Clive Parker-Sharp

ConeBoy Clive Parker-Sharp

A semi-autobiographical novel spawned in London's grimy 1970's bedsitland; Likeable young junkies, Elsbeth and Django's 'holistic' home-birthing goes badly wrong, and the resultant severely disabled progeny is likened to young 'Elephant Man'. The 'Redtops' lap up the story, and baby is christened by them, 'ConeBoy', due to its deformity. The child's monstrosity grows exponentially, in a bubble of surgery, drugs, and media. Behind the glow of world-attention surrounding ConeBoy's distorted physiognomy a family is transformed; allegiances, friendship and societal barometers of physical beauty, disability and normality are fractured. Celebrity-vs-talent is dubitable, and feeds the core of this hard-hitting and explosive family saga. ConeBoy is a human logo, a caricature, a brand, to gripping effect.