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The Who guitarist Pete Townshend announces debut novel titled 'The Age of Anxiety'

Book set to be released in November

Clémence Michallon
New York
Wednesday 06 March 2019 13:47 EST
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Pete Townshend attends Symfunny No 2 at The Royal Albert Hall on 19 April, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.
Pete Townshend attends Symfunny No 2 at The Royal Albert Hall on 19 April, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. ((Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images))

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Pete Townshend, the celebrated guitarist of The Who, is set to release his debut novel later this year.

Details of the forthcoming book were revealed on Tuesday by Hachette Book Group, which will be publishing the novel on 5 November, 2019.

Titled The Age of Anxiety, the book will be Townshend's first foray into the novel format.

The musician is already a published author and notably released the short story collectionHorse's Neckin 1985, as well as the memoirWho I Amin 2012.

Townshend's forthcoming novel is classified on Hachette's website as psychological fiction.

A description on the publisher's platform reads: "In his debut novel, rock legend Pete Townshend explores the anxiety of modern life and madness in a story that stretches across two generations of a London family, their lovers, collaborators, and friends."

Townshend told the Associated Press in a statement that he hopes to turn the story told in his book into a greater body of work – a project that calls to mind the ambitious rock opera Tommy released by The Who in 1969.

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“Ten years ago I decided to create a magnum opus that would combine opera, art installation and novel,” Townshend said.

“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.”

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