Second novel by Garston author is a love letter to Watford's past
Soul Objective, by Garston writer Steve Johnson, is a coming-of-age drama set in late 1960s and early 1970s Watford.
Steve's latest novel 'Soul Objective' is available in paperback and e-book. (Image: Steve Johnson) The story follows Joe Holland, a young man whose life takes an unexpected turn after a revelation on his 21st birthday.
Steve said: "Change is so gradual that you barely even notice it, until one day you get to thinking about the places you frequented in your youth and realise that they are all gone.
"For Watfordians of a certain vintage I hope this book will transport them back to a bygone time that no longer exists. But it did once.
"I don't believe in living in the past but it's a nice place to visit.
"When deciding where to locate my story it occurred to me that I'd never read, or even heard of, a novel based in Watford.
"So, I decided to remedy that. It was a good place to grow up, and it probably still is."
Soul Objective follows Joe as he travels from quiet south-west Hertfordshire to the streets of New York in search of answers.
The novel references Watford landmarks like Top Rank, The New Penny, and The Coachmakers Arms.
Read more
Warner Bros. spotted filming in central Watford
Save on puzzles this summer with Wentworth Puzzles
More Harry Potter sets under construction as Leavesden filming ramps up
Steve's debut novel, The Hidden Road Home, is a Second World War story set in St Albans, Harpenden, and RAF Northolt.
He lives in Garston with his son Robert and their rescue dog, Purdy.
Both books are available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Roger Daltrey hits out at axed The Who drummer Zak Starkey for ‘incredibly upsetting' remarks after fallout
The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has said that comments made by the axed drummer Zak Starkey after leaving the rock group were 'incredibly upsetting'. Earlier this year, Starkey, the son of Beatles' legend Ringo Starr, was sensationally sacked from the rock band twice in quick succession. The reasons behind the split have been disputed: longtime Who members Daltrey and Pete Townshend have claimed that Starkey made a mistake during their Royal Albert Hall performance in April, while Starkey has claimed that the error was Daltrey's. Later, the band said the drummer had exited the project willingly due to other commitments, but Starkey claimed he had been asked to agree with the statement, and did not want to leave the group. Starkey told The Telegraph that poor planning and under-rehearsal had led to an onstage glitch, which meant Daltrey came in too early when performing 'The Song is Over'. 'What happened was I got it right and Roger got it wrong,' he said. Addressing Starkey's comments, Daltrey told The Times: 'It was kind of a character assassination and it was incredibly upsetting.' Daltrey stated that the dispute began over the band's use of electronic drums, which he hears through in-ear monitors. 'It is controlled by a guy on the side, and we had so much sub-bass on the sound of the drums that I couldn't pitch,' he explained. 'I was pointing to the bass drum and screaming at [Starkey] because it was like flying a plane without seeing the horizon. So when Zak thought I was having a go at him, I wasn't. That's all that happened.' When asked about the back-and-forth between the group, who reinstated Starkey before sacking him again, Daltrey said: 'Pete and I retain the right to be the Who. Everyone else is a session player. 'You can't replace Keith Moon. We wanted to branch out and that's all I want to say about it. But [Starkey's reaction] was crippling to me.' The Independent has contacted Starkey's representative for comment. Following the dispute, Starkey was replaced by Scott Devours. Starkey told The Independent in June that he had been told not to retrieve his drum kit from storage just yet. 'I don't know what the f*** is happening,' he said. 'The thing is, this is The Who, man. The most unpredictable, aggressive, arrogant people, lovely people who are my family, but you never know what's gonna happen, and that's why it's The Who. They have an addiction to friction.'
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession capped emotional farewell for matriarch Sharon and family: PHOTOS
"We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves," Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councilor Zafar Iqbal said on Tuesday.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
In pictures: Thousands turn out for Pride parade
Hundreds of people danced through the streets of Brighton as thousands more lined the route of the Pride community parade on Saturday morning. Groups from across the city as well as emergency services, charities and sports teams dressed in their best rainbow colours and greeted those waving flags and cheering them on. The parade kicks off a weekend of Pride celebrations including Pride on the Park, headlined by Mariah Carey, and the Pride Street Party in Marine Parade. Led out by a large, flowing pride flag, intricate floats and costumes filled the parade, which began in Hove Lawns. The procession of people along Brighton seafront was soundtracked by samba and steel drums as well floats with speakers roaring out pop anthems. The parade weaved its way through the city centre before turning towards the London Road area of the city and Preston Park, where the Pride on the Park concert takes place. Crowds flock to city for Brighton Pride Why Mariah Carey is such a big deal for Pride Pride pioneer to receive honorary doctorate Revellers later dispersed across the city to celebrate the occasion, the biggest on the city's social calendar. Brighton Pride continues on Sunday, with events across the city. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Brighton Pride 2025: All you need to know Why Mariah Carey is such a big deal for Pride Related internet links Brighton Pride
