Coming of Age

Coming of age uniquely belongs to Colin but can also be seen in Harry Saville. Harry lives vicariously through his second eldest son and Ellen Saville never comes of age; she just ages.

Colin goes through some typical adolescent things: getting in trouble with friends from town; being in charge of his younger brothers when he'd rather be out with a new girl he fancies; his first crush that ends in disaster; a first sexual encounter; surviving school and sports; and the loss of his first true love.

Underpinning all of those experiences is the specter of World War II Britain and its Cold War aftermath, as well as the continued poverty and desolation of the town in which he has lived most of his life. Colin never really "sees" the way he lives or the town in which he lives until he starts dating Margaret...