The Disappearance Boy

‘Neil Bartlett's ability to vividly evoke hidden lives is uncanny.’ JAKE ARNOTT

Set in the year of the late Queen’s coronation, and in the world of variety theatre, Bartlett’s fourth novel, tells the story of a small man’s triumph over a Goliath. Originally released by Bloomsbury, it gained him a nomination for Stonewall Author of the Year 2014; this new edition includes a Foreword by the author, and an Afterword with world famous illusionist, Derren Brown.

1953 — The backstreets of Brighton are buzzing with preparations for the celebrations of the Coronation of Elizabeth II and, at the Grand Theatre, illusionist Teddy Brookes is plotting something crowd-pleasing to crown the occasion—with some assistance from glamorous Soho showgirl Pamela Rose. What the audience can never see is that, hidden behind the smoke and mirrors of his act, there is a whole world of secrets and lies… And a disappearance boy.

In his acclaimed fourth novel, Neil Bartlett once again performs his trademark trick of slipping into the hidden spaces of queer history and bringing them vividly to life. Originally published in 2013, this new edition includes an introduction by the author and an Afterword with world-famous illusionist, Derren Brown.