* Five Year Sentence

Danny's first day as an apprentice painter on a Northern Irish housing estate was nothing if not different. Taggert the foreman, Loppy, Dick, Bluebottle, Herbert and the homosexual leering Curly, not to mention the mad hatter Slammy, and the exotic pointing disease of Sammy, plus many others of the 'troop' welcomed him with varying degrees of tolerence.

A Catholic lad like Danny had to keep a cool head on his shoulders and a quick wit to rub along with his Protestant and Catholic work mates - especially since his girlfriend was also a Protestant.

"What's yer name, boy! What's yer name? Danny thought frantically for a good Protestant surname " Ah...Danny, Danny." And then it came to him in a flash. The most famous name in Protestantdom "Cromwell!" he blurted

Michael Downes' first novel is a brilliantly funny portrayal of the Irish community at work. Overall the unconscious Irish humour and commitment while rumbling sectarianism is never far beneath the surface. From Michael's skilful use of the vernacular we learn about the characters, not from their physical descriptions but from what they say and do.

Born In Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 1950, Michael Downes at 15 did a "Five Year Sentence" as an apprentice painter, where he was not so much introduced to the real world but thrown amongst it. Here he experienced the rich tapestry of Irish workmen, their beliefs, fears and....finally love.

At age 20 he escaped (to use his own words) to Australia, where he lived an nomadic lifestyle for seven years, writing poetry and short stories, before settling permanently in Victoria. He resides in Melbourne with his three children.

OFFICAL PUBLICATION DATE 11th APRIL 2005