Pete Mullineaux has taken the long way round before compiling this debut full collection arranged around themes relating to fathers and fatherhood in particular, as well as male identity in general.

While the focus is primarily on the male, several outspoken female voices are present. The writing overall experiments with a variety of forms and reflects a quirky but challenging personal-politics, laced with a rich irony and humour.

"Keen-eyed and lyrical, this superbly crafted exploration of the male identity is both rich and touching in its honesty and vulnerability. We see the poet reflect on what it means to be a partner, a father and a man who has lost a father. Emotional and tender but also humorous, witty and philosophical, this is a brave collection from a wonderful poetic mind. No hat, no horse, no Marlboro and yet - behold the man."Gerard Hanberry

"Simple, luminous images...Mullineaux's voice carries lilts of John Cooper-Clarke. There are poems here to make one smile, frown, think; the comedian often gives way to a serious poet indeed. A very fine book, then, and beautifully produced."Fred Johnston

Pete Mullineaux grew up in Bristol, UK. His poem 'Harvest Festival', published, aged 13, in Macmillan's anthology Poetry & Song, was subsequently recorded for schools by Harrap on the album Man & His Senses. Living in London in the 'alternative' late 1970s and early '80s - he worked in a left wing printing press and played in a punk rock band The Resisters - recording an album in 1979 on Munich's Trikont records. When the band split he went solo as singer-songwriter Pete Zero, with gigs ranging from two Glastonbury Festivals, CND protests at Greenham Common and Brockwell Park to sharing the stage with such diverse luminaries as the early Pogues and Salman Rushdie. His protest song "Disposable Tissues" in support of CND won the 1986 City of London Poetry/Song contest and he also published a collection of songs under the same title. Adapting to the emerging new comedy and performance poetry scenes he played host for alternative cabaret group New Variety in the Old White Horse in Brixton as well as performing with the London based Apples & Snakes - appearing in their first publication Raw & Biting Cabaret Poetry (1985). Around this time he also achieved a first class honours in drama from Middlesex University, wrote for the Paul Merton-fronted Comedy Wavelength (Channel 4) and a first stage play Wallflowers was produced on the London fringe.