In the heart of a small Scottish town during the vibrant summer of 1986, "Mayflies" weaves the unforgettable tale of James and Tully, two friends whose lives become inextricably linked through a shared zeal for music, film, and a thirst for rebellion. As they stand on the precipice of adulthood, their world brims with the infinite possibilities of youth, culminating in a rapturous pilgrimage to Manchester—the beating heart of their cultural revolution. Here, amid the pulsating rhythms of the greatest soundtrack ever recorded, they pledge to seize life on their own terms, a vow resonant with the promise of a future unfettered by the shadows of their fathers. Fast forward thirty years, and the bond that defined their very essence faces the ultimate test. With a single phone call, the past's indelible marks come into sharp relief against the backdrop of impending loss. "Mayflies" is a poignant exploration of the enduring power of friendship, a tribute to the exuberant joy and inevitable sorrow that comes with loving deeply. Andrew O'Hagan crafts a narrative that is as heartrending as it is uplifting, capturing the essence of human connection and the indomitable spirit of youth. In its pages, readers will find a moving elegy to the moments that shape us and the friends who define us, even as we navigate the inexorable march of time.