Project Description
Cover, The Mumper by Mark Baxter.
It is 1985 – Thatcher in power, Sade on the radio, print workers on strike, Live Aid and mullet hair dos on the street. Into all of this, come seven men… Thimble, Gudger, Dave, Fred The Shoe, O’sh, Alfie and Bax.
These fella’s meet for free flowing banter and alcohol of the highest quality every Sunday. On one of these Sunday’s, something strange occurs. A man approaches their table and asks them if they want to buy a horse. From that simple but surreal question unfolds the story of The Mumper, the tale of seven firm friends who embark on a unique journey.
The novel is set against the backdrop of South East London during the Wapping strikes. The central character is a print man on the picket line, who over a chance encounter, comes into the possession of a racehorse. Based on a true story, the film takes place around the central character’s home, in the pubs and streets around the Walworth Road.
First published in 2007 by Mono Media Books, the book was repressed in 2011 by Orion Publishing Co.
The Mumper was turned into feature film ‘Outside Bet’ in 2012, starring Bob Hoskins and directed by Sasha Bennett. The film secured a UK-wide release in theatres and is distributed through Universal Pictures.
