Rabia and Tahir are British Muslims, Daz and Jason are garden-variety hoons and Mike and Liam are brothers taking different sides on the race issue in Oakfield, England. Oakfield is the site where the Patriotic League, a white power organisation advocating "British for the British" clash with the Muslim community. The tensions between the racial groups are incited and inflamed by John Creed the leader of the Patriotic League. The narrative culminates in a race riot, where a death occurs and a fragile peace is reached in the community.
This is a very powerful and sobering novel. I was immediately impressed by the wonderful vocabulary and command of language Gibbons has "She sees the long fingers of the night clawing into the alley a gives a little shudder" (p. 1) This novel is chilling, demonstrating how the events of 9-11 continue to resonate some years later.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I agree with you Natalie!!! I read this book some time back and still remember it for its powerful portrayal of racial problems in England.
Post a Comment