Welcome to R Peter Davies
About R Peter Davies
Valediction Records is R. Peter Davies’ debut novel.
Currently living in South Liverpool, he is presently working with a scriptwriter and producer on a screenplay of the novel, and has recently begun co-writing a musical, whilst also shaping ideas for his next novel.
Peter was born in Liverpool, the son of a Welsh father and an English mother. After graduating in History at London University, he taught for several years, before going into law and becoming a Crown Prosecutor.
For all of his adult life, he has also been a singer-songwriter, forming the award-winning alt-country band The Good Intentions.
Valediction Records is a bit 19th century romantic. It has a filmic quality.
Ray Connoly – Screenwriter
Funny, edgy and spiritual, this is a heart-warming tale of rock and roll, love and hope
Zoe Lewis, Playwright and Journalist
“Debut novels as engaging as R. Peter Davies’ ‘Valediction Records’ don’t come along every day and so it’s good to note one when it does.
A tale of unresolved business between members of a 70s indie rock band called ‘Generation 27’ (who briefly made it big with enough of an impact to register forever in the memories of true music fans) Davies packs his story with enough twists, turns and colourful characters to keep the reader hooked until the very last page.
Right from the get-go his story of an elderly musician called Martin, an oath signed in blood, a mysterious blue guitar pick and a partly folded over photograph allows Davies to weave an intriguing story that juxtaposes beginnings with ends, all the while pulling threads together to neatly reveal the fate of the missing players in the band.
The characters of Martin, Stephen and Philip in particular are vividly and insightfully drawn, each compelling to observe and each so different that when put together with fourth member, the fiercely independent Emma, it is clear such a powerfully spikey creative collective combination could only ever have been short-lived. Adding great authenticity to his narrative is Davies’ experience as a musician and band member himself. Indeed, after reading his book readers may find themselves lost in old vinyl record stores searching for albums by Generation 27 or other releases on the ’Valediction Records’ label.
An original participant in the ‘Up’ series of documentary films first made by Granada TV in 1964, and which have, every seven years, followed the lives of fourteen people in England who were just seven years old in that first edition, author R Peter Davies told us in that first programme he wished to become an astronaut. In the intervening years he may not have travelled into space but his first book takes us on a journey that clearly shows Peter’s imagination remains as vivid as ever. Recommended.”
Colin Hall – author and journalist
“Sometimes when you read a novel, what draws you in is the ability of the writer to recreate and capture a shared past. It happened to me in Ishiguru’s “Never Let Me Go” – it was like the author was with me at my boarding school in the early 60’s, almost down to the last detail. The same thing happened with Davies novel, Valediction Records. Those of us who were around in the heady days of the early punk rock scene and London undergraduate life of the 70’s will recognise and remember the time. The music, drugs, the art and the anarchy – through the lens of disparity of social class – is all told by Davies with an authentic voice. I recognise it as I was there.
It’s story of four student members of a band, their brief brush with chart fame and their eventual slide into old age 40 years later in an England with its own distinctive feel and problems. I knew those people , shared their joy and their pain. The novel takes us through these two time-lines, the 1970’s and the 2010’s which are intertwined through the lives of Kelly, a carer at the residential home where Martin, the founding band member, now lives. The story also takes in the lives of the other band members, now scattered round the country.
At the heart of the story is the friendship and bonds made in those heady optimistic times. Band members have gone their own separate ways, they’ve slunk out of sight. They’ve faced sadness and tragedy but they made a promise in the early days of the band which is uncovered four decades later in that care home.
The portrayal of Kelly as a young, cash strapped single mother is not only endearing but heartbreaking, as her own story of isolation and loneliness is revealed. It is through the friendship with dementia patient Martin, that the novel delivers its most powerful punch.
The home, run by the eccentric but relatable Norah O’Flaherty, feels like a prison to both Kelly and Martin who form an unlikely relationship.
The novel works because we quickly identify our characters in the alternate time periods and the lost guitar plectrum which ties the timelines together is clever and perfect for the purpose.
As I write this in a period of intense bleakness it’s a story that’s nourishment for the better parts ourselves. It’s optimistic and warm and we all need some of that.”
Claire Lewis – documentary film maker
“Valediction Records is a story about a New Wave rock group, Generation 27, in the late seventies. Then, in modern times, a man is admitted into a care home with a photograph of the band in a frame – but why has someone been folded out of the picture? The man has dementia and the staff want to know more about him. The book shows how music can often reach out when conversation can’t. Valediction Records is a fine read but it deserves to be a TV drama.”
