Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Blood
by
Tony Birch
From the moment he sawRachel wrapped in a blanket at the hospital, Jesse knew that he’d be the one to look after his little sister. When their mother’s appetite for destruction leads the little family into the arms of Ray Crow, Jesse sees the brooding violence and knows that, this time, the trouble is real. But Jesse is just a kid and even as he tries to save his sister, h...more
Paperback, 264 pages
Published
October 1st 2012
by University of Queensland Press
(first published 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
279)
Feb 13, 2013
JC
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adolescence,
adventure,
australia,
australian-literature,
contemporary,
crime,
family,
indigenous,
melbourne
It was easy for me to picture the film adaptation of this as I read, as Blood evokes the same dry summer heat, dusty landscapes and expanses of blue sky that are familiar in Australian film. Birch's depiction of both rural and (sub)urban landscapes is one of desolation and emptiness from the farmhouse, to Pop's run-down working class neighbourhood, to the ghost town and the silo where Jesse and Rachel wait futilely for the return of Gwen.
I don't think the book's plot is terribly original - a tro...more
I don't think the book's plot is terribly original - a tro...more
Blood, a debut novel by Tony Birch, has been shortlisted for the 2012 Miles Franklin Award.
In the blurb at Fishpond, it’s described as ‘an epic moral fable, a gothic odyssey set on the back roads of Australia’. It’s the story of two kids, thirteen-year-old Jesse and his little sister Rachel, aged eight. They have the kind of mother they’d be better off without. Her name is Gwen.
That’s not me, sitting in judgement. It’s Jesse, who narrates this story, who tells us so. Gwen’s life is a disaster, a...more
In the blurb at Fishpond, it’s described as ‘an epic moral fable, a gothic odyssey set on the back roads of Australia’. It’s the story of two kids, thirteen-year-old Jesse and his little sister Rachel, aged eight. They have the kind of mother they’d be better off without. Her name is Gwen.
That’s not me, sitting in judgement. It’s Jesse, who narrates this story, who tells us so. Gwen’s life is a disaster, a...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I saw Blood while browsing through the 50 Books you Can't Put Down Guide produced by the Get Reading Campaign 2012 and it sounded good but not something I would necessarily be drawn to but as it was also shortlisted for the 2012 Miles Franklin Award, I thought I would give it a go.
I couldn't put it down, it was a very engrossing and also a somewhat harrowing read. Thirteen year old Jesse is the quintessential older brother, sworn to look out for his sister Rachel and protect her as best he can...more
I couldn't put it down, it was a very engrossing and also a somewhat harrowing read. Thirteen year old Jesse is the quintessential older brother, sworn to look out for his sister Rachel and protect her as best he can...more
I had come across Tony Birch during a class last semester on short fiction. We were introduced to Shadowboxing and I was struck by his well written working-class characters and his ability to impart meaning and depth of character in simple things like a father trying to teach his son boxing. It was also a realisation that I was beginning to enjoy this ‘minimalist’ style that I’ve been reading. I was also surprised to find that Blood is Birch’s debut novel, which seems like an inexact label given...more
Blood is the story of two kids - Jesse and his younger sister Rachel. They lie a nomadic and unsettled life with their mother Gwen. Gwen does not keep the best company and her association with Ray leads to the three of them running across the country in the hunt for safety.
Once again Birch's writing pulls the reader right into the story. You are truly there as Jesse tries to protect his little sister. You feel Rachel's continuing devotion to Gwen and at the same time witness Jesse's growing dist...more
Once again Birch's writing pulls the reader right into the story. You are truly there as Jesse tries to protect his little sister. You feel Rachel's continuing devotion to Gwen and at the same time witness Jesse's growing dist...more
This story is told by Jessie, a mature and intelligent thirteen year old boy who single-handedly raised his younger sister Rachel from birth.
Jessie has not had a stable life and is often left alone for long periods of time with his sister, while his delusional mum, Gwen, is sleeping off the effects of drugs or alcohol from last night party or hooking up with shady men. There is hardly any food and they are constantly hungry. As a result they resort to stealing and lying to get by.
It is when his...more
Jessie has not had a stable life and is often left alone for long periods of time with his sister, while his delusional mum, Gwen, is sleeping off the effects of drugs or alcohol from last night party or hooking up with shady men. There is hardly any food and they are constantly hungry. As a result they resort to stealing and lying to get by.
It is when his...more
This book is a raw affecting read. It is narrated by thirteen year old Jesse. Jesse has a strong, almost parental, bond with younger half sister Rachel and a cynical eye for their mother Gwen. The story revolves around the trio, their transient lifestyle and the damaged characters Gwen introduces into the children's lives.
Author Tony Burke is brilliant at using a child's voice to portray this dysfunctional adult world. The book is at once compassionate, suspenseful and tragic.
Whilst I loved thi...more
Author Tony Burke is brilliant at using a child's voice to portray this dysfunctional adult world. The book is at once compassionate, suspenseful and tragic.
Whilst I loved thi...more
Veering across a dusty, parched landscape “Blood” follows thirteen-year-old Jesse and his sister Rachel as they are tugged from home to home by their unstable mother Gwen. Jesse shies away from the notions of home and family, avoiding disappointment, while Rachel clings to it, desperately trying to find something solid. As the clouds gather, waiting to unleash a flood over the barren landscape, these two characters race towards an uncertain end, praying that something will save them.
