Chiswick Local Turns Back The Clock With Paperback Release

Alan Bignell's book tells of his return to Montreal home after 51 years

Back in March local author Alan Bignell published his memoir 'The year I became Al' as an e-book.

This week he is launching the paperback version to tell the story of his first memorable 12 months in Montreal, Canada to a wider audience.

Over the past six months, Alan's considerable efforts to promote the e-book have included a visit to Canada, a radio interview on BBC Saturday Live and widespread social media support from the likes of the Canadian High Commission. The latter has congratulated him on his book.

Another surprising outcome is that a local resident who was in Montreal at the same time as Al has been in contact.

However, during this time he realised some older potential readers were being put off by the book's digital format.

Alan believes the paperback version will address this problem and enable readers of all ages to enjoy his 1968 voyage of discovery in the New World.

The year I became Al is available on Amazon as both an e-book and a paperback at £3.99 and £5.99 respectively.

The story tells how Al took a trip down memory lane to a house in Canada where he lived 51 years ago. The visit to the house in St Catherine Street West, Montreal, that he shared with a group of four young English people, made local news in the Westmount Independent earlier this year.

Alan's visit was recorded by a photographer who matched a 1968 photo of him sitting on the porch steps accompanied by his housemates, with the same pose, but this time with his wife, Arlene, and the present owner.

As a young man, Alan Bignell lived in Montreal for two years, sharing a house built in 1899 with four other young people from the UK. On this return trip, he was visiting Canada to promote his recently published book, ‘The year I became Al.’ which retraces his first year in North America.

While visiting Montreal, he discovered the house was still standing and because of its age now enjoys heritage status. The present owner, Vincent, was delighted to show Alan around the house which, although completely refurbished, was still recognisable from half a century ago.

Image - copyright Alan Bignell

The resulting article in the Montreal paper aroused interest from both the local historical society and the district library.

The book's title comes from the fact that, after arriving in Canada, Alan was never called anything else but Al.

Image - Alan Bignell

Alan lives in Bedford Park, with his wife and son, who is currently studying at University.

During the time he lived in Canada and for several years after he returned to the UK, he worked as a copywriter in advertising. However, for the past twenty years he has taught the Alexander Technique both in Chiswick and in Central London.

He also plays guitar in a music group called A Wing and a Prayer which until last September played on Sundays at Our Lady of Grace church on the High Road and now performs country and Irish music at care homes in West London.

You can read more on Alan's weekly blog about the Canada trip and the book.

November 2, 2019