Save the Children..”

In this Belfast novel he explores life at the edge for Peter Curry, a bright, but disadvantaged boy who feels a huge sense of responsibility for his beautiful but vulnerable single mother, Vivienne.

The book has been praised by prize-winning Sion Mills poet and memoir writer, Maureen Boyle.

“Wholly absorbing. I loved it,” she says.

Up against it from the word go, of jeopardy there is aplenty, but we also have a sense of his inner strength.

As with James’ first novel ‘True Colours’, you find a wide cast of colourful characters and a profound sense of place.

“I love vernacular language,” he says.

The period is one of austerity but also the passing of old assumptions, the building of dual carriageways.

The beginning of space exploration. It is also a time of eroding childhood for Peter and his dependent side kick, Billy Peden, as their newt dam is bulldozed out of existence to make way for houses.

Time is on a relentless march.

About to sit the Eleven Plus, Peter is called upon to cope with being taken into care, bigotry, extreme fundamentalism and class discrimination, yet the writing brims with humour, sometimes verging on the surreal.

Ultimately it is a novel of hope.

The cover, designed by Derry artist, Bridget Murray, shows a thoughtful Peter at the end of the book, sitting on a wooden fence, gazing down at the city of his future and dreams.

Edge Hill winning writer and novelist, Bernie McGill, describes it as: ‘An absolutely cracking read.”

Martina Devlin says it’s “funny, poignant, uplifting and vividly conjuring up a child’s world.”

‘What Peter Knew’ is available in Waterstones, Little Acorns Derry and from Colmcille Press.

The book will be launched in Strabane Library on Wednesday, November 4 at 11am.

James will be in conversation with Maureen Boyle, with the launch promising to be an intimate and relaxed event with plenty of time for readings and questions.