Brixton Rock - Softcover

Alex Wheatle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1901969150 ISBN 13: 9781901969153

Publisher: Arcadia Books, 2004

Synopsis

'The story trundles along energetically but the novel s real strength lies in the dialogue. Wheatle gives us a fascinating snapshot of black English in the early eighties Daily Telegraph

'Alex Wheatle's narrative is pacey; witty; his characters real and recognisable.' Linton Kwesi Johnson

'Alex Wheatle s Brixton Rock has initiated the debate on how it feels to be a mixed race Briton.' New Statesman

'Wheatle has a powerful subject which he made into a Brighton Rock for contemporary England, a story about the inner life of a wounded social outcast who is redeemed while being a criminal.' World Literature Today

'A great debut novel. Really, really exciting story... Alex Wheatle will be a great writer...brilliant ending.' Greater London Radio

'...powerful debut ...a real page turner. The mystery and intrigue just keeps on coming as the suspense builds to an explosive ending.' The Big Issue

'...an excellent debut... Wheatle's choice of chapter headings reads like a classic late seventies reggae collection... his prose too is liberally sprinkled with knowing references to Marley lyrics,...you're going to love this.' Echoes Magazine

'Brixton Rock is a funny fast-paced read and shows that Wheatle has definite promise.' Touch

Set against the backdrop of the Brixton race riots in London in the 1980s, this novel tells a story of overcoming obstacles from a teen's perspective. Brenton Brown, a 16-year-old mixed-race youth, has lived in a children's home all his life and is haunted by the absence of his mother. Complications arise, however, when he finally meets his mother and then falls dangerously in love with his half-sister. Killer Terry Flynn also scars Brenton's life and leaves him wanting revenge. Through it all, this determined teen is driven to pursue education and recognize his true self in the midst of chaos.

About this title

Review:

'A triumph . . . very funny. 'Brixton Rock' is a pacey document of teenage angst . . . This is a debut which confirms its author as a pro in prose.' --The Times

'Sharp-edged and sardonically funny, Brixton Rock is Graham Greene for the hip-hop generation - a strong and quirky debut by Alex Wheatle.' --Crime Time

'A powerful first novel... the very best book I have read so far this year...extremely explosive...beautifully descriptive passages which are in a commendable and original style...if you are not thrilled by the book and moved to tears by the final denouncement, you have no right to call yourself a book lover.' --Borough News

From the Publisher:

Wheatle is the winner of the 1999 New London Writers Award
NICKY MILSON, THE TIMES: ‘... a triumph ...bears a striking resemblance to Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock... The main difference is that Brixton Rock is very funny. Brixton Rock is a pacey document of teenage angst...which is why the pockets of humour...prove to be such a triumph. This is a debut which ‘A great debut novel. Really, really exciting story... it has wonderful memories of the 80s.. Alex Wheatle will be a great writer...hints of great stuff to come. Look out for the next one but definitely read this narrative is pacey; witty; his characters real and recognisable. This is a very promising debut’.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arcadia Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1901969150
• ISBN 13: 9781901969153
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 250