Having already reflected on his life in 2012 autobiography Who I Am, the Who's Pete Townshend has announced the release of his debut novel.
Titled The Age of Anxiety, Townshend's latest is set to arrive November 5 through Hachette Book Group/Coronet Books. Set in London, the book is said to chronicle "the anxiety of modern life and madness in a story that stretches across two generations of a London family, their lovers, collaborators, and friends."
In a statement, the Who guitarist revealed the novel is the first instalment of a three-part Age of Anxiety project that also includes an art installation and an opera. No release dates have been set for the second and third parts of the project.
"Ten years ago I decided to create a magnum opus that would combine opera, art installation and novel," Townshend explained. "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."
Of The Age of Anxiety, Coronet publisher Mark Booth offered in a statement, "The novel captures the craziness of the music business and displays Townshend's sly sense of humour and sharp ear for dialogue," adding that the work "is an extended meditation on manic genius and the dark art of creativity."
Townshend is no stranger to the literary world. In 1977, the guitarist founded publishing house Eel Pie Publishing for books and music production. He joined London publisher Faber and Faber in 1983 as an acquisition editor, which led to him publishing a collection of short stories titled Horse's Neck in 1985.
Musically, Townshend is set to hit the road with the Who later this year as part of the group's "Moving On!" symphony tour. The band are also planning to release a new album this year.
Titled The Age of Anxiety, Townshend's latest is set to arrive November 5 through Hachette Book Group/Coronet Books. Set in London, the book is said to chronicle "the anxiety of modern life and madness in a story that stretches across two generations of a London family, their lovers, collaborators, and friends."
In a statement, the Who guitarist revealed the novel is the first instalment of a three-part Age of Anxiety project that also includes an art installation and an opera. No release dates have been set for the second and third parts of the project.
"Ten years ago I decided to create a magnum opus that would combine opera, art installation and novel," Townshend explained. "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."
Of The Age of Anxiety, Coronet publisher Mark Booth offered in a statement, "The novel captures the craziness of the music business and displays Townshend's sly sense of humour and sharp ear for dialogue," adding that the work "is an extended meditation on manic genius and the dark art of creativity."
Townshend is no stranger to the literary world. In 1977, the guitarist founded publishing house Eel Pie Publishing for books and music production. He joined London publisher Faber and Faber in 1983 as an acquisition editor, which led to him publishing a collection of short stories titled Horse's Neck in 1985.
Musically, Townshend is set to hit the road with the Who later this year as part of the group's "Moving On!" symphony tour. The band are also planning to release a new album this year.
