lanacrow's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
glittery_witch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In the early 2000s, Azzy Williams grows up on a scheme in Lanarkshire in West Scotland. His life, like that of most teenage boys in town, is dominated by alcohol, drugs, raves, and gang fights. In Azzy’s early youth this is all still fun and games, as the boys cause trouble at school and sit around bonfires smoking joints, but as they grow older, this world turns a much darker, deadly shade.
The Young Team is based on Graeme Armstrong’s own youth spent in gang culture and thus contains many autobiographic elements. The novel paints a brutal, devastating picture of a working class Scotland that still suffers the consequences of deindustrialisation, that is stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty, addiction, and mental illness. At the same time, Armstrong retains shimmers of hope, as he powerfully conveys the value of friendship, family, the possibility for change, and the innocent days of childhood, using the vibrant urban Scots language of the area. A deep appreciation of the pop culture that shaped the author’s life runs throughout the book, as well, from the music and legendary y figure of Tupac Shakur, to Trainspotting. Indeed, the influence of the latter can be felt in the episodic structure and stream of consciousness narration in The Young Team, as well as a few cleverly placed direct references (swipe for my favourite one).
The novel shifts between often tense sequences of conflict, gentle moments of connection, and long contemplative passages of inner monologue. At times it is a bit slow, and some of the monologues are quite repetitive, and I wasn’t sure whether this was a deliberate stylistic choice, or an oversight on the part of the editor.
The Young Team certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you like a reflective take on the gritty, dark sides of life and unapologetic realism, I am sure you would love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
stephreadsabook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
kellyinbookland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
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