Akenside Syndrome: Scratching the Surface of Geordie Identity - Hardcover

Sharkey, Joe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0992870003 ISBN 13: 9780992870003

Publisher: Jajosa Books Ltd, 2014

Synopsis

Featuring extracts from exclusive interviews with former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall, Tim Healy of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Viz creator Chris Donald and many more, Akenside Syndrome is provocative and outspoken yet an overwhelmingly empathetic book that seeks to free the word Geordie from restrictive stereotypes. Rejecting romanticised renderings from within Tyneside and moronic misrepresentations from without, this unflinching analysis aims to discover what it is about Geordie culture and identity that causes Akenside Syndrome:

'... a condition of feeling ambivalent towards Newcastle or Tyneside despite often retaining a strong emotional bond with and/or sincere affection for the area. A vague sense of unease and feeling of not quite belonging or fitting in is also a common characteristic of the condition.'

Why does Sir John Hall, who coined the phrase 'Geordie Nation', believe that the word Geordie can actually be a hindrance? Why did Chris Donald feel he couldn't call himself a Geordie whilst growing up in Newcastle? Why has AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson insisted that trying to stay in the city after he became famous was the dumbest thing he ever did? What makes Tim Healy think that some Geordies who leave Tyneside are frightened about their accents? And why have Sting and Robson Green talked of a sense of 'escaping' the area? Find out in Akenside Syndrome...

“Provocative but also fair” – Sting

“Truly fascinating… an intelligent examination of what forms Geordie identity” – NARC. Magazine

“It’s refreshing to read a book about Geordie culture that seeks to get beneath the tired stereotypes” – The Crack

Edition details

• Publisher: Jajosa Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0992870003
• ISBN 13: 9780992870003
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 368