Noughts And Crosses is the sort of book that when you've finished, you sit back and think "wow." It's impeccably written, the characters feel so real and the plot is like nothing you'll have read before. (Spoilers are in this review)
**Blurb**
The blurb on the back of the book reads:
"Callum is a nought - a second-class citizen in a world run by the ruling Crosses...
Sephy is a Cross, the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country...
In their world, noughts and Crosses simply don't mix. And as hostility turns to violence, can Callum and Sephy possibly find a way to be together? The are determined to try.
And then the bomb explodes..."
**Plot** (Note: Minor spoilers ahead, nothing too major though)
The world in which the story takes place is one that we will recognise slightly, but at the same time is radically different.
In this world, society is divided into two, with noughts and Crosses making up the population.
Noughts are white people, and they are considered inferior; they have the manual labour, mindless, unskilled jobs and are generally of a lower class.
Crosses are black people, and they hold the power, they are in government, they are the rich people and have only the best jobs.
There is a divide between the two, the Crosses are not openly hateful towards the noughts, but you can tell the hatred is there. The noughts put up with their lot, but there is an underlying hatred which will end in tears.
A lot of the history is the same as in our world, though reversed; the noughts suffer from segregation and were slaves to the Crosses. This is a sensitive subject but Blackman writes it delicately and eases you into the story.
The story that takes place in this world is between Callum (a nought) and Sephy (a Cross). They've been friends all their life, as Callum's Mother worked as a housekeeper for Sephy's family. They become closer when Callum starts at Sephy's school (an all Cross school), due to a government policy that says noughts be allowed into Cross schools.
Over time, they fall in love, breaking all social boundaries whilst they're at it: noughts and Crosses do not mix, they aren't friends and they definitely don't fall in love.
We follow their story as they grow older, and are driven apart by societies prejudices and the fact that Callum joins a terrorist militia group along with his brother and Father.
I don't want to ruin the rest of the plot for you, so I will simply say that things take a devastating turn that will leave you gasping in shock and in floods of tears.
**Characters**
The two main characters in this book are amazingly written and very real. The story is told in first person, however with a difference. You get a section from Sephy's point of view, then a section from Callum's point of view and so on. This sounds like it might be confusing, but each section is clearly labelled, and it is a very effective way of storytelling, especially at the end...
The story is fleshed out by a supporting cast of Sephy and Callum's families; we meet Sephy's alcoholic Mother and politician Father, and her older sister Minerva. More interesting are Callum's family - his Mother, Father, brother Jude and tragic sister Lynette.
**Book Details**
Pages: 445 Author: Malorie Blackman Sequels: "An Eye for an Eye", "Knife Edge" and "Checkmate" Price: £5.99
**Overall**
Despite this book being in the teenage section of the bookshop, I wouldn't recommend it to younger readers. There are a lot of sensitive issues touched on in this book, including racism, terrorism, rape and the death penalty). However, adults shouldn't be put off by the fact it is in the teenage fiction section - it is a book any adult would enjoy.
Noughts And Crosses is one of my favourite novels, not only because it is well written, but also because it has a wonderful plot, fantastic characters and a story that will make you think and stick with you for a long while afterwards.
The ending had me in floods of tears; it is one of the only books that has ever made me cry and everyone I've spoken to that has read it has cried too - so have a hanky at the ready!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winningauthor 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 st...
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...
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
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