Brixton Rock

Description

"Pacy; witty; his characters are real and recognisable" LINTON KWESI JOHNSON "Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath" KIT DE WAAL "Alex Wheatle writes from a place of honesty and passion" STEVE McQUEEN, director of Small Axe South London in the 1980s. Brenton Brown is a 16-year-old mixed-heritage boy who has lived in a children's home all his life. He has never met his mother and is haunted by her loss. The best thing happens: Brenton is reunited with his mother, Cynthia. And then the worst: he falls in love with his beautiful half-sister, Juliet. At the same time, Brenton meets his nemesis in the shape of Terry Flynn, a killer who scars him for life. Brenton must seek revenge. All this leads to an explosive climax as Brenton struggles to hold on to his sanity. Brixton Rock is the powerfully explosive debut of one of the UK's finest writers, with pitch-perfect descriptions of South London street life.

Alex Wheatle MBE was born in South London in 1963 and is an accomplished and award-winning author of more than a dozen books, including children's and young adult novels. The story of his teenage years was the basis of Steve McQueen's "Alex Wheatle" in the Small Axe series (December 2020), and he has written and performed a play about his life titled Uprising. His novels for adults include the Windrush classic Island Songs, as well as Brixton Rock, Brenton Brown, East of Acre Lane, and Home Boys. His books have been adapted for theatre, radio and film.

Brixton Rock is a pacey document of teenage angst ... which is why the pockets of humour prove to be such a triumph. This is a debut which confirms its author is a pro in prose * The Times * The novel's real strength lies in the dialogue. Wheatle gives us a fascinating snapshot of Black English in the early eighties * Daily Telegraph * Sharp-edged and sardonically funny, Brixton Rock is Graham Greene for the hip-hop generation -- Barry Forshaw * Crime Time * A powerful debut ... a real page turner. The mystery and intrigue just keeps on coming as the suspense builds to an explosive ending * Big Issue * Alex Wheatle's Brixton Rock has initiated the debate on how it feels to be a mixed-race Briton * New Statesman * Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath. It's a pity there's only one of him. -- Kit de Waal Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath. It's a pity there's only one of him. -- Kit de Waal