Mayflies is a rather touching tale about the wonder of male friendship.  Not perfect, but not rubbish by any means.  If you are after a bit of 1980s Manchester and indie music nostalgia, then the first part of this book is for you. 

The problem is though that the much darker second half is not as strong as the first. The debate about assisted dying is one worthy of exploration. However, I was never intensely moved like I had suspected I would be prior to reading.     

Starting in a small Scottish town in the mid-to-late 1980s, we fondly get to know the lives of two best friends called Tully and James.  In their late teenage years, these two boys share a love of indie music and movie line quotes.  With respect to the latter passion, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, being a particular favourite of theirs.   

The author clearly no fan of 80s Thatcherism, shows how the escapism of music was vital to the existence of so many young people back then in Britain.  With a group of friends our two protagonists decide to go and have a weekend of indie music heaven in Manchester.

Their Manchester escapades did get a tad tedious in places though.  It was too drawn out.  Admittedly, bits were interesting and entertaining to read.  Nevertheless, if one is honest, then other parts verged on the slightly corny.

The second part picks up the action again in the Autumn of 2017.  One of the characters is dying and so the topic of euthanasia is what the entire narrative is then shaped around.  It must be acknowledged as well as praised, that both viewpoints are covered i.e., for and against. However, by the end I think it is very easy to deduce what position author Andrew O’Hagan holds.

Having earlier criticised this second half for not being intense enough, undoubtedly though the friendship of Tully and James is a touching aspect throughout.  It made me think for example, of the close male friendships that I have in my life.  

Overall, this is a thought provoking read, without ever being an immensely captivating one.  I thought by the time I turned the last page, then I would be a blubbering wreck. I was not though much to my surprise. 

Brilliant 80s Manchester nostalgia, but this got diluted by it becoming a book essentially about assisted dying.  A good read, without it ever being an amazing one. I wanted more emotion, I wanted more tears, and ultimately I wanted to care more about them by the end. 3/5.