Prodigal Child [Hardcover]

E. David Moulton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

Fact and fiction converge in this uplifting new novel which chronicles the life of English songwriter Eddie Connor. Much of the story takes place in England during the 1950s on the tough streets of London's East End, an area of high crime and police corruption. Eddie is part of the first generation of teenagers after World War II. They wanted to be heard and noticed, so they created their own fashions and took the music from America half a world away and made it their own-first jazz, then rock-n-roll and the blues. This was the generation that gave birth to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and what was later referred to in America as the British Invasion.

Prodigal Child is the story of a talented young singer-songwriter who might have been part of the "Invasion" but for certain twists of fate in his early years. In later years, he is able to put the past behind him and become a successful artist and businessman, eventually returning to his first love: music. And to the glory that eluded him during the 1960s.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

From the very first page, Prodigal Child grabs your attention with a vise-like grip and doesn't loosen it even after you've finished the last page. E. David Moulton's deft storytelling abilities shine as he details the life of Eddie Connor. With the inclusion of several of Moulton's original song lyrics, Prodigal Child is a must for music lovers, as well as those who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s.

About the Author

E. David Moulton. Born in Surrey, England just south of London, In his early twenties he lived in the East End of London, the area he writes of in his book. David emigrated to The United States in 1979. He has lived in New Jersey just outside New York City and on the West Coast, San Diego, Los Angeles and Eugene, Oregon. He has now moved back to the East Coast and lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife Kathy.

David has been a songwriter for many years. Prodigal Child is his debut novel. It is no surprise that the story is about a songwriter and his song lyrics have become part of the book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Moomin Books (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972669345
• ISBN-13: 978-0972669344
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,803,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Rock and Roll; Surprising Spiritual Journey, August 27, 2003

By 

E. L. Smith (Charleston, SC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prodigal Child (Hardcover)

From Great Britain to the U.S., E. David Moulton's modern day, Rock and Roll combination of Mark Twain adventures and more subtle learning experiences spans five decades and is fast moving with creative twists and surprising spiritual turns. Main character Eddie Connor breaks into boyhood at full force dealing with the World War II bombing of London and an abusive, emotionally distant father while still managing to enjoy Tom Sawyer-like antics on the Thames and around town.

Moulton's unassuming, straight forward style of writing fills the pages with matter of fact points and clearly defined characters who are funny, artistic, and sometimes detestable. Eddie is a thinking man learning not to think too much. He is a passionate soul trying not to teeter too far over the edge into self destruction. His reasons and chosen paths are well explained and his fate is not always what he has in mind. His "less traveled" roads lead him away from the explosion of the music scene in which he is a natural leader and into much seedier worlds he never dreamed he'd have to be a part of.

Moulton conjures several believable guides along the way who not only come to Eddie's aid but are strong, peaceful reminders of what most of us naturally seek-a reason to be, a way to make a difference, and an inner peace.

The song lyrics throughout the book are not only entertaining and catchy but serve a non-superfluous purpose by adding to the plot's general flow. Though the main medium is music beginning before the famous "British Invasion" and continuing for decades
beyond, the main character has the ability to fade from one art form only to become prolific at another, which leads to the question, "Aren't all creative endeavors ultimately connected?" Moulton seems to think so and to prove so in his novel. As an author, he seems to be a believer in transcending 21st century popular sensationalism to embrace the desires and acccomplishments of a regular person with talent and dreams. However, there is no lack of imagination.

Eddie's accomplishments and mistakes are those of a hero and a human. He is fallible yet teachable. He is ten parts angry, emotional, and unrealistic in his expectations and ninety parts driven to become better in every way. In other words, he is the
characterization of a true artist. It is a pleasure to watch him cling to his expectations and to witness the creative influences and timing that shape this boy into a man.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haven't read a book this good in about three years., August 14, 2003

By 

Jed Moulton (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prodigal Child (Hardcover)

I bought this book out of curiosity because I am a musician and share the same last name as the author. It turned out to be one of the best books I have read in a long time. I can highly recommend it. The story of an English songwriter is riveting and holds the reader's attention page after page. I stayed up way past my bedtime on many occasions because I could not put it down. It reminded me a little of "Angela's Ashes" in the early part of the book but nowhere near as depressing. In fact this is an uplifting book that left me with nothing but good feelings. Dialogue is especially good and the authors use of the various English dialects is not overdone and is made easy for the American reader. It adds charm to the characters, as does the humor, which often comes in tense moments when you least expect it. Without giving away any of the book's secrets I will say I loved the ending and as I finished the last page and closed the book I said "wow" and sat there for a few minutes basking in the experience. Not too many books have had that effect on me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Thumbs Up, September 5, 2004

By 

R. Rollins (Missouri City, Tx) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prodigal Child (Hardcover)

This book defies categorization - it is a study of pop culture, a journey into spiritual awakening, a real world drama with an autobiographical context and a look deep into the culture of post-war England. What captured and held my attention in the book were the spiritual messages and the main character's roller-coaster ride from non-believer to believer. The descriptions of Eddie Conner's pain and suffering tugged at my heart. The characters in this book are both complex and believable. The era is captured in stark details. For some strange reason, while reading this book the images in my mind were never in color, always black and white. Prodigal Child will appeal to would-be musicians or those who have entertained dreams of being a musician as well as those who have learned the hard way how difficult life can be. The author writes in a direct style that shows a determination to take you with him on his quest to paint a rainbow.