The author is a huge fan of Alan Bennett's work, having studied Talking
Heads at A-level. All the characters in Against the Tide are fictitious,
reflecting individuals who see situations very differently to mainstream
society; and who, due to circumstances, feel isolated and somewhat
estranged even from those around them. Politics features in Queen of
South Faxby and Moving with the Times, and in a previous work, The
Waiting Man. This no doubt is due to 12 years spent in the political
arena of local politics. Although light hearted, some of the characters
lead quite sad existences.