After having read Brother in the Land by Robert Swindells, I thought I would try some of his other books, so I borrowed Abomination from the library. This is a 206-page novel for ‘older readers’ that was published in 1998 and shortlisted for the Whitbread Award.
The two main characters are two children aged twelve who attend the same school – Martha and Scott. Both are outsiders in some way. Scott is a new boy, just finding his way around a different school. Martha isn’t new, but she is still an outsider. She dresses in hand-made clothes and is known to be ‘weird’.
Scott and Martha both face being bullied at school and find strength in each other, becoming friends. Scott is Martha’s only friend. She is a member of a religious order called the Righteous, which severely restricts her social life. Her daily routine includes praying and household chores. She is not allowed to have posters on her walls, go out with friends or read books that have not been approved by her parents.
Her house is very strange too. Everything is dark and old-fashioned. They don’t have a TV and her father beats her, if she listens to Radio One. But the house also holds a darker, more sinister secret – there is something in the cellar, something that is referred to only as ‘Abomination.’ For that reason, Martha could never have friends round, even if she had any.
The book is suitable for children aged around nine to fourteen, I would say. I found Brother in the Land was more ‘adult’ with harsher themes and more disturbing images, whereas Abomination tackles some unusual ideas again, but never strays over the boundary to make it too frightening. I would certainly have no problems with my ten, eleven and twelve year olds reading this book.
Although this book (understandably) lacks the tension of an adult work in this genre, Abomination is still a page-turner and easy to read in one go. It is written in short chapters telling the story from both Scott and Martha’s viewpoints, which makes it equally as accessible for both genders. Boys can read along, sympathising with Scott and girls can be on Martha’s side.
The book is written simply, but it never seems patronising. The language used isn’t overly complex, but conveys perfectly the sort of problems kids go through. What will my classmates think, if I have a boyfriend / girlfriend? How do I stop being bullied? Is it better to tell or to suffer in silence? How do I get to be one of the ‘in’ crowd? I’m sure every child has asked themselves these questions at some point.
The book would be ideal for a child to read who felt an outsider (for whatever reason) or was being bullied at school, but anyone could read this book and get something from it. I found it an interesting novel and hard to put down. Although I didn’t find it wholly satisfying, this is probably due to my age and fussiness, rather than any fault with the author.
I enjoyed this book and found it refreshingly different. I am sure children will love it even more. I will let my kids read it next, before returning it to the library.
Abomination by Robert Swindells Published by Doubleday Paperback, £3.99
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I don't read books personally, although this does sound like a good read. It will prbably do as a present for someoene. Many thanks. Chantal
littlepenguin 30.06.2003 17:15
Your right(for once LOL)Mum, this book is totally brilliant!
mr-zeeman 24.06.2003 13:33
This sounds a great read for kids with "fitting in" probs ... which I guess 90% have, at some time or other. (But phew K.UK ... I'm reading a book, also called, The Abomination" which is gross. It's by Paul Golding ... and I've put it down after reading 36 pages of extreme male homosexual sado-masochism!!!) Cheers, Paula.
Martha, the youngest daughter of fanatically religious parents, is all too aware that her ... more
family is unusual. Taunted and bullied at school, and lonely at home with only postcards from her elder sister to keep her sane, Martha knows there has to be so...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Martha, the youngest daughter of fanatically religious parents, is all too aware that her ... more
family is unusual. Taunted and bullied at school, and lonely at home with only postcards from her elder sister to keep her sane, Martha knows there has to be so...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Martha, the youngest daughter of fanatically religious parents, is all too aware that her ... more
family is unusual. Taunted and bullied at school, and lonely at home with only postcards from her elder sister to keep her sane, Martha knows there has to be so...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Martha, the youngest daughter of fanatically religious parents, is all too aware that her ... more
family is unusual. Taunted and bullied at school, and lonely at home with only postcards from her elder sister to keep her sane, Martha knows there has to be so...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Jun 21st, 2003
very helpful by (100%):
