A former teacher turned successful author has talked about how his brilliantly-written new novel was inspired by the life of Nidderdale and its incredible traditional butchers.

Set, initially, in a Yorkshire Dale village in the 1970s when Michael and Jack are 12 years old, The Butcher Boys by Chris Gill tells the gripping story of two best friends whose friendship over the years is tested as Britain goes through challenging and changing times itself as a nation.

In particular, they are affected by the fierce rivalry that develops between their two respective butchers’ shops.

Raised in the wild air of Wharfedale, Chris also lived in Pateley Bridge for a few years in the early 2000’s and so was able to draw on the communities, language and landscape of the Dale whilst writing The Butcher Boys, his second published novel.

Pictured in Pateley Bridge is author Chris Gill whose novel The Butchers Boys is set in the Dale and published by Thirsk-based Fisher King. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Pictured in Pateley Bridge is author Chris Gill whose novel The Butchers Boys is set in the Dale and published by Thirsk-based Fisher King. (Picture contributed)

Praised by the UK’s biggest selling regional magazine, The Dalesman, which compared the book to the works of James Herriot and Julia Chapman, Chris Gill says his impressively drawn portrait of the character of the Dales is inspired by his own experiences but isn’t tied to anyone specific.

"The characters in his novel are purely fictional and are not in any way portrayals of real people,” said Chris.

Published by Thirsk-based Fisher King, the novel is selling well in bookshops across the Dales and was the bestselling book at Paper People Books bookshop in Pateley Bridge.

The Butcher Boys is on sale in bookshops now and from Amazon.

More information: https://www.fisherkingpublishing.co.uk/