Coronet publishing Pete Townshend’s debut novel, The Age of Anxiety

Pete Townshend’s ‘magnum opus’ debut novel, The Age of Anxiety, will be published globally in November 2019 by Coronet, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton. Publisher Mark Booth acquired English language rights for the novel. Pete is also developing The Age of Anxiety into an opera, and is known for his pioneering rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia with band The Who.

The Age of Anxiety is a great rock novel, but that is one of the less important things about it. The narrator is a brilliant creation – cultured, witty and unreliable. The novel captures the craziness of the music business and displays Pete Townshend’s sly sense of humour and sharp ear for dialogue.

Pete said: “Ten years ago I decided to create a magnum opus that would combine opera, art installation and novel. Suddenly here I am with a completed novel ready to publish. I am an avid reader and have really enjoyed writing it. I am also happy to say the majority of the music is composed, ready to be polished up for release and performance. It’s tremendously exciting.”

Booth said: “The Age of Anxiety is a great rock novel, but that is one of the less important things about it. The narrator is a brilliant creation – cultured, witty and unreliable. The novel captures the craziness of the music business and displays Pete Townshend’s sly sense of humour and sharp ear for dialogue. First conceived as an opera, The Age of Anxiety deals with mythic and operatic themes including a maze, divine madness and long-lost children. Hallucinations and soundscapes haunt this novel, which on one level is an extended meditation on manic genius and the dark art of creativity.”

The opera version of The Age of Anxiety is in development, with an album and art installation to follow.