Customer Reviews

Across the Barricades (Cover to Cover)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I didn't expect to read about Sadie and Kevin, until I got into a local library and saw it by chance.This book, I consider, is the best among the Sadie and Kevin series. They did not kill themselves in order to be together in which I think is a wise thing to do.They had faced reality instead of running away from it and they are really worthy of my admiration. Joan Lingard had indeed made this a very enjoyable series which made me read them over and over again!

I think "Across the barricades" is a very good and exiting book about two young people with big problems. Sometimes you can't imagine that only the religion could be such a big problem. You also won't believe, that there are people who don't like this friendship and that they use weapons against it. It's not only a story - it's true and that's very sad. And it is fantastic that they have the power to go through it. I also like that there are people who have no problems with this relationship and that they help them in these hard times. It's a pitty that this friendly people have to die ... only because one person doesn't like a friendship between a Catholic and a Protestant. But finaly it's a happy ending but you don't know if they will have the chance to live a better life in an other city. I'm glad that my english-teacher had offered me the chance to read this wonderful book in his very interesting english-lessons.

I loved 'across the barricades'! It was really effective and it really brought out all the problems that the Irish government are having at the moment. It was also a very sad love story, like 'Romeo and Juliet',but on this story the ending was beautiful. After our class had read this story in our English lesson they were struggling for words as it was so very emotional. A very well written book,highly recomended.

Rarely do young adult books have the plotting, characterization and gravitas to reach beyond the teen years but Across the Barricades does so beautifully. Written in the early 70's, it really stands the test of time.

Sadie Jackson is a Protestant teen living in Belfast during the upheaval of bombings, barricades and fear. She is spunky, charming, blunt and courageous. She meets her old friend Kevin McCoy by happenstance and the two immediately renew their lapsed friendship. Kevin is a sweet Catholic boy living a few streets away from Sadie but it might as well be a few thousand miles. They both recognize their friendship will not be well received by either of their families.

These two fall in love and their romance is sweet against the nightmarish backdrop of violence around them. Soon, though, neighbors are alerted to their relationship and what is an innocent romance becomes a rallying cry for bigotry and suspicion.

Sadie is unafraid of accusations hurled at her from neighbors but she is worried about Kevin as he faces much more danger than she does in his part of Belfast. Kevin's neighbors see his relationship with Sadie as nothing short of traitorous. Help comes to these two from an unexpected source and amidst all the turmoil they make an oasis of peace but how long can this possibly last?

The author does a fine job of weaving this couple's romance into the story. What is especially well written are the wonderful dialogues between Sadie and Kevin. They interact very realistically and their conversations exhibit the long standing prejudices they have grown up with their entire lives. Kevin and Sadie argue about their faith and Ireland but wonderfully they realize that what binds them together is stronger than what keeps them apart.

this book waz just totally sweet, there were parts in this book that made me laugh and parts that made me cry!
i read it with my class the first time and in my room the second to really relate with it!
read it you won't be disappointed, i recommend it 4 chicks the most!!!

17 year old girl from Belfast/N.Ireland When I first read this book I was nine and could hardly believe that a Protestant could go out with a mick. I really thought they deserved the way they were treated. Now that I'm 17 and in the same situation as the two main characters were I begin to understand...

This book about Kevin and Sadie could be about some of my friends!One of the best books I`ve ever read. The story captures you in it`s own way, and describes how life in Northern Ireland goes, and how it is to grow up in the rough streets of Belfast. Go, Joan!!!!!

handler om kevin og sadi

Bajen tar SM-guld -99

But at least they don't have to kill themselves, but they still are forced to leave. I think this whole series is just brilliant, and has really opened my eyes to what is happening a few years back and a few miles north of me