Edward J Banger is a man obsessed. The drudgery of a nine-to-five job, the pressures of maintaining a healthy marriage and raising teenage girls are unwelcome inconveniences. The real challenge is ticking boxes.
He is determined to win the annual bird race, a competition steeped in history and glory. All he has to do is see more species of birds in the British Isles than anyone else, all within a single calendar year – and he is willing to do anything to win.
Anything.
The Twitch is a viciously funny black comedy with an obnoxious sod as its central character. After accidentally wiping out one element of the competition, Banger begins to see opportunities to get ahead by using the most unlikely tactics. His steady descent into darkness may not be the ideal bedtime story, but you’ll never look at a twitcher the same way again.
More information
Kevin Parr
I am thirty-seven, and took a leap of faith last summer when I quit my nine to five job and the financial security that went with it. Though I have written for many years – as Angling Correspondent to The Idler and having my work featured in Anglers Mail and on the Caught by the River website – I have always wanted to have the time to write a book, and this was my opportunity. The book is almost finished, and I have loved every second of writing it, so much so that I have only fished twice since September – despite having a carp lake just yards from my door.
'If Kev doesn’t write a book before I die, I shall never speak to him again.' So says Chris Yates, author and master angler.
How long will it take for my book to get dispatched?
For books in stock we usually dispatch orders within a few working days. You will receive a dispatch email when your order is on the way.
Where can I get my book delivered to?
We have temporarily stopped taking orders for published books going to EU destinations due to BREXIT restrictions, but we deliver to most other countries worldwide. Enter your delivery address during checkout and we'll display the shipping cost when we know where to send your book. If your country does not appear on the list we are not currently taking orders to that destination.
If I buy an ebook, when will I receive this?
Ebook files are sent via email after checkout, or you can download them from your Unbound account.
Where can I buy a copy if there's none available through the Unbound website?
The book should be available to order from most bookshops, or you can support your local bookshop online by ordering from bookshop.org.
Still have a question? Visit our Help Centre to find out more.
I just wanted to say thank you again to those who have supported me and this project. The Twitch may not have set the world alight, but it is still smouldering and has opened doors that may well have once stayed closed.
Much as I loved (and still love) writing fiction, it is my non-fiction work that has been earning pennies of late. Regular writing for the likes of CountryFile magazine…
27th November 2012Waxwing irruption
This autumn’s Bohemian Waxwing irruption is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in living memory. To anyone left cold by that sentence, please allow me to elaborate.
Each winter, small numbers of starling sized Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulous) make their way from their breeding grounds in northern Russia and Finland and find themselves on our Eastern coastline. Occasionally, when the Siberian…
1st June 2012Second Chapter
February
February 4th 2007 -147 species
The pager has been relatively quiet over the last week or so – plenty of good stuff knocking about, but mostly long-stayers which I can tie in with my weekend routing.
High-pressure has dominated the weather, meaning little wind and little likelihood of anything unexpected showing up and frazzling the pager network.
With this in mind, my weekend route…
30th April 2012Chapter One (again...)
To anyone who missed the email, or those who have pledged since, here is chapter one in all of its unedited glory....
Introduction
How to be a Champion Twitcher – Unabridged by Edward J Banger
Many of you will be aware of my previous published work, How to be a Champion Twitcher (Abridged) – the now valuable, leather-bound first edition of which was published in small volume (100 copies…
13th April 2012Swallows!
Yes! Finally, two swallows have returned to West Compton....
I was starting to get concerned, as I so often do at this time of year - and this is the first year in many that I have had to wait until April (let alone the second week of April) to hear that familiar chatter and allow myself to breathe safe in the knowledge that Spring really has arrived.
I think my attachment to swallows goes back…
1st April 2012April Fools Day
As we near 25%, we ought to do something to mark the milestone - so, all being well, I will send the first draft of chapter one to all those lovely people who have pledged.
In the meantime, do have a look at an interview I did many moons ago for the Idler magazine, with the legend that is Chris Yates. (you have to scroll down a little bit...)
Chris' new book, 'Nightwalk', is due out at the end of…
