Ben’s dad was killed in the 9/11 attacks in New York. This alone sparks an unnerving feeling within, it is the first story I’ve read on the subject and I was anxious about the content. I needn’t have been though. Bruton is brilliant.
Ben is a young boy who is dealing with the loss of his father, but it’s also a story about other things too. Family, friendship, bereavement, racism, anger, love as well as hate. Ben is staying with his grandparents and Cousin Jed over the summer whilst his fragile mother is in hospital. Here he meets one of the best characters I’ve met in a long time, Priti. She’s just moved onto his grandparent’s street with her family, they’re Muslim and are trying to fit in with their predominantly white neighbours. Priti is feisty, funny and bold, yet with the innocence that comes with childhood. By just being herself she helps Ben deal with his conflicting feelings about his Dad and his Mum. My heart hurt for Ben. Kind, carful, caring Ben. He is drowning in guilt for not remembering his father, his mother’s illness and ‘burdening’ his grieving grandparents. He’s the complete opposite to Jed. I disliked him at first, mainly because he was insensitive about his Uncle’s death and his blatant racist attitude and anger, but as the story developed it became clear Jed was grieving too. The absence of his mother and the influence of his own father’s fury were hurting him more than he wanted to show.
The three of them become friends whilst trying to uncover an elaborate honour killing and terrorist attack. Yet, as always, things are never what they seem. Bruton is ambitious with the topics she covers; she is pushing boundaries all of the time and forcing people to recognise their own unspoken prejudices, thoughts and beliefs. Amidst all the action are descriptions of Ben’s comic drawings. He sketches all the time about things going on, his thoughts and feelings. I feel it necessary to mention these as they’re a key aspect of the book; I really hope they’re included in the finished text. This is an exceptional debut, an important book that is tender, funny, sometimes uncomfortable but also incredibly sensitive.
Ben is a young boy who is dealing with the loss of his father, but it’s also a story about other things too. Family, friendship, bereavement, racism, anger, love as well as hate. Ben is staying with his grandparents and Cousin Jed over the summer whilst his fragile mother is in hospital. Here he meets one of the best characters I’ve met in a long time, Priti. She’s just moved onto his grandparent’s street with her family, they’re Muslim and are trying to fit in with their predominantly white neighbours. Priti is feisty, funny and bold, yet with the innocence that comes with childhood. By just being herself she helps Ben deal with his conflicting feelings about his Dad and his Mum. My heart hurt for Ben. Kind, carful, caring Ben. He is drowning in guilt for not remembering his father, his mother’s illness and ‘burdening’ his grieving grandparents. He’s the complete opposite to Jed. I disliked him at first, mainly because he was insensitive about his Uncle’s death and his blatant racist attitude and anger, but as the story developed it became clear Jed was grieving too. The absence of his mother and the influence of his own father’s fury were hurting him more than he wanted to show.
The three of them become friends whilst trying to uncover an elaborate honour killing and terrorist attack. Yet, as always, things are never what they seem. Bruton is ambitious with the topics she covers; she is pushing boundaries all of the time and forcing people to recognise their own unspoken prejudices, thoughts and beliefs. Amidst all the action are descriptions of Ben’s comic drawings. He sketches all the time about things going on, his thoughts and feelings. I feel it necessary to mention these as they’re a key aspect of the book; I really hope they’re included in the finished text. This is an exceptional debut, an important book that is tender, funny, sometimes uncomfortable but also incredibly sensitive.
Published by Egmont - August 2011
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