Whispers in the Graveyard - Theresa Breslin

Solomon has a lot to be concerned about: his mother has left the family; his father is an alcoholic; and his (unrecognised) dyslexia means that he is bullied by his teacher and finds school difficult. When everything becomes too stressful, he escapes to the graveyard, and when plans to demolish his hiding place begin, he is forced to confront his problems.

The first section of the novel focuses on Solomon's family, gradually revealing ...
...enjoyed reading this section, I found the subsequent fantastical section in the graveyard spoilt my enjoyment of the novel. Although the writing was descriptive I found it difficult to sustain my engagement and lost concentration. (It is worth noting that I am not the target audience for this novel and that I generally dislike fantastical tales.) Although it is tempting to interpret this section as a metaphorical account of Solomon's struggle to ... more

Solomon has a lot to be concerned about: his mother has left the family; his father is an alcoholic; and his (unrecognised) dyslexia means that he is bullied by his teacher and finds school difficult. When everything becomes too stressful, he escapes to the graveyard, and when plans to demolish his hiding place begin, he is forced to confront his problems.

The first section of the novel focuses on Solomon's family, gradually revealing his difficulties and his inventive methods of coping. Although I enjoyed reading this section, I found the subsequent fantastical section in the graveyard spoilt my enjoyment of the novel. Although the writing was descriptive I found it difficult to sustain my engagement and lost concentration. (It is worth noting that I am not the target audience for this novel and that I generally dislike fantastical tales.) Although it is tempting to interpret this section as a metaphorical account of Solomon's struggle to take positive control of his life, the presence and involvement of Amy Miller, a young girl who is attracted to the dark forces, seems to prevent this.

Once the supernatural events are over, the plot seems to continue arbitrarily; although there is more to reveal, the success of their escape seems to require an ending, or at least more of a bridge between this and 'normality'. At the end of the novel, Solomon is waiting to see what will happen in his life and preparing to make some important decisions. Ultimately, the novel suggests that you are responsible for your own life and must tackle difficulties rather than relying on a saviour.

The language used brings scenes vividly to life and makes the story easy to read. Breslin successfully creates a sympathetic central character, whose occasional rage develops this connection rather than repelling you. By the end of the novel, I empathised with Solomon and hoped that his father would take the necessary steps to allow them both to build healthier, happier lives. Overall, this is an engaging read for young people. 

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