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archytas's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
McPherson has captured the voice of disaffected mid-teens almost painfully accurately here, and provides a rare snapshot of youth culture in regional Queensland,complete with major plot points around graffiti genitalia, vehicular dares and fluid families. The plot is just a little predictable, and I kept thinking it would work brilliantly as a play, where the dialogue would shine, as could the ways McPherson introduces discussions around race, risk taking, bullying and domestic abuse, within a fundamentally funny and hopeful wrapper.
crufts's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Visiting a high school near Noosa, Queensland, an author (Sue) invites four teenage boys to tell their life stories. Over the course of five days she gets the perspective of Rob, a white Aussie who is eager to prove himself; Pen, Rob's younger brother and a prolific graffiti artist; Benny Boy, a keen fisherman who is Aboriginal but raised by his white foster Nan; and Jack, a white teenager with a polite manner who was adopted by his loving Aboriginal family.
I really enjoyed the book, which accomplishes a lot in its 132 pages. Firstly, the book is written as a transcript of Sue's back-and-forth interviews. It was great fun to read, like a play, and it seemed so real. I actually had to go and check that yes, this is a fictional story, because the dialogue is so convincing.
In direct and indirect ways the novel discusses the desire to prove oneself and the risks people take; how teenagers try to carve out a space for themselves; how "normal" families can be miserable and "abnormal" families can be happy; how people from the bush, rural towns, and urban cities relate to eachother; racism; and more.
The book doesn't really have an overarching plot and is basically a series of short interwoven stories, but each story is entertaining and intriguing.
I found the ending a little weird, but also kind of thematically appropriate.
Overall, I would definitely recommend the book.
I really enjoyed the book, which accomplishes a lot in its 132 pages. Firstly, the book is written as a transcript of Sue's back-and-forth interviews. It was great fun to read, like a play, and it seemed so real. I actually had to go and check that yes, this is a fictional story, because the dialogue is so convincing.
In direct and indirect ways the novel discusses the desire to prove oneself and the risks people take; how teenagers try to carve out a space for themselves; how "normal" families can be miserable and "abnormal" families can be happy; how people from the bush, rural towns, and urban cities relate to eachother; racism; and more.
The book doesn't really have an overarching plot and is basically a series of short interwoven stories, but each story is entertaining and intriguing.
I found the ending a little weird, but also kind of thematically appropriate.
Overall, I would definitely recommend the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Racism, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Child death, and Alcohol
As the book is written as an interview transcript, many topics are touched on or mentioned in dialogue, but are not vividly described.Death, Death of parent, Child death: It is mentioned that some characters' parents have died. A teenager dies during the book.
Alcohol, Alcoholism: Some characters' relatives hit the booze too much.
Racism, Racial slurs: A slur against Aboriginal people is discussed in a fairly civil conversation. There is also discussion of the appropriateness of the hard and soft N-words referring to black people.
Homophobia: Discussed by the main characters.
crazybooklady_'s review against another edition
4.0
Brontide is a coming of age story of four young boys told through a series of storytelling sessions at their school. Wow, what a unique and fascinating concept. This was young adult unlike anything else I have read. I loved this format and found it easy and engaging. The storytelling sessions of dialogue between the boys and the author made it easy for the reader to get to know the boys rather quickly despite how short the text is.
This tale is full of great themes like perspective and different perceptions and would be a great school text for learning about empathy, particularly with the engaging format. The perfect single sitting read I absolutely devoured it. I grew to love each of the boys despite their flaws and rudeness evident at times, although I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times. McPherson writes a relatable and memorable junior high school read and one that I would highly recommend.
mandi_m's review against another edition
2.0
A really interesting concept and structure, but I didn't lose myself in the story in the way I had hoped. This would be really interesting to use in a classroom.
missusb21's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting format. Tight, restrained length. Confronting content. Authentic voices.
gillyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Brontide is told through a series of interviews, and share the stories of four teenage boys reluctantly participating in a storytelling workshop with author Sue McPherson.
Brontide is a quick but intense read that raises social issues in a way that could easily lead to many discussions in a classroom or family without presenting clear and tidy answers.
As someone who volunteers for storytelling workshops, there was a lot that was deeply familiar - the initial reluctance that turns into a determination that the story is theirs to tell. It really reiterated the importance of being able to tell your own story for all young people.
Brontide is a quick but intense read that raises social issues in a way that could easily lead to many discussions in a classroom or family without presenting clear and tidy answers.
As someone who volunteers for storytelling workshops, there was a lot that was deeply familiar - the initial reluctance that turns into a determination that the story is theirs to tell. It really reiterated the importance of being able to tell your own story for all young people.
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