PEEP, THE TIMID ALARM CLOCK

BY

ANTHONY (ALFIE) ALIFFE * & OSCAR A. MANTOVANI

                                                          ( 635 dicodons a.c.)

Peep the alarm clock was scared!

He watched Mr. Brillo sleeping in the bed and he knew he must wake him up in five minutes.

Mr.Brillo was not the best tempered man to rouse. Two of Peep's brothers had been attacked by Mr. Brillo, merely for doing their job!

Peep did not want to be next...

This innocent novel has been written for a new generation of children and   " veterans" alike.

Most of the "new" children wil not know what an " alarm clock" is or looks like...In this World full of innovations and technical discoveries , almost all of the original inventions have been forgotten or cast aside.

The reality is here, where the modern " alarm clock" is a mobile 'phone, also capable of taking photographs , playing music , radio,together with thousand of other applications.

Possibly, an old toaster will seem to them  like an alien from out of space...

These items should make the young readers curious and interested in what life was in the " good old days" and make them aware of the importance of friendship and, as regard to the " veterans",  a moment to bathe in a nostalgic step in the past...

........................................................................................................................................................

It is very hard, almost impossible, to believe the incredible adventures full of suspense and wit of a " timid" and friendly battery operated alarm clock of the 60's.

Nevertheless, the almost daily routine, full of "minute" (!), thorough description of the main protagonists and events in the Brillo's kitchen, will create a compelling reading in order to find out what will happen in the next page.

This little novel will open a different perspective on all kitchens and utensils therein, especially regarding old  but still useful battery operated timing devices!

Is this, perhaps, one of the many other books destined to save and renew the fast and disappearing young's ( and old) imagination?

                                                                       ENJOY !

                                                                         O.A.M.

Early 2019.

Anthony "Alfie" Aliffe is an ex soldier who served in the U.K. Army between 1977 and 1982. He subsequently became a professional heavy goods lorry driver, still operating to this day. I discovered his writing  talent just by chance during a very pleasant chat ( and drink) , being his next door neighbour and friend for years.

I was captured by his stile of writing and surprised to learn that he had been writing children stories from the age of 11!

The story of “Peep, the timid alarm clock” has fascinated me and has prompted me to do everything in my power to have it published.

The only big problem has been that Anthony  is very reluctant in believing that he is good…

The story is about the adventures of  a battery operated clock in the surroundings of a typical  house of the 60’s .

Named “Peep” because of the alarm sound and “ timid” because of the little noise produced, it “ lives” incredible adventures and perilous moments inside and outside the household environment .

The description of the events, of the friendship between various utensils , the hatred from newcomers and the beautifully described “life” in the Brillo’s kitchen, has created  compelling reading even for me, at the tender age of 75!

Quite a few people, mostly children, have read the story and all have enjoyed  it, demonstrating that my “judgement” is not too wrong.

The work is made even more interesting with the addition of fridge magnets containing the “portraits” of each protagonist of the story.

Anthony " Alfie" has managed to rekindle in me and many others the element that seemed to have been lost a long time ago, but has been found again: Imagination…pure and simple…Imagination!

Thank you Alfie !

This was written before the sudden and unexpected death of Anthony in 2022.

Our loss is immense, there are no words to describe what all of us friends feel . His memory will be with us forever and I will do the utmost to preserve his great writing talent and wit.

Cheers, Alfie Anthony!

R.I.P.

Oscar and friends.

This is a tribute to the writer, co-author but most of all great, dearest friend Tony ( Alfie) who sadly left us suddenly and unexpectedly too soon . This gentle, generous, kind hearted man had the gift of living the life of a professional long distance heavy goods lorry driver and an aspiring children's books writer.

Tony was loved by every one who had come to know him, especially by his work colleagues who attended his funeral with a perfect array of the Company's vehicles.

As for me, he was a mate, almost a brother, a writing partner but above all a friend with whom I could talk about any subject  in the most intelligent way.

The only fault I can attach to Tony was that I had to struggle to make him believe that his little child's novel was superb and that he was an excellent writer. I think I convinced him in the end...!

Tony left us just before the production was finished but he had had the chance to see the final pre-production and ( he said) was really happy with my efforts... ( He wanted the drawings especially made to look as if a child had drawn them).

We will remember you for all our lives Tony-Alfie and we miss you!

ALL OF US...