God's Own Country
by Ross Raisin.
A book that promoted a lot of discussion and a division of opinion within the group.
For some, the book was not realistic.
They felt that the distances mentioned on the North York Moors were impossible.
The author, they felt, did not know or love the North York Moors.
It would be unlikely that the girl had gone to Ampleforth College from where she lived.
When the girl and boy were escaping, the speeds and distances they were meant to cover, were impossible.
The behaviour of the girl was inconsistent.
She could accept stealing on the train, but not in the shop.
She behaved like a spoilt teenager.
Had she spoken up for him, he would have received a far fairer sentence.
The behaviour of the boy, Sam Marsdyke promoted much discussion.
Some felt sympathy for him almost until the end.
He had no guidance or example to follow.
Some felt that he was autistic which would go a long way to explaining some of his actions.
Although he was eventually accused of abduction, the original idea to leave came from the girl and it only changed to abduction when he tied the girl up.
Perhaps he considered the girl as a wayward sheep.
There were many opportunities for her to escape that she didn’t take up.
Was this an abduction or a teenage escapade gone wrong?
Although the boy showed some affiliation with the sheep and a lot for the dog, Sal, he did kill a chicken and left Sal when he ran away.
He had some affinity for animals, but this was not absolute.
The significance of the family coming from Muswell Hill was explained.
People living in Muswell Hill would have aspirations.
With thanks to Cath for choosing a book that promoted so much discussion and to Kath for her hospitality and edible goodies.
The book promoted so much discussion that a two system “scores on the doors” was introduced.
The book scored four stars, but if the scores of those who did not want their score to count as they had read so little of the book were counted, the score would have been three.
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