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.The Dirty South

by: Alex Wheatle

April 03, 2008
This is a must read for anyone who wants to start to understand the youth culture that has led to so many stabbings and shootings in London in recent months. Written in Alex's usual gripping and immediate style I was grabbed by the narrative right from the start. The "street language" can be challenging, but you soon get used to it (and if you're like me have to be careful not to start using it yourself!). Alex lives within the community about which he writes and clearly has observed the culture he talks about first hand. Keenly observed and with strong characterisation you get caught up with the action and live the events, so as the action unfolds you start to understand the main character's motivation. If you enjoy this