Nick's review
Black Swan Green
by David Mitchell
Nick's review
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell
Nick's review
rating:
Readers of David Mitchell's previous books (and in particular the most recent, Cloud Atlas) might come to this book expecting something equally epic. Another grand work which truly stretches the imagination. If this is the case then I imagine they may be disappointed with the somewhat lesser scale of Black Swan Green, which charts the trials and tribulations of Jason Taylor, thirteen year old resident of the eponymous village.
It's a story filled with the average anxieties of a thirteen year old (bullies, schoolwork and girls) but compounded by his parents shaky relationship and the fact that he stammers.
As would be expected Mitchell has toned down his words to suit the protagonist but still cannot help throwing in some of his usual delightful imagery and wordplay, as well as references to characters from previous books, in particular the composer Robert Frobisher from Cloud Atlas, whose symphony features during a key scene.
As with Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green follows a set...more
It's a story filled with the average anxieties of a thirteen year old (bullies, schoolwork and girls) but compounded by his parents shaky relationship and the fact that he stammers.
As would be expected Mitchell has toned down his words to suit the protagonist but still cannot help throwing in some of his usual delightful imagery and wordplay, as well as references to characters from previous books, in particular the composer Robert Frobisher from Cloud Atlas, whose symphony features during a key scene.
As with Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green follows a set...more
