I picked this book up at an airport this afternoon and had it read by the time the plane landed. I couldn't put it down. The voice of the main character, Harrison, was so engaging - full of innocence, humor, enthusiasm and childlike compassion. The story is set in England, in filthy tenement houses that are filled with violence. The violence almost becomes its own character in how it influences story and character development. It is a way of viewing the world, and also a tool for surviving it. After reading PIGEON ENGLISH I couldn't help but question the role of violence in our society, which I think is a powerful aspect of the book.

One of the reasons I was initially drawn to the book was the cover's comparison between PIGEON ENGLISH and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. The voicings of the protagonists are similar, but I felt that the issue of violence and the plight of the poor immigrant which dominated the book made it more similar to LITTLE BEE by Chris Cleve or THE GIRL WHO FELL FROM THE SKY by Heidi Durrow. It even reminded me of Andre Dubus III's recent memoir, TOWNIE. Particularly knowing that the events were based on the true story of a young Nigerian boy named Damilola Taylor.

It isn't a book I would recommend to everyone. Kelman vividly captures the filth of tenement living, from the language to the stairwells filled with urine and used needles. It feels very real throughout - never indulgent or titillating - but the content can be disturbing at times.