Cultural Impact
Human Punk covers many aspects of the punk scene, from the original music and bands to its DIY ethos. It is also a novel that charts some major shifts in British society, from the failing Labour government of 1977 to Thatcherism in the 1980s (when Joe almost literally ‘gets on his bike’), and finally the New Labour of Tony Blair and a Cool Britannia that means little to those portrayed in the book. Human Punk reflects a version of punk that is anti-fashion, its roots to be found in the broader culture of the main characters.
Human Punk has been praised in both the mainstream media and underground punk scene. It is one of only a few novels that attempt to capture punk and its legacy, a heritage which has become more obvious in recent years with its re-emergence in new generations attracted by the likes of Rancid and Green Day. In 2012 a film adaptation of the novel, by actor Steve North and screenwriter David Schaal, went into pre-production.
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