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The Knife That Killed Me (Definitions) Paperback – 6 Feb 2014

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Anthony McGowan (Author)
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Anthony McGowan (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 15 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Definitions (Young Adult) (6 Feb. 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1862306060
  • ISBN-13: 978-1862306066
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 1.6 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 164,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

"Every writer hates to hear the words "stunning new talent" applied to someone else, but in the case of Anthony McGowan nothing else will do" (Meg Rosoff)

"Combining brief flashes of ironic humour with the unstoppable momentum of unfolding tragedy, this sadly timely book offers a cogent reminder of the far-reaching consequences of knife violence" (Kate Agnew Guardian)

"This fast-paced topical novel stands out . . . McGowan does not let us down lightly and ends the book with a twist that will leave even teenage boys gasping" (Daily Telegraph)

"What makes you sit up is that its author, Anthony McGowan is one of the most talented new writers around" (The Times)

"The narrative skilfully captures the casual violence and shifting loyalties of teen life, while constantly throwing off your expectations about what happens next. Anthony McGowan is a major talent" (Robert Muchamore)

Review

The story of how Paul, the narrator, is dragged into using a knife by Roth, a bullying teenager he fears and hates, is gripping, but what makes you sit up is that its author, Anthony McGowan, is one of the most talented new writers around

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Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsExcellent, thought-provoking read
By I Read, Therefore I Blog VINE VOICE on 23 Dec. 2008
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
When Paul stands up to school bully Roth, Roth encourages him to join his gang, giving him a knife as a sweetener to the deal. At the same time, Paul becomes friendly with the school freaks - geeks, goths and nerds, led by the charismatic Shane - and is attracted to Maddy, a bright girl in the group who seems to like him. Torn between the violent Roth and too-cool Shane, Paul also finds himself sucked into the rivalry between Roth and Goddo, gang leader at a rival school, which eventually erupts in violence and his own death.

Paul's characterisation is excellent and it's easy to see how he ended up in a situation he didn't want to be in. Weak-willed, lost and lonely, he's looking for somewhere to belong and the intimidating Roth's offer of friendship would give him an identity within the school. Shane however offers him a chance to be valued for himself and the confidence that this gives Paul seems to give him some much needed hope.

McGowan teases out the tension - although you think you know how this is going to end, it doesn't detract from Paul's story - and there's a heart-breaking moment mid-way through the book involving Paul's plan for a date with Maddy, which could easily descend into cliche, but for Paul's voice which keeps you rooting for him all the way.

However I wasn't convinced by Shane who's a little too good to be true (contrast with Roth who, while completely vile, is always credible). McGowan tries to offset this by giving Paul a rival for Shane's attention in the sly Kirk, who's constantly trying to do him down but I still didn't quite feel that I knew who Shane was except for how other characters saw him.

Although the ending doesn't pull its punches, it still feels a little rushed and more could have been made of the consequences.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsGripping and thought-provoking thriller
By H. Abe on 21 April 2012
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The Knife That Killed Me is a gripping page turner with intriguing and dynamic characters, thought-provoking story and a chilling theme.
This book is so much more than just a "topical story of one boy's spiral into knife-crime ". Everything portrayed in the book is eerily familiar - the pressure of adolescence, the sense of isolation and the struggle to "fit in" (or the opposite), love/hate relationship you have with your family as a teenager. We have all been there. Most of us survived and came out from the other end of the tunnel as adults, looking back and smiling at our naive teenage selves. Some, however, didn't.
The author's razor sharp insight of adolescent lives and the delicately skilful and believable portrayal of the characters, the protagonist and story teller Paul Varderman in particular, will draw you right into their world where everything is either swim or sink. I highly recommend this gem of a book to people of all ages.
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5.0 out of 5 starsGreat teenage read.
By PageSlave on 12 Aug. 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
My kid hates reading. I have tried almost every popular teenage book you can think of to entice but to no avail. I came across this book after surfing social media and decided to try it out. Just two days later, the book had been finished, which is virtually unheard of. It's a shame some of this authors books are out of stock, we are currently awaiting patiently for more titles to become available. (Side note: I contacted this author on social media to ask a few questions about the book, as the contents are grizzly and deal with real life issues the youth of today face. He was very pleasant, cordial and offered some wisdom about this story. What a nice chap.)
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5.0 out of 5 starsUn-put-downable!
By shazzamatazz26@hotmail.com on 22 Mar. 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
From its beginnings in a grey place to the very last word, this book held me spellbound. McGowan makes use of every single word, nothing is wasted. It is a definite 'must read' and should be a set text in all secondary schools, both because of the subject matter tackled and because it's totally awesome!
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4.0 out of 5 starsA well written and constructed book
By Matthew Parker on 2 May 2012
Format: Paperback
This is from my 13 year old son:

