About the Book
A tale of socks, drugs and rock-n-roll, How I Set Fire To My Eyebrows has readers 'singeing' their praises! Follow Matthew Thompson's 1980s odyssey as he tries to make sense of the sublime to the ridiculous in this hilarious, tense and sometimes tragic look through the eyes of a yuppie wearing red aviator shades. From a road-trip across America, including narrowly missing a cult evangelist whilst spitting gum from the Empire State Building - to a beach threesome with two Norwegian bombshells that goes terribly wrong (or right) - and a confrontation with Hell's Angels that ends up with the leader nursing a broken nose - this series of nine episodes in a life set to the unmistakeable culture, music and fashions unique to the 80s will have you laughing 'til you cry.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Did I ever tell you about... how I set fire to my eyebrows? Chapter 2 Did I ever tell you about... when I cheated death and was born again - twice? Chapter 3 Did I ever tell you about... how to become irresistible to women? Chapter 4 Did I ever tell you about... how I made a house disappear? Chapter 5 Did I ever tell you about... my beach threesome with two Norwegian nymphs? Chapter 6 Did I ever tell you about... my three-day bus journey across America? Chapter 7 Did I ever tell you about... my brush with Hell's Angels? Chapter 8 Did I ever tell you about... when my sister thought I was Jesus? Chapter 9 Did I ever tell you about... being on mountains and other high places?
About the Author :
On New Years' day 2012 while stuck in bed with 'flu, Martin decided to take a two-month sabbatical from his job as a marketing and event producer to write How I Set Fire To My Eyebrows ( - and other stories from the 1980s). He enjoyed the experience so much that he is currently trying to catch 'flu again to finish the sequel (with a third in the series planned). Following this, he aims to write a series of irreverent children's books for adults. Martin is a guitarist and singer-song writer having written over 25 songs and regularly plays live to help clear pubs after last orders. He has a 19-year old son busking somewhere between here and Greece, and lives at home in Nottingham with his wife (a Russian journalist) and his bi-lingual 5-year-old son, who keeps him young at heart and still playing with Lego.
Review :
SOME READER REVIEWS FROM AMAZON (Not friends or relations of author) ***** (5/5 Stars) "I wish I grew up in the 80s" 29 Jun 2012 By zozo - "It made me laugh-out-loud on a bus full of people - embarrassing yes, but I got a double seat to myself. I hate the phrase "page turner" but it really is! I would've read it all in one go if I had the time. Isons' style is friendly and welcoming without being patronising or unintelligent. It's descriptive enough to really set the mood and grab the reader without going on and on. Funny and at times, very moving and honest. A must read." ***** (5/5 Stars) "Memories!" 19 May 2012 By Wade "This book takes you through a range of emotions, the early part full of humour and witty comments about personal experiences throughout the eighties, through a hair raising trip through America and then some heart breaking moments that have shaped the author's life. I personally recognised some of the venues, having been raised in the Thames Valley which brought the book to life, plus the references to the music of the time which had me reaching for my cd collection! Overall, I would totally recommend this book as I found it a very enjoyable read." ***** (5/5 Stars) "Fantastic!" 12 May 2012 By Kay Wow what a book, I read it all in just three days, I couldn't put it down! It is a fantastic book that made me laugh out loud all the time. At some points it even made me cry! -This book is a must have. I loved it. ***** (5/5 Stars) "Not Don Johnson - The Other one" 25 May 2012 By rockc "A funny, nostalgic view of life in the 80's. Oh how I loved the Don Johnson look-a-likes (sorry Martin). Accurate, artistic and very, very funny. But also touching and sad in places. What a brilliant writer - can't wait to read the next one. Un-put-downable! Did I mention how funny it was?" ***** (5/5 Stars) "Woke Up Laughing!" 24 May 2012 By Philip - "Funny, really funny. Martin Ison brings the 80's back to glorious life for us all to enjoy/envy/regret/forget (cross out as applicable). From the first pages, you are at one with the main character, empathising, wincing, laughing and drooling in parts. The fun and silliness is there for all to see of a decade which brought many things, and a quick doff of the cap to some of todays events does not go amiss. So, if you're fond of XR3i's, a time before smart phones, big shoulders with even bigger heads, crumpled suit sleeves, music for the most you can understand, then this book hits the spot. Alternatively, if you want to see what all the fuss is about, then it will work for you too." **** (4/5 Stars) "Emotional roller coaster ride", 20 May 2012 By Socks - "Back to the 80s, a series of 9 short stories about life. What starts off as a light hearted adventure becomes more serious, and far deeper, as the series goes on. I didn't like Matthew much at first, but he earned my sympathy as the stories continued. If you were there in the 80s, and I was, this book will transport you back there, the references are accurate and memory jolting. Not my usual type of read, but a good read, thought provoking and interesting. It will make you laugh and break your heart. The acid test, yes, I want to know what happens next." **** (4/5 Stars) "Starts well, gets better" 23 May 2012 By baldyhawkins "Aesops fables for modern youth? Perhaps not, they will never listen, but an excellent flashback for those who can remember the 80's. Initially it is difficult to empathise with the main character but as you read on past the initial 'what an idiot' stories you will find yourself engaging more and more with the author and what he has to say. Whatever the intentions of the author, I laughed out loud a number of times and cried once, what more do you want from a novel?" **** (4/5 Stars) "Pure 80s nostalgia and a really good read" 21 May 2012 By Margo "If you are old enought to remember the 80s this is a must read. Pure nostalgia with some added twists and turns along the way. The book is written is short stories nice bite size chapters that can have you up all night saying "just one more, just one more" I loved the characters but initially thought Mathew Thompson and his best mate Mike were real nerds: Driving (posing) around in their White Ford Escorts XR3i with matching accessories including white socks, white loafers and blouson jackets!!Spandau Ballet, Wham and Berlin (remember them) playing on the stereo. As the stories develop though we see Matthews life and personality change radically, he has to grow up and face all the challenges life throws at him, some extremely traumatic - One minute I was crying with laughter the next crying with sorrow for this guy that seems to have more than his fair share of lifes ups and downs. Read the book and enjoy you wont be disappointed." ***** (5/5 Stars) "A nostalgic trip back to the 80s" 19 May 2012 By JEM "This book took me back to the 80s - the music, the politics, the clothes, the hair and the halcyon days of my youth. I found the book nicely written and easy to read, with hilarious asides thrown in. I have to confess it caused my eyes to leak in a couple of places - either from laughing so hard, or from the hopeless and tragic events experienced by Matthew. I liked the character of Matthew Thompson, a bit of a noodle but a thoughtful, sensitive, lovable noodle. Some of the adventures and scrapes he experienced had me laughing loudly. I loved BA - I'm beginning to think I must have actually met him back in the 80s! I loved the characters and the humour of the situations. I also liked the insight into Matthews feelings, all beautifully expressed. I didn't expect this book to be thought provoking, but it had me reflecting on my past too. This book wouldn't normally be on my radar, but I can recommend it - thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to more from Martin Ison."
