Reviews

Brock by Anthony McGowan

katykelly's review

5.0

Tense, sweet and brief. It reminded me of one of Roald Dahl's short stories for older children, 'The Swan' (from 'Henry Sugar') when a boy is bullied into wearing a swan's wings. It's the same realistic, everyday story that could affect a young person, with well-drawn characters and meaning bullies.

Our well-drawn heroes here are Nicky and Kenny. Teenage Nicky is drawn by his 'simple' (his words) younger brother into a meeting with local bullies, out with their dogs to bait badgers. Kenny soon sees that it isn't a game, as dogs are sent into the sett.

The baiting scene is quite intense and well conveyed. The story afterwards switches completely to Nicky and Kenny back at home with a secret to care for... Their single dad, on bail, unemployed and despondent features in he second half, and the half-forgotten bullies don't fade away. It ends with excitement, a lovely epilogue and threads tied together.

I've loved McGowan's longer novels for young people in the past (Henry Tumour showed he was willing to cover quite dark topics with humour). This short Barrington Stokes entry is a departure, theme-wise, but is a cracking little tale that suits the short-chapter format, is well-written and characterised, and will keep interest.

This would be great as a class read as well as one for individuals.

missoliviareadsbooks's review

4.0

I wanted to read this series after the final book - Lark - won the Carnegie Award this year. This story of brothers Nicky and Kenny is wonderfully heartwarming and a thoroughly enjoyable read!

unfetteredfiction's review

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A beautiful story which brings you face to face with those difficult emotions, decisions and relationships surrounding growing up. Heart-warming and effective. No word is wasted and albeit a quick read, a truly memorable one.

frenchtoastt's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Overall very lighthearted with an easy plot and loveable characters 

limely's review

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

chibihecate's review

4.0

https://boooksinmywords.blogspot.com/2020/10/brock-lark-review-by-anthony-mcgowan.html

essie_may's review

5.0

Ох уж эти суровые британские подростки..
У меня претензия только одна:

Spoiler

старика тоже надо было спасти.

bybookandbone's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bethkemp's review

5.0

Fantastic, powerful story. It is no small feat to offer a complex and engaging story with emotional depth in a short text accessible to all readers, including those with dyslexia, but this novel really delivers. Violent and realistic but never entirely lacking in hope, this is a brilliant read that I absolutely recommend.