Overview

'A window into a time of raw energy and rough edges, Deb Price paints a vivid picture of life in the squats of South London. By turns amusing and alarming, but always engaging, we accompany a teenager as she navigates her way to womanhood in a sub-culture on the margins.' - Allie Rogers, author of Little Gold and Tale of a Tooth A coming-of-age memoir about a young woman living in squats in London in the late 70s during the emerging counterculture scene. Set in South London (Crystal Palace), Deborah mingled with some of the biggest names to emerge from the scene. She booked The Damned's first show, served pints to Johnny Rotten, and attended a backyard gig from King Kurt. Squat life was sex, drugs and punk rock but it wasn't all fun and games. The Peanut Factory shows Deborah navigating a male-dominated scene, moving every few months and living with drug dealers, sex workers, people on the run, and working-class kids like her. Despite the chaos, the squatters were a family. They were kids creating their own rules. Making art. Living life on the fly. The Peanut Factory is an ode to the youthful rebellion of the 1970s and to London itself.

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9781838471941

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Reviews

'Telling journal about the London squat scene in the post punk era. Compelling and disturbing in equal measure - especially the outside toilets.' - Jim Tavaré, comedian, actor, and musician 'A window into a time of raw energy and rough edges, Deb Price paints a vivid picture of life in the squats of South London. By turns amusing and alarming, but always engaging, we accompany a teenager as she navigates her way to womanhood in a sub-culture on the margins.' - Allie Rogers, author of Little Gold and Tale of a Tooth 'An engaging memoir that describes accurately and with great warmth the squatting scene that provided housing for thousands of people and was an important part of the counter culture in the last quarter of the 20th century.' - Christian Wolmar, journalist and author of Cathedrals of Steam 'A beautifully grungy coming-of-age memoir set in the squats of 1970s London. Deborah Price is a gifted storyteller who reminds readers how it feels to be young, broke, uncomfortable and marginalised, but gloriously hopeful and madly in love with life. A must-read for anyone who was there, or wishes they had been.' - Nikki Sheehan, author of Goodnight, Boy 'An evocative and heart-wrenching story, The Peanut Factory journeys deep into the squatland of 1970s Britain.' - Matt Worley, professor of Modern History, University of Reading 'Deborah Price's debut memoir paints a vivid and gritty picture of living in squats around south London in the late 1970s with tales of the harsh living conditions and the many characters she encountered. It's frank and candid which is just how it should be in telling a story that sometimes takes a few tragic turns. Croydon Punk/New Wave music fans will be pleased to hear that the South London band The Damned/Johnny Moped get a mention along with Captain Sensible AKA Ray Burns who she encountered at local music festival. A great read and thoroughly recommended.' - Mark Williams, author of Smash-It-Up

'Telling journal about the London squat scene in the post punk era. Compelling and disturbing in equal measure - especially the outside toilets.' - Jim Tavare, comedian, actor, and musician 'A window into a time of raw energy and rough edges, Deb Price paints a vivid picture of life in the squats of South London. By turns amusing and alarming, but always engaging, we accompany a teenager as she navigates her way to womanhood in a sub-culture on the margins.' - Allie Rogers, author of Little Gold and Tale of a Tooth 'An engaging memoir that describes accurately and with great warmth the squatting scene that provided housing for thousands of people and was an important part of the counter culture in the last quarter of the 20th century.' - Christian Wolmar, journalist and author of Cathedrals of Steam 'A beautifully grungy coming-of-age memoir set in the squats of 1970s London. Deborah Price is a gifted storyteller who reminds readers how it feels to be young, broke, uncomfortable and marginalised, but gloriously hopeful and madly in love with life. A must-read for anyone who was there, or wishes they had been.' - Nikki Sheehan, author of Goodnight, Boy 'An evocative and heart-wrenching story, The Peanut Factory journeys deep into the squatland of 1970s Britain.' - Matt Worley, professor of Modern History, University of Reading 'Deborah Price's debut memoir paints a vivid and gritty picture of living in squats around south London in the late 1970s with tales of the harsh living conditions and the many characters she encountered. It's frank and candid which is just how it should be in telling a story that sometimes takes a few tragic turns. Croydon Punk/New Wave music fans will be pleased to hear that the South London band The Damned/Johnny Moped get a mention along with Captain Sensible AKA Ray Burns who she encountered at local music festival. A great read and thoroughly recommended.' - Mark Williams, author of Smash-It-Up

Author Information

I was born and bred in South London and moved to Brighton in 1986. I have a BA and MA (Film Studies) from the Open University and also taught children's literature there. I have written and co-written six books on early years, mainly focusing on equalities, LGBT issues, leadership and grief and loss in children's lives. The Peanut Factory is my debut memoir. I now live happily by the sea with my partner, where I write, swim and travel.

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