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Being Billy by Phil Earle
Dec. 16th, 2011 11:48 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
”Faces flashed before my eyes.
And for every face there was a time that they had let me down.
Each punch that landed was revenge, my chance to tell them I hadn’t forgotten what they did.”
Eight years in a care home make Billy Finn a professional lifer. And Billy’s angry – with the system, the social workers and the mother who gave him away.
As far as Billy’s concerned, he’s on his own, his little brother and sister keep him going, though they can’t keep him out of trouble.
But he isn’t being difficult on purpose.
Billy’s just being Billy.
He can’t be anything else.
Can he?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Phil Earle’s debut YA novel is a stunning, heart-breaking, thought-provoking contemporary story that takes an honest look at a teenager in long-term care and his self-destructive behaviour in a way that isn’t apologetic but which has its bleakness tempered by a belief in personal change. I thought it was an incredible read and I’m really looking forward to reading Phil Earle’s next book.
And for every face there was a time that they had let me down.
Each punch that landed was revenge, my chance to tell them I hadn’t forgotten what they did.”
Eight years in a care home make Billy Finn a professional lifer. And Billy’s angry – with the system, the social workers and the mother who gave him away.
As far as Billy’s concerned, he’s on his own, his little brother and sister keep him going, though they can’t keep him out of trouble.
But he isn’t being difficult on purpose.
Billy’s just being Billy.
He can’t be anything else.
Can he?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
Phil Earle’s debut YA novel is a stunning, heart-breaking, thought-provoking contemporary story that takes an honest look at a teenager in long-term care and his self-destructive behaviour in a way that isn’t apologetic but which has its bleakness tempered by a belief in personal change. I thought it was an incredible read and I’m really looking forward to reading Phil Earle’s next book.
