There Were Fairies In Ibiza - Andre Mattar

Hoping to leave his mundane life behind him in 80s Yorkshire, Alfie finds himself living and working on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza. Caught up in a strange world of colourful, eccentric characters, he has a summer of awakening that is a riot of fun, new friendships, and discovery.

From 1960s gay gangsters to an American drag queen and a mysterious Italian Count, the young lad is wrapped in the protective arms of his new extended family, but his naivety gets him mixed up in some nefarious situations.

A family torn apart by wartime ghosts affects him more than he could ever have known, and this coming-of-age story unfolds between the lemon groves of La Casa and the ancient city walls of Dalt Villa in Ibiza town. As Alfie casts off the restraints from his difficult childhood, he soon learns to explore New Romantic and sexual opportunities.

Against a background of iconic eighties music and Alfie's love of his classic cars, the author unapologetically uses language and terms contemporary to the era.

On a return to the island forty years later, will any of the people and places that Alfie knew still be there?

Set amidst the magical backdrop of Ibiza in the 1980s, this is a heart-warming and life-affirming tale of love, laughter and intrigue. It will resonate with anyone who has ever visited the island and captivate those who have yet to experience the magic for themselves.

This could make a lovely film, and the mix of the coming-of-age story, the magical hedonism, the dark secret of Miko's family and the crime storylines has lots of appeal" ...Faber Academy

"This could make a lovely film, and the mix of the coming-of-age story, the magical hedonism, the dark secret of Miko's family and the crime storylines has lots of appeal" ...Faber Academy