When Paul stands up to school bully Roth, Roth asks him to join his gang. At the same time, Paul becomes friendly with the "freaks" and is attracted to Maddy, a girl in the group who seems to like him. Torn between the violent Roth and Maddy, Paul also finds himself sucked into the rivalry between Roth and Goddo, a gang leader at a rival school which leads to Paul's own death.

A well constructed book which sheds light on a number of issues from gang violence and knife crime. Well written and realistic.
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4.0 out of 5 starsthought-provoking, sign of the times...
By Els De Clercq on 15 Aug. 2011
Format: Paperback
According to KnifeCrimes.Org, a charity, supported by a.o. the UK Home Office, "A knife incident happens every 25 minutes - 4 in 5 offenders aged between 12 years - 20 years and a third of victims aged between 10 years - 17 years." With more and more children and teenagers carrying a knife when going to school, Anthony McGowan's third novel seems to be a sign of the times, a warning as well as a message. Almost completely devoid of all of the humor and wit that was characteristic of Henry Tumour, The Knife that Killed Me, nevertheless feels as poignant.

The central storyline is that of Paul Varderman, who could be your average teenager, trying to stay under the radar at school so as not to be picked upon, bullied... or worse, by the school baddie, Roth. He fails miserably. Paul both hates and admires Roth and gets sucked in by his scare tactics: "Roth was someone I hated, should have hated, more than any other person. Hated because he was a bad kid, cruel and vindictive. The kind of kid who would beat another to a pulp and then piss n his face. The kind of kid who would get his thicko mates to throw chewing gum in my hair to help pass the time in a boring geography lesson. But all he had to do was say those simple words [that Paul was thinking and using his brain] to me, and I was happy." (p.43) When Paul is given a knife by Roth, the already menacing story takes on an even more urgent tone, urgent in an almost fatalistic way. There are only a few outcomes to this story, but none of them can ever be happy.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsWow

A fascinating and emotional read that, despite some over-exaggerations as to school life, managed to be a brilliant dive into the mind of a fourteen year old boy.

Published 11 months ago by Oscar Kirk
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

A well written story of bullying with the power to shock!

Published 17 months ago by stalker
5.0 out of 5 starsThanks!

Book as described and quick delivery.

Published 19 months ago by Library Louise
4.0 out of 5 starsA dark, brutally honest story.

A dark, brutally honest story with a message, a very strong message that the level of violence can escalate within seconds when a weaA dark, brutally honest story with a messagepon... Read more

Published 21 months ago by Sue Holmes @Crushingcinders
5.0 out of 5 starsAn unsettlingly great read that gets right under your skin

An utterly compelling book with well-drawn characters who leap off the page and into your imagination. Read more

Published on 30 Jan. 2010 by Teen fictionista
5.0 out of 5 starsCompellingly topical read

Anthony McGowan has penned an absorbing and chilling novel which is both a warning against the menace that knives are in today's teenage culture, and a study of alienation and... Read more

Published on 20 Sept. 2009 by Captain Pugwash
5.0 out of 5 starsGripping thriller by the writer of Henry Tumour

This book is an easier read than Anthony McGowan's previous books, Hellbent and Henry Tumour, but it is nevertheless challenging to any teenager's moral code. Read more

Published on 21 Jun. 2008 by lilysmum

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