|
What they say about me
Time Bomb
I'm amazed by this novel. Totally amazed. It is
brilliant. And I don't expect to say that about more than two or three books
in any one year.
Nigel Hinton has written some very good books in the past - the Beaver Towers
sequence for younger readers, his three Buddy books for older readers - but
this book is in another league. It deserves to stand alongside Stephen King's
'The Body' (and the associated film Stand By Me) as one of the best ever
evocations of young male group friendship, but where it impresses most is in
its darker moments. Set in the summer of 1949, the novel kicks off on a sour
note, when the boys, in their final days at primary school, lose all respect
for their favourite teacher, Miss Carver. It's the beginning of a slide in
respect for adults generally, poignantly focused on the main character's
cumulative discoveries of his father's failings. The flawed character of the
film-fanatic father (manager of a greyhound stadium) and the theatrically
impressive young Oswald Mosely supporter, whom two of the four boys befriend,
are both wonderful fictional creations; but in truth every character in this
novel is vividly conveyed, not least the vicar, let down by the boys when they
fail to sing in the choir for their headmaster's wedding. In my mind's eye I
can see this book with illustrations by Raymond Briggs. It is written with the
immediacy of actual experience, so that at the end readers will ask
themselves, 'Was it the author who had these experiences?', which is testimony
to the power of the writing.
Hinton is one of those authors who have produced work steadily, but not
prolifically. He has won some regional awards, but not, to my knowledge, any
of the major children's literary prizes. That should, by rights, change with
this title which, if judges have any judgement at all, is destined at least to
appear on several shortlists.
"From the Achuka Website"
"Hinton is clever at mixing spookiness with
gentle satire." Independent on Sunday
"Compassionately written, genuinely moving...
highly recommended." School Librarian on Buddy
"A tough, penetrating, and finally optimistic
book." British Book News on Buddy
"A fast moving and absorbing story of breaking
free and staying loyal." TES on Buddy's Song
"A marvellously original story, both spooky and
comical." Northern Echo on The Finders
"(The Finders is) a spooky, engrossing spine
chiller." 100 Best Books 1995 (Young Book Trust)
"The plot is pacey and unpredictable... I really
could not put it down." The Bookseller on Out of the Darkness
"In Out of the Darkness, Nigel Hinton has
written a fast-moving, nail-biting, romantic adventure." TES
“A moving and thought-provoking tale.”
Federation of Children’s Book Groups’ Pick of the Year on Out of the
Darkness
“A gripping read with a strong plot… very
exciting with moments of real suspense and fear.” School Librarian on Out
of the Darkness
AWARDS
Silver Pen Award (Holland) for Collision Course
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Buddy The Children's Book Award
(Shorter Novels category) 1994 for The Finders The Lancashire Children's Book
of the Year 1999 for Out of the Darkness
|
