Your Show, by Ashley Love-Hickinson
From the commonwealth of Jamaica to a part of the empire, Sheffield, Uri rises through the league as a sought after referee.
Along the way, he encounters prejudices, discrimination, contention for his job in the sport and his identity on show for the arrogant and loud droves. His every move is picked apart, criticised, insulted and more. The perfect punching bag for the disappointed team fan after they lose.
Lyrical and inventive!
Your Show is poetic novel which delves into one man’s efforts to make his mark and perhaps blaze a trail for those in his wake.
In rich tapestry of identity, belonging and success, we see that against the odds he surely owns his show. And while Ashley Hickson-Lovence’s book isn’t about Rennie's legacy, not directly, it does strongly though subtly invite you to reflect on the complete lack of BAME (Black and minority ethnic) representation in positions such as his in major league sports. Over thirty percent of athletes and footballers are BAME, but as part of the collective, they fade into the name of the team, emerging only when they have outperformed at super invincible levels, or equally when the team as failed and the mourning angry fandom needs to point fingers.
Told in short stanzas of a 2nd person narrative, this story pin drops you directly in the midst of the action, to experience it at life-like levels.
The wordplay keeps you hanging on to each brilliant, well-placed phrase and adjective, capturing the repetitive nature of football matches and yet the distinct aura your derive from each game. A complex story entirely layered in the provocation of the senses through smell and and sight and emotions...every emotion.