Phrynne's Reviews > Black Swan Green

I am not much of a fan of coming-of-age stories but David Mitchell won me over in this one with his excellent characterisation of Jason Taylor. One certainly has to feel for him, thirteen years old, subject to a speech impediment, seriously bullied at school, and feeling the effects of his parents marriage as it starts to break down.

All this happening at once should be too much for anyone but Jason is made of pretty stern stuff. He mostly manages to negotiate the bullies - at least for a while. He writes poetry which is occasionally published without anyone knowing. He recognises right from wrong and treads a balance between the two. He is a smart boy and I felt hope for him all through the book.

The writing is beautiful, the characters intriguing - a couple I had met before in another book which was fun. The setting of a small English village in the 1980's was perfectly done, with Maggie Thatcher and the Falklands War in the background, and mentions of books and music of the day. I enjoyed it very much.