| ...Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery... |
| ...Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery... |
Member since:17.10.2006
Reviews:11
Members who trust:68
*Warning - This review contains spoilers.
A less than satisfactory grade in my English module last term resulted in the purchase of this book. Well, that was the excuse I used for the bank of mum. In reality I had heard of it through friends and decided that it was time to read something new. Having just recently read things such as 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and 'Pride and Prejudice' i assumed that the novel would be quite an easy read by my standards. In actual fact it was a surprisingly hard read, and there were several times I had to use a dictionary as reference.
Although the book does contain a warning that it is not suitable for younger readers, it is also generally categorized under 'teen reading.' Some of the more advanced younger children would probably have no problem understanding the context, in exception to a few words as I stated above, and therefore might be able to gain access to it through a parent or guardian. I am well aware that kids grow up faster these days (I am one of them,) but I wouldn't recommend the book for children of roughly under eight or nine, depending on the maturity of the child, as it does have things of an explicit nature written down, including a pretty heavy love scene around half way through the book.
The book is one of the very few I have read that kept me glued to the text throughout. Out of the trilogy it is certainly the most preferable. The writer has managed to create a world of exact opposites to the one we live on now, which gives the reader a much clearer perspective of racial prejudice. With many unexpected and sudden twists to the storyline, and an ending to die for (literally.)
The novel revolves around the lives of two people, of two different cultural backgrounds, who grow up together and fall in love, a love which they must keep secret from the world for fear of criticism and even corruption from within the government. Callum is a nought, one of the underprivileged in a society ruled by crosses, such as Sephy. Sephy refuses to conform, as she fights for equality. Even though they both share the same ethnics, the same love, in a world so eaten up by hatred and bitterness they must learn the hard way that some things are never meant to be.
The story follows Sephy and Callum as they grow up together, as they share memories. It follows them as they learn about the harsh realities of the world and fight to bring down injustice. Their friendship is frowned upon by many even as young children. But as they grow and develop criticism turns to hostility, and eventually violence. The reader is forced to watch as the children, once so innocent, turn callus and cynical. Even through the love that they share they begin to form resentment for the others status, and eventually, bitter with fear and hatred, turn into what they spent their lives fighting.
The last few chapters of the book are by the far the best, although they leave unanswered questions. I kept expecting there to be more, I turned the page and I hoped with all my heart that there would be more, that what had just happened could not be the end. I almost cried when I realized that there wasn't. Malorie Blackman has the completely indivual power to create relationships between fictional characters and the reader, making the ending even harder to bear.
The book contain 422 pages of medium size print, so even for the most experienced of readers there's a good three or four hours reading involved.
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this book. It is truly one of the most moving, heartbreaking novels I have ever read, and whatever age the reader it's a book they will be sure to enjoy.
Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winning author whose work is always inclined to provoke ... more
debate amongst her readers, and indeed her peers. With Noughts and Crosses she surpasses expectation not only with her subject matter, but with the execution of a...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winning author whose work is always inclined to provoke ... more
debate amongst her readers, and indeed her peers. WithNoughts and Crossesshe surpasses expectation not only with her subject matter, but with the execution of a s...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winning author whose work is always inclined to provoke ... more
debate amongst her readers, and indeed her peers. With Noughts and Crosses she surpasses expectation not only with her subject matter, but with the execution of a...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Passionate writing, deep themes, excellent writing and there are sequels. Disadvantages: Too mature themes for very young readers and gets a little long-winded in the middle
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (90%):
helpful by (8%):
