I found it a clever book that is more of a galloping read than a story to linger over, although curiously (how apt) the impression of the story, and what isn’t told, is something to ponder long after the book is closed. The story starts with his investigation of who killed a neighbour’s dog but reveals far much more than anyone intended. It is told in the first person perspective of Christopher, a fifteen-year old with Asperger’s Syndrome and the tight viewpoint mirrors his condition. After reading it you can see why – it is a refreshingly unusual story. This novel won the 2003 Whitbread Book of the Year and the 2004 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book. And eventually, George starts speaking to him again… After George dies Blaze attempts to continue the kidnapping, all the while asking George for guidance. He pairs up with a con-artist called George who plans to kidnap a millionaire’s baby and live off the reward money. Blaze is about a mentally challenged man who hasn’t had much luck in life. Richard Bachman books nearly always see life from the bitter slice of the lemon.
This is what happened with Blaze, released alongside Stephen King’s novel ‘Desperation’. To say it touched a nerve for entire generation is an under-statement.įirst published in Great Britain by Hodder & StoughtonĪs much as we are Stephen King’s Constant Readers, he is our Constant Writer, a prolific author who can bring out a book under his name and that of his pseudonym in the same year. ‘Up the Junction’ was awarded the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize, adapted for television, and made into a film. Nell Dunn made her name from writing such truisms, alarming the Establishment. Controversial subjects are brought into the light, such as back-street abortions, slum clearances, living on higher purchase, casual sex, and teenagers with no prospects. This book still has the power to shock now, so I can well imagine it was a bit of an eye-opener back when it was published. There is no real story as such, but each chapter works as a vignette, giving us a glimpse into working-class life. Nell Dunn uses colloquial speech of the time in her sketchy portraits of Battersea residents – girls with scuffed shoes and messy beehives, boys with leather jackets and crow-bars in their back pocket. ‘Up the Junction’ is a slice of gritty sixties realism, far from the beautiful people.
This edition published by Pan Books Ltd, 1966 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark HaddonĪppointment with Death, by Agatha Christieįirst published by MacGibbon & Kee Ltd, 1963 So here are the latest four…īlaze, by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman They have really fallen by the way-side! I keep stacking the books up for when I have time to review them, as I do like keeping a record of what I am reading, but the pile is starting to look the same size as my printer.
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