'A-S-B-O - you think that makes you special. But it doesn't. It means you were stupid enough to get caught, that's all. I should have one. I should have the biggest ASBO there is. I want a poster with my face on.' When JB is served with an ASBO for joy-riding and sent to paint beach huts for the summer in Kent, it looks as if he has a chance to turn his life around. But then he encounters Moey and his gang, and his future seems to hang in the balance. Separated from his mother and under a strict curfew, only his attraction to Sal seems to give him a reason to keep going. But a storm is coming that threatens to shatter his hopes and destroy the relationship that could redeem him.
Asboville
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'An excellent debut novel, definitely in my top ten of the year.' -- Scott Pack, The Bookseller
'Finely crafted and often lyrical debut novel . . . JB shakes
hands across time with Dickens's Pip. Let's have a sequel soonish.'
-- Boyd Tonkin, The Independent, 10 Nov 2006
'Gripping' -- Sinead Hanna, Kent on Sunday, 29/10/06
'Rhodes asks important questions about social justice, but also
tells a compelling human story. An impressive debut' -- Mary Fitzgerald, New Statesman. 20 October 2006
`Moving and atmospheric, this coming-of-age tale also has
political bite . . . freshness and insight' -- Rachel Hore, Guardian, 21 October 2006
‘An excellent debut novel, definitely in my top ten of the year’ -- Scott Pack, The Bookseller
'Finely crafted and often lyrical debut novel . . . JB shakes
hands across time with Dickens's Pip. Let's have a sequel soonish.'
-- Boyd Tonkin, The Independent, 10 Nov 2006
'Gripping' -- Sinead Hanna, Kent on Sunday, 29/10/06
'Rhodes asks important questions about social justice, but also
tells a compelling human story. An impressive debut' -- Mary Fitzgerald, New Statesman. 20 October 2006
`Moving and atmospheric, this coming-of-age tale also has
political bite . . . freshness and insight' -- Rachel Hore, Guardian, 21 October 2006
‘An excellent debut novel, definitely in my top ten of the year’ -- Scott Pack, The Bookseller
From the Author
I wrote 'Asboville' because I wanted to give a voice to those teenagers who are being pushed towards the margins of our society by the introduction of Anti-Social Behavioural Orders.
I also wanted to write a teenage love story in a natural setting.
I loved writing the book. I hope you enjoy JB's story.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By T. Gatti
Format:Paperback
Like a modern English version of S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders, this is an excellent, tightly-written novel for teenagers about the rough life of JB, 16-year-old boy sent away from his urban estate to live with his uncle by the sea. JB's voice - frustrated, inarticulate and defensive but sensitive and searching too - rings true, and his story unfolds in a realistic, haphazard way. Without being teachy or preachy, or idealising his characters - some of whom are plain thugs - Danny Rhodes shows how difficult it is for teens to overcome disadvantage, and how easily they can become unthinking adults' scapegoats.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Danny Rhodes' (not to be confused with the wonderful Dan Rhodes) Asboville is a determined attempt at seeing the world through the eyes of a disaffected 16-year-old and he has certainly created a likeable and sympathetic character that still manages to live up to some yobbish stereotypes. Excuses are made and explanations given, but not too many - sometimes JB's actions are simply down to him; no logic, rhyme or reason and that's his prerogative.
Rhodes states that he "wanted to give a voice to those teenagers who are being pushed towards the margins of our society by the introduction of Anti-Social Behavioural Orders", but he seems to walk the fence on the effectiveness of ASBOs; there is a really well-written and moving scene in which JB's mother berates the local authorities for vilifying and criminalising her son and shames the hypocritical residents of the estate yet, in the end, JB (and his family) do make it good as a direct result of the penalties enforced.
Although it really wasn't at all long ago, I have no idea what it is like to be a teenager in the 21st Century, but imagine that in many ways it hasn't changed too much. On the basis of that, the language used by the children is a little restrained which perhaps takes away from the credibility of JB's voice.
I really enjoyed Asboville and enjoyed JB's story (I see room for a sequel), but I'm not quite sure if there is an intended readership - Danny Rhodes is an English teacher and, at times, I couldn't help but feel that he was writing for a teenage reader... which is no bad thing. I do hope we see more from Danny Rhodes.
Rhodes states that he "wanted to give a voice to those teenagers who are being pushed towards the margins of our society by the introduction of Anti-Social Behavioural Orders", but he seems to walk the fence on the effectiveness of ASBOs; there is a really well-written and moving scene in which JB's mother berates the local authorities for vilifying and criminalising her son and shames the hypocritical residents of the estate yet, in the end, JB (and his family) do make it good as a direct result of the penalties enforced.
Although it really wasn't at all long ago, I have no idea what it is like to be a teenager in the 21st Century, but imagine that in many ways it hasn't changed too much. On the basis of that, the language used by the children is a little restrained which perhaps takes away from the credibility of JB's voice.
I really enjoyed Asboville and enjoyed JB's story (I see room for a sequel), but I'm not quite sure if there is an intended readership - Danny Rhodes is an English teacher and, at times, I couldn't help but feel that he was writing for a teenage reader... which is no bad thing. I do hope we see more from Danny Rhodes.
By Barclays
Format:Paperback
Personally, I thought it was rubbish. Just seemed like recycled material from other rubbish books. Didn't rev my engine at all.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
