Monday 3 January 2011

Book Review - Boys Don't Cry

Synopsis
You’re waiting for the postman--he’s bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist--a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it’s your old girlfriend; and she’s carrying a baby. You’re fine to look after it, for an hour or two, while she does some shopping. Then she doesn’t come back and your future suddenly looks very different.


My Review
I love Malorie Blackman, she is one of my favourite authors, her 'Noughts & Crosses' series is amazing and so i couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. Not the sort of thing i normally read but i was willing to give it a go. Dante is seventeen, he's waiting for his A-Level results to arrive, if he gets the right grades he can leave home, go to Uni and follow his dreams, but when the doorbell rings it isn't the postman standing there, but Mel, an old girlfriend he hasn't seen for nearly 18 months. She come bearing a baby, Dante's baby - Emma. Mel then runs away, leaving Dante with the baby and his future crashing down around him. 
This book was really easy to ready, the chapters are short and the writing to the point. I found it quite predictable in places, i often guessed exactly what was going to happen about 2 chapters before it happened. But i still enjoyed the story. There are some twists throughout, and moments that made me gasp in shock, laugh out loud and tear up. 
This book covers a lot of issues that young people have to deal with including Teen Pregnancy, Foster care, sexuality, violence, and depression, but it does it in a way that doesn't shove it in your face, just makes you aware of events. 
I loved the characters and fell in love with little Emma, she brought a light and laughter to those around her and was infectious off the page too. Whilst reading you feel like you really get to know Dante and i came to feel as though i really understood him and i felt sorry for him, he copes really well with everything that's thrown at him, and i felt myself hoping things worked out for him.
I have to admit i really enjoyed the book and read it in a couple of hours, and once i had finished it, i wanted to know more, it does come to an appropriate end, but leaves some questions unanswered, i hope Blackman does a sequel.

My Rating
I would give this book 8/10 a good story, very enjoyable but left me wanting more.  

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