Customer Reviews

Deadkidsongs

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Toby Litt is considered to be, by many critics, the best english author of the new english (young) prose. And this book represents him in the best light that it can. This is the story about four boys the live and grow in the small town in England called Amplewick. It's the story of their growth, both physical, and pshychological, it's the story of the obsession with war, obsessions with fight, and most of all it is the story of broken ideals, of friendship raised in an unnatural circumstances, and last but but not the least, it is the story of lack of communication, and of effects that it can have on unprepared minds (and who could ever be prepared for such thing).
Written in two sepparate forms, of retospective monologue, and storyteling with spotlight on one of the main characters (spotlight changes as novel progresses), with excellent language skills, and nostalgic sidenote, mixed with fury which cannot be witheld inside himself (author has integrated himself in his character), this is indeed example of good literature.
Though maybe not so hard to understand as some of the recent alegoric novels, this book keeps his reader constantly on the seat, not with the story but more with the growing feeling of discomfort, and perverse anticipation of "what will happen next and why at all would I want to know that?"
Masterpiece of it's own, everyone should try to read it and to understand it. It is not just plain writting without anything behind the words which became very popular in modern literature. But deffinitely it is not a book for summer vacation, or a light break from work. It is a book that needs to be enjoyed upon.

The reader is warned in the preamble that two of the chief protagonists will be dead by the conclusion, but this in no way spoils the tension in Litt's minor masterpiece. Litt cleverly taps into the egotistical psyche of the bully as well as the subservient and machiavellian interests that comprise the timebomb that is "Gang". The draconian rules invented by the members of Gang reflect a strict hierachy and exaggerated sense of honour and discipline, influenced by the military. In a fantasy world, where each Gang member yearns to die a hero in defence of mother England, grown-ups are perceived as the enemy. The one exception being Andrew's dad - the "best father", whose appalling abusive behaviour is glorified by the boys. Ringing faint echoes of "Lord of the Flies", the unsettling sense of impending doom in Deadkidsongs builds in a most compelling manner until the bloody conclusion. Whilst more than half expected, the pay-off is in no way diminished and is suitably satisfying and shocking. A few moments of gawky adolescent humour thankfully intersperse the mostly grim and cruel prose. The frequent switching of narrator generally worked well although, on occasion, produced a slightly frustrating lack of momentum.

A very powerful and memorable book, which I recommend to everyone, except those easily upset by deliberate cruelty.

Toby Litt's use of the English language is nothing short of perfect. However, a book about 4 young boys growing up together and which tells you in the foreward that 2 of them will be dead by the end of the story, is overpowering stuff to say the least.
I found it absolutely fascinating reading although very cruel in parts. His portrayal of the"best father" who is in reality a wife-beating, son-beating bully and coward, is very good indeed. The boys hold him in awe for his war skills and do not see the horrible man inside. Litt manages to round out his characters and, in particular, we see the growth of the four different main characters coming to life. I am looking forward to reading more of Litt's books.