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A review by katykelly
Beck by Mal Peet
4.0
Such a sad thought, that Mal Peet died in the middle of writing, but also how lovely that fellow writer and friend, Meg Rosoff was able to complete this for him. Very moving idea, and as someone who's read both authors before, I couldn't see a point at which one took over from the other. I hope Peet would be proud of his final work.
It's quite different to books by both I've read. Historical, and it doesn't hold back from some of the worst human acts that have happened to mixed race, poor young people with no family.
Born to a prostitute after an amorous encounter with a black sailor, Beck's life in Liverpool may be poor but he is loved. Until his mother dies and he ends up being sent to the New World with other children, to a far-from-genial religious institution. And soon after, sent to work on a filthy farm, under slave-like conditions and with just as much dignity and affection.
With nobody to care for him, treated cruelly or with prejudice for his skin colour, Beck grows into a distrustful young man, living off his wiles. We will him to find love, companionship, to learn how to make friends and find some good luck.
But will he? Is he his own worst enemy?
With some graphic scenes of abuse and violence (making this not suitable for primary school readers), it is quite upsetting, but a rather illuminating look at a time of dog-eat-dog, of blatant racism and institutionalized child abuse, around the era of Prohibition in America.
Beck is sympathetic, and his luck seems to grow ever worse, in a continent of such size, he seems so alone and friendless.
The book eventually allows a hopeful future to come as Beck comes of age emotionally and allows himself to open himself up to others.
It's quite a sad read, and with an unusual protagonist in the mixed race emigrant, on his own at so young an age in a rather cold world. I was so pleased to see the tide turn for him in the third act.
This is one I'll recommend to KS4 students, I think, it feels well-cemented in its historical context and would be of interest to students of history. Some lovely writing, some powerful minor characters as well, and a rather moving swansong for the writer.
It's quite different to books by both I've read. Historical, and it doesn't hold back from some of the worst human acts that have happened to mixed race, poor young people with no family.
Born to a prostitute after an amorous encounter with a black sailor, Beck's life in Liverpool may be poor but he is loved. Until his mother dies and he ends up being sent to the New World with other children, to a far-from-genial religious institution. And soon after, sent to work on a filthy farm, under slave-like conditions and with just as much dignity and affection.
With nobody to care for him, treated cruelly or with prejudice for his skin colour, Beck grows into a distrustful young man, living off his wiles. We will him to find love, companionship, to learn how to make friends and find some good luck.
But will he? Is he his own worst enemy?
With some graphic scenes of abuse and violence (making this not suitable for primary school readers), it is quite upsetting, but a rather illuminating look at a time of dog-eat-dog, of blatant racism and institutionalized child abuse, around the era of Prohibition in America.
Beck is sympathetic, and his luck seems to grow ever worse, in a continent of such size, he seems so alone and friendless.
The book eventually allows a hopeful future to come as Beck comes of age emotionally and allows himself to open himself up to others.
It's quite a sad read, and with an unusual protagonist in the mixed race emigrant, on his own at so young an age in a rather cold world. I was so pleased to see the tide turn for him in the third act.
This is one I'll recommend to KS4 students, I think, it feels well-cemented in its historical context and would be of interest to students of history. Some lovely writing, some powerful minor characters as well, and a rather moving swansong for the writer.