CARNABY STREET INCIDENT:

‘Carnaby Street Incident’ is a love story set in the pop music scene during the 60’s,70’s and 80’s in the UK and the USA. It is told in words and music, tracing the physical and emotional journey of the two protagonists as their relationship develops.

Music plays a central role in the novel. It features the lyrics and melodies of 56 original songs that the author wrote and composed. They are recorded at a makeshift home studio and are available to listen on the Music section of this website.

As the narrative evolves embedded in music, themes such as love, melancholy, loneliness and happiness are reflected in the songs that accompany the main characters’ journey. ‘Carnaby Street Incident’ could thus be described as a ‘musical tale.’

In addition to the central love story and the transformative American road trip, the tale so engages with the different cultural backgrounds of the protagonists, British and American.

Time flies, nevertheless our sweet memories stay rooted forever in our hearts.”

Kathleen

‘Music is the ultimate safe haven for our souls.’

Gerry

‘Our situation is now so bad that we cannot afford to be pessimistic.’

Tom

‘To live a happy, harmonious life, love should be our default state of mind.’

Kathleen

‘True love is a deep sensation, heavenly commotion, making life so thrilling,

It is a mystical power, a timeless marvel, we all ought to go through it…’

the Yesenno

‘Don’t wait for a miracle. It may never happen. Just create one yourself!’

Kathleen.

SYNOPSIS

An only child, Julia has been living contentedly in London with her Irish mother, Kathleen. One day Kathleen meets Tom, an executive from Birmingham, and falls in love with him. Tom convinces Kathleen to move to Birmingham to live with him. Julia decides to stay in London. She finds a flat and a job in a department store. However, Julia soon finds herself dissatisfied with her lonely and mundane existence.

Then, Kathleen and Tom die tragically in a road accident. Devastated, Julia goes to Birmingham to sort out her mother’s belongings. She finds her mother’s old photographs, diaries, and letters, from which she learns of her biological father, Gerry. He was one of the founders of the musical group The Yesenno, who were active in the sixties. After the group’s split, Gerry moved to the USA. Julia also learns of the conflicts between her parents, as well as Kathleen’s struggle with her staunchly Irish Catholic family.

Needing a break, Julia travels to the USA. She also hopes to locate her father. In New York, she meets the brother of the other founder of The Yesenno, songwriter and guitarist Alan. He becomes an important clue in her search for her father, Gerry. After a long and eventful road trip from NY to Nashville, Julia finally meets Alan. She soon learns that Alan has lost contact with Gerry. Alan asks Julia to accompany him on a trip to California. Still hoping to find her father, she accepts his proposal. During the trip, Julia learns lots of noteworthy facts about pop music from the 60s and 70s. An attraction between Alan and Julia soon develops, causing them to fall in love with each other, though neither of them dares to reveal their feelings. 

Upon reaching Las Vegas, they learn about her father’s death. Julia arrived almost a year too late. Arriving at their final destination, Los Angeles, Julia meets Alan’s friends Pierce and Emily at their luxury villa. Pierce is a famous musician. Pierce and Alan perform a series of concerts together, and eventually ask Julia to join them. The shows are a success. Meanwhile, Julia learns that her father had been married, and had a son, Soon she meets her half-brother, Lance. This brings her a spark of happiness.

Julia’s stay in the USA has finally come to an end. She reluctantly prepares to return to London. Having fallen head over heels in love with Alan, she finds it painful to leave him, as well as her newfound half-brother, and all the friends she’s made. On her day of departure, Alan surprises Julia by telling her he’ll join her on the first leg of her journey, because he wants to visit his family in New York. Somehow, Alan rushes her through the airport, and it is only when they’re on the plane, that she discovers they are heading in an exciting new direction…