Pig Iron by Benjamin Myers

Set against the rugged backdrop of Northern England, this gritty novel follows John-John Wisdom, a young man recently released from prison, as he grapples with his past and seeks redemption. Haunted by the legacy of his father, a notorious bare-knuckle fighter, John-John struggles to find his place in a world that seems to offer little hope. As he navigates the complexities of familial loyalty and personal freedom, he is drawn back into the violent world he desperately wants to escape, leading to a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the inescapable pull of one's roots.