Spencer Leigh – author and journalist
5.0 out of 5 stars A warm, poignant study of the road between our dreams and real life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2024
“This absorbing, sympathetically and authentically written tale of the complex relationships among members of a band captures a time of change and raw emotion right from the heart. The real, intense and sometimes funny interactions wonderfully showcase a different time with all of its own hopes and sensitivities in a way to which readers of any era will relate. Themes of drug use and Alzheimer’s are given a treatment which holds respect and compassion for all, and the author’s skilful use of imagery to pull together the threads of time leaves a lasting impression. There is a delicately done theme of significant moments or snapshots of a journey scenario being aligned with images of time and transition in the environment, which I particularly enjoyed and found highly effective. The storyline holds depth, mystery and human intrigue which keeps the pages turning well into the night. A very impressive debut.”
Ultraviolet (Amazon)
5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2024
“Really enjoyed Valediction Records. Reminded me so much of my experiences in bands from the late 70s onwards, and such poignant reflections on the passing of time. Without giving anything away, I love the way it keeps the reader guessing on some of the main story threads right until the end…”
Andy Callen (Amazon)
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful storytelling with complex characters set in the new wave and punk era
Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2024
“Having come of age during the new wave and punk era, I gravitate towards fiction that accurately captures those frenetic and exuberant times, when a viral international art scene burst to life with great urgency. Davies’ musical and cultural references are spot-on, from The Clash and The Velvets to The Situationists. The cast of characters all have their moments to shine and stumble, though thankfully no one is beyond redemption. Davies reminds us that kindness, compassion and critical distance can help us to heal and become our better selves. Fans of Nick Hornby will find much to appreciate in this notable debut.”
G-ster (Amazon)
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story, wonderfully written.
Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2024
“I’ve spent a lifetime working in bands, my own and with others, and the relationships I’ve had have been some of the most pleasurable and fulfilling but also some of the most contentious and fragile. It seems to come with the territory. Peter captures that beautifully here but goes beyond and tells a lovely story of growing older, maturing, coming to terms with our youthful indiscretions and the realities of aging.”
Rick Shea (Amazon)
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2024
Verified Purchase
“A captivating read!! Wow!! I knew this book was going to be something I liked based on the blurb which caught my attention the minute I read it. Upon diving into this book you’re quickly entrapped within the lives of these former band members and the crazy life that surrounds them. I felt transported back in time into the 70s with the authors amazing and vivid descriptions of how life was like in the past. This is a book that will keep you stuck between its pages, the unique plot line had me hooked from page one and unable to put this down for a second. Davies’ writing style flows seamlessly and the story line is so well thought out. I enjoyed how this book was separated into parts and we get to see the different time lines within these characters’ lives. This coming of age tale will really grip your emotions and have you feeling connected to the characters and rooting for them. Hope to read more by this author in the future!”
Tyler Marsall (Amazon)
5.0 out of 5 stars A Rock and Roll novel with real heart
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2024
“This is a terrific story of youth and ageing over the last fifty years, with music making and the lost members of a band holding the narrative together. Whether you were around to see the seventies or not, this book will take you there; and whether you’ve experienced ageing and dementia or not, this book will take you there too. It’s engaging, moving and while the turns of the plot will keep you reading, the experience and emotion at the heart of it will keep you thinking and feeling. Peter Davies makes splendid music with his band, The Good Intentions. It turns out he has made a splendid novel too.”
Shoan (Amazon)
5.0 out of 5 stars The poignant heart of punk
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 March 2024
“This captures the heart of punk and the thrill of being in a band you thought would change the world. Poignant, funny and heartfelt, I read it in two sittings.”
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully crafted novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2024
“The most striking thing about ‘Valediction Records’ is that I find it very difficult to believe that this is the first novel by R Peter Davies.
It is an exceptionally well-crafted book and, as I read it, I found that it works brilliantly on many levels. The story draws you in. The characters are entirely believable and engaging, and if you were young (ish) in the 70s, in the era of Generation 27, this is definitely one to read. The storyline keeps you intrigued and engaged and it will fill you with nostalgia. In a very good way. Finally, I have to come back to the writing. Valediction Records is incredibly well constructed, and it feels as though no words were wasted, and no words were left out. It really is very good indeed. If you like Nick Hornby, you certainly won’t be disappointed.
One of the best novels I’ve read for many a long year.”
Rich M (Amazon)
“If you enjoy the stories of Nick Hornby, you’re going to love ‘Valediction Records’. I’ve had a ton of positive reactions from listeners too.”
Andy Moore, WORT-FM Madison WI