A Kestrel for a Knave
by Barry Hines
An excellent choice of book that promoted much discussion both on the book and of a more personal nature.
All found the book an easy read with excellent descriptions of the countryside.
The use of language was especially praised evoking the feel of a rough northern town through the use of accent an dialect.
However, the book lapsed into too much detail at times, the football match evoked a number of critical comments.
Characterisation was strong and one’s empathy with the main character, Billy, developed through the story line.
Clearly the author know a lot about falconry.
The brutal life of a poor school in a mining town was well described.
Whilst the book is half a century old, the bleak sadness of Billy’s outlook translates immediately to our times.
Overall we may be more wealthy but peer group poverty and bullying are alive and well.
A book worth reading, whether or not you have seen the film, “Kes”.
****
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