Read my full...more
Read my full...more
Blood de Tony Birch, Penguin 2011
Indisponible en français
En 2012, ce roman de Tony Birch était nominé pour le Prix Littéraire Miles Franklin qui décerne une distinction à un roman représentant un des aspects de la vie ou de la culture australienne, et pourtant l’Australie n’est pas au cœur du roman. C’est plutôt le manque d’attachement à un endroit « à soi » qui caractérise ce livre.
Jesse 13 ans et Rachel 8 ans sont les protagonistes de Blood. Ils vivent avec leur mère, Gwen. Elle enchaîne les p...more
Indisponible en français
En 2012, ce roman de Tony Birch était nominé pour le Prix Littéraire Miles Franklin qui décerne une distinction à un roman représentant un des aspects de la vie ou de la culture australienne, et pourtant l’Australie n’est pas au cœur du roman. C’est plutôt le manque d’attachement à un endroit « à soi » qui caractérise ce livre.
Jesse 13 ans et Rachel 8 ans sont les protagonistes de Blood. Ils vivent avec leur mère, Gwen. Elle enchaîne les p...more
My heart raced with Jesse, the 13 year old boy main character, I may have even had moments when I stopped breathing. Jesse and his sister, Rachel, became so real to me during the reading of Blood. Jesse is strong and tries so hard to keep himself and his sister together as their mother, Gwen, neglects them for a string of men and drink. Tony Birch, the author portrays their tough life with beauty.
A gritty yet somewhat bleak coming-of-age story, Birch manages to capture the basic nature of the teenage boy while still creating a likeable hero. Though I do wish my 15 year old was as good to his little sister as Jesse is to Rachel!
A little predictable, Blood remains an entertaining read that draws the reader into the desperate existence led by Jesse, Rachel and their mother Gwen.
A little predictable, Blood remains an entertaining read that draws the reader into the desperate existence led by Jesse, Rachel and their mother Gwen.
This is a bleak read, but one worth reading. Well written and engaging, while the story is an extreme case, there is enough simple truths in it to make for a heartbreaking read. The story itself is sad, but what is even sadder is that it's a story that could be the story of so many kids/families around Australia. Bleak reading indeed ... but recommended.
Yes it was suspenseful and I felt uncomfortable throughout the reading. Ending gave me a sense of justice after what the kids had been put through.
I can't imagine what it would be like to be part of a family like this - however I'm sure they do exist - and part of the book was set close to where I live.
I can't imagine what it would be like to be part of a family like this - however I'm sure they do exist - and part of the book was set close to where I live.
Not the sort of thing I'd usually read, but thought I'd have a look due to the Miles Franklin shortlisting. Ripped through it in a night, beautifully written, but not dense and difficult to read like these shortlisted titles often are. Great characters, and vivid Australian setting.
This is a book you can't put down. It's a raw and powerful story of a brother and sister trying to survive life with their deadbeat mother. It's a reminder that not all childhoods are idealistic.
I'm not suprised that Blood was nominated for the Miles Franklin Award and I enjoyed this more than the winner, All That I Am
I'm not suprised that Blood was nominated for the Miles Franklin Award and I enjoyed this more than the winner, All That I Am
Listen to our interview with the author here. Amy selected this as one of her picks of 2011 - read her comments here.
Feb 02, 2013
Ursula
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Ursula by:
Andi Ftw
Shelves:
australian,
crime-thriller
Thrilling read, so hard to put down that I tore through it in a night. Birch really manages to depict milieu and language spoken. I developed strong visual images while reading and believe ‘Blood’ has all the ingredients for a great film. Maybe exactly because the plot is not always plausible, the ending's a tad too dramatic and the characters are very much drawn in black and white.
Attention screenwriters and directors.
Attention screenwriters and directors.
Terrific read, tightly written and compelling. Storyline was a bit predictable at times but really liked the way Birch linked the first and last pages together creating enough ambiguity to keep me thinking after I shut the book.
A real page turner, had trouble putting this one down! Not a book to read if you want an uplifting tale, but still made me feel good about how great these kids were.
This is gripping and smart and steeped in politics and history without bashing you over the head with dogma. Tony Birch writes great sentences.
One of the best Aussie thrillers I have read in ages. Heart aches a bit for the kids, and also for their hopeless mum.
Poverty, creativity, loyalty and the absurd in a gripping Australian page turner. Brilliant
Excellent.Really getting into Australian authors.Couldn't put it down
Book club
Easy read, ending a bit dramatic
Easy read, ending a bit dramatic
I loved this book and its brave children.
An enjoyable and engaging read, but it never rose to great heights for me. The story of two children and their dysfunctional mother stumbling from one bad situation to another is a little depressing, with the extreme drama of the consequences of bad decisions and judgement in the face of needfulness. I found it an interesting social commentary, but as a story, it was a little lacking in plausibility. Another interesting journey into the territory of Miles Franklin shortlisted books!
If not yet recognised as such, this is classic Australiana. A childhood tale of endurance; these kids do it tough. As the story ebbed and flowed between good and evil, happiness and sadness, I longed for each new page to tell me things would work out ok.
Read quickly, enjoyed. Gave it to the teenager.
couldn't put this book down
view 1 comment
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
