flappermyrtle's review against another edition
2.0
The language in Brixton Rock is both a barrier and a reason to read it. The reggae slang Benton and his friends use is fascinating, funny and intricate and at some point I got used to it and it really flowed off the page. The culture and athmosphere of the black neighbourhoods in London in the eighties is sketched in everyday scenes. Still, I did not really connect with any of the characters and, horrible as it may be, felt very white and middle-class and female while reading it. Though the male characters are complex, the female characters are one-dimensional and defined by one character trait only. The pace doesn't really pick up and some of the events were simply too problematic for me to really understand or, rather, want to understand.
ricamarina's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first time reading a book by Alex Wheatle. I don't really know much about life for West Indians especially when they first came to England. Only the stories my family have told me. I was interested to hear what life was like for Brenton Brown. Brenton has had it tough and I really hope life picks up for him. I really thought things were going to look up for him when he met his mother but they didn't. I feel the mother could've done more for him. Brenton just wanted his mother's love. His sister needs to be held accountable. She's older than Brenton and what happened wasn't right. It was uncomfortable to read. I do feel like it could have been dealt with by the authorities especially given Brenton was in care and was vulnerable but I had to remind myself this was in the 80s and I guess children's services were not as regulated as they are now.
Brenton often dissociated, dreaming for a better life and made a friend in Mr Brown which was a makeshift scarecrow but that's what gave Brenton comfort. It was interesting to see how the windrush generation lived and the community spirit in South London and the underground raves they had, continuing the West Indian culture with music and dance. The beef with Flynn was interesting to read and just goes to show the street life is something that has been happening for years and years. It gave insight to how people get involved in certain criminal activities too and how their upbringing can really affect them, but they can also turn their life around. I would recommend this book and I would like to read more of the author's novels. Im really rooting for Brenton and I hope he gets the right support and therapy...
Brenton often dissociated, dreaming for a better life and made a friend in Mr Brown which was a makeshift scarecrow but that's what gave Brenton comfort. It was interesting to see how the windrush generation lived and the community spirit in South London and the underground raves they had, continuing the West Indian culture with music and dance. The beef with Flynn was interesting to read and just goes to show the street life is something that has been happening for years and years. It gave insight to how people get involved in certain criminal activities too and how their upbringing can really affect them, but they can also turn their life around. I would recommend this book and I would like to read more of the author's novels. Im really rooting for Brenton and I hope he gets the right support and therapy...
carlosmartinez's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating and authentic insight into British-Jamaican life in early 1980s Brixton. Given how comprehensively gentrified Brixton has become, it's very valuable and interesting to have this memento of its previous incarnation. Brixton Rock is a tribute to a place and time, as well as a study of loneliness, identity and the importance of friends and family.
The language won't be a barrier to anyone raised in London; to others, it could be. Oh, and I won't leave any spoilers, but I thought one of the themes of the book was unnecessarily yucky!
The language won't be a barrier to anyone raised in London; to others, it could be. Oh, and I won't leave any spoilers, but I thought one of the themes of the book was unnecessarily yucky!
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