Again this is a book found in the reviews section of Planet magazine, and the quote on the front cover from Matt Haig "A warm, big-hearted tale with a hero you can't help but cheer for" is spot on.
I enjoyed the book and was taken along with it - there is a complete believability about the characters that extends beyond the central one or two and covers all those that crop up - they may appear for only a page or two but they feel rounded. I realised how good the book was when about two thirds of the way in the tide of events turns against the lead character and I was desperate for things to come good for the lead character, muttering under my breath that I would never forgive Ray French if he allowed tragedy to but piles merciless on Aidan Walsh.
The book raises some questions about the nature of protest - here the action is out of withdrawal rather than confrontation, and as we live in turbulent times in which act of protest are likely to become a regular feature a general pondering on the relationship between the ends and the means of protests is worthwhile. As the student who threw a fire exstingisher off the roof top showed, the action of protest, or means of protest can become not just a distraction from the ends, but the most powerful weapon for opponents to ignore and dismiss a cause however valid it might be.
No comments:
Post a Comment