Welcome to the latest of our alumni bookshelf features, where we celebrate the creative endeavours of our alumni and the power of the written word.

In this feature we take a look at the work of Jonathan Squirrell (MA Creative Writing, 2019), whose book Dead Man Talking takes a comedic look at what it means to be human, and what it means to be a monster. We also take a look at the work of Madeleine Wilson (BSc Chemistry, 1966), whose book Elvis Presley Gospel Singer – An Inspirational life looks at the work of the King of Rock and Roll from a Christian, religious perspective.

If you are interested, you can find the books for purchase using the links below:

Dead Man Talking – Jonathan Squirrell

Elvis Presley Gospel Singer – An Inspirational Life, by Madeleine Wilson

Dead Man Talking by Jonathan Squirrell

For the dead man talking, each death is only a new beginning – as long as someone can be relied upon to donate enough blood to bring him back to life. But it’s hard to fit in when you’re legally dead, and a youth marred by constant reinvention has made relationships and employment seem futile. Unable to gain a foothold in the real world, he begins to question what it means to be human, to be a monster, and to exist.

Offering a fresh and frequently hilarious take on immortality, Dead Man Talking is the story of one man’s many lives: from a hedonistic quest to determine whether pleasure alone can bring fulfilment, to a wayward journey of discovery with the self-styled King of the Goths. At the point of giving up, he finally comes to understand the meaning of life – but nothing is without cost, and his genetics will not allow him to escape his fate.

About the author

Jonathan Squirrell grew up in Whitby. He has written scripts performed in village halls, and song lyrics sung on BBC Radio 4. In 2020 The Last Supper Club was selected to appear in an anthology compiled by the WRITE festival, and in the same year Becoming Familiar was released as a pamphlet by Wild Pressed Books.

Jonathan has worked at the University of Hull since 2010. In 2016 he had the idea for a novel, and began a part-time MA in Creative Writing. The guidance from tutors, feedback from peers, and structure of the course were hugely beneficial to the development of the book. The final piece of advice from staff was to finish the novel, and publish it. Six years later, here it is.

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Elvis Presley Gospel Singer – An Inspirational Life, by Madeleine Wilson

In many ways, the life story of Elvis Presley can be seen as one of tragedy, but I would maintain that it is a story of triumph. It is certainly one of triumph over adversity in the material sense as Elvis, who was born in a two-room cabin in Mississippi, USA, lived in relative poverty until he shook, rattled, and rolled his way into fame and fortune in the mid-nineteen fifties. He lived to see his childhood dream of buying a big house and cars for his parents come true.

The news of his demise, in 1977, at the age of 42 sent shock waves around the world, though many who were close to him, on reflection, commented that they had begun to notice that he was not well. Tragic was a word accurately used to describe the lead up to, and the circumstances, of his death.

Elvis was brought up in the Bible Belt of the USA, where praying, praising God and discussing spiritual matters was not only for church meetings but was also part of many people’s everyday lives. That was certainly the case with the Presley family and their friends. Consequently, Elvis knew his Bible well and was taught at an early age to pray and trust in God. There is no doubt that his first flush of fame took him off the narrow path. He however, always acknowledged that his voice was a gift from God. In later years as he matured and began to reflect on his purpose in life, he became convinced that he was to use his voice to sing of God’s love and goodness and mercy. He had many times in his later years expressed his desire to perform a full gospel concert, and I understand that at the time of his death, plans were in hand for this to happen.

In this book, distilled from over 25 years of research since I became an Elvis fan in 1995, I explore Elvis’ love of gospel, both the music and the message, his spiritual journey, and the continuing worldwide inspiration that he and the songs he sang have had, and still have, on the lives of people today. I also suggest the source of this inspiration.

As you join me in journeying through Elvis’ life, you will see the influence and impact he had, not only on his family, friends and entourage, his fellow musicians, management, and fans, but also complete strangers.

The book looks at Elvis’ life, particularly his Christian faith and the inspiration that he has been, and still is, to so many people. There is no doubt that Elvis is an enigma, but hopefully this book clarifies a side of Elvis that is often neglected. I believe it is a ‘good read’ which will be a revelation to many and, I hope, a blessing to all.

About the Author

Madeleine Wilson was born in 1944 in the village of Cottingham in East Yorkshire, England.

Being an only child, she had quite a sheltered upbringing, but not so sheltered that she did not listen to Elvis’ records as a teenager, though she was not a fan at the time. Being of a curious mindset, she was very interested in science and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Hull University. She then went on to engage in research at ICI Ltd in Harrogate, followed by training to become a teacher, after which she taught Chemistry and Maths in the local college and schools.

Whilst in Harrogate she met and married James Peter Wilson, a textile technologist. They produced three children: Marina, Hannah, and Aaron, and now have five grandchildren.

Madeleine became a fan of Elvis Presley when she watched some of the TV programmes in January 1995 which were aired to celebrate his 60th birthday. After watching the programmes, she wept for a week. It was such a strong experience, that she prayed and asked the Lord what it was all about, and felt led to start researching into Elvis’ life, discovering that not only was he brought up as a Christian, but that he was called to be an evangelist.

During her research, she has been privileged to meet members of Elvis’ family and friends and musicians who understood his spiritual yearnings, and she began to understand this simple yet complex man whom she never met. She also began to understand his calling, something which is a continuing story. It is a story of dreams, hopes, passion, disappointment, and ultimate victory.

To share her stories of Elvis with others having the same interest, she started the Elvis Gospel Fan Club in 1998, with her husband, organising several Elvis Gospel events both in the UK and the USA. She also produced a booklet, “Prayers of Elvis,” in 2002.