Brian Keaney’s earliest books are no longer in print but you can find them in your library.
Don’t Hang About
Not quite an autobiography, but definitely based on Brian’s own childhood, Don’t Hang About, a collection of linked stories about school life in the 1970s, is his first book. The narrator, whose parents are Irish, grows up in the heart of London and, like most of the children of immigrants, he finds himself caught in a clash of cultures. There are stories about bullying and friendship, injustice and embarrassment, prejudice and kindness. They’re all cleverly constructed and many of them have a surprising twist in the tail. (Age 11 plus)
Oxford, ISBN 0192715321
"Funny, likeable and moving."
The Observer
"Beautifully written."
The Irish Times
No Need For Heroes
This story combines ancient myth with science fiction to create a highly original re-telling of the Minotaur story. It’s told through the eyes of Princess Ariadne of Crete who watches with dismay as her father, King Minos, sets out to conquer all the neighbouring kingdoms. Aided by Daedalus and Icarus, travellers from another time, he builds an extraordinary death machine called the labyrinth. Ariadne longs for a hero to rescue her and when Theseus of Athens comes to the island she thinks she has found him. But she soon learns that all heroes are disappointingly human and if she wants to gain her freedom she will have to rely on her own courage and ingenuity. (Age 12 plus)
Oxford, ISBN 0192716107
"A highly original story with refreshing, distinctly feminist overtones, this excellent work is a welcome book for all those who love the Greek myths."
Publisher’s Weekly
Some People Never Learn
Some People Never Learn is the story of Sean, a school-leaver with no qualifications except a passion for music. When Todd, an old school teacher, provides the money for him to form a pop group, Sean joins forces with Con, a friend from school. With Todd as their manager Sean and Con begin playing gigs all over the area and soon they find themselves making a single. But Con rapidly develops into an ego-maniac with an addiction problem and Sean begins to find out that life in the music business isn’t as glamorous as it looks from the outside.
(Age 13 +)
Oxford 0192715542
"Believable and exciting, it compelled me to read on."
In Brief
If This Is The Real World
Danny was five years old the last time he saw his dad. But he hasn’t forgotten him, or the woman he disappeared with. And when Danny is in a supermarket eight years later and he sees that woman again, standing at the checkout, he recognises her immediately. There are an awful lot of questions Danny wants answered but before he can reach her, she gets in a car and drives away. Danny is bitterly disappointed but at least he knows where she goes shopping. It’s not going to be easy to find her again but Danny is determined. (Age 12 +)
Oxford 0192716611
"If This Is The Real World is an exceptionally fine novel, which is not only witty and hugely entertaining but it is also about a desperately optimistic and particularly moving quest".
Times Educational Supplement
Boys Don’t Write Love Stories
When Dad starts coming home late, smelling of perfume; Mum goes off for the weekend with an old college friend; sister Rachel gets into Animal Rights; and he gets into trouble at school, there is only one person Mathew can turn to: Elizabeth, his girlfriend. Only she doesn’t exist, except in his imagination. He made her up. Why? Well, that’s a long story - you might even call it a love story. But then boys don’t write love stories, do they? (Age 12 +)
Oxford 0192717030
"Boys Don’t Write Love Stories is about real boys and essential reading for girls".
Times Educational Supplement
"Well written, entertaining, amusing and real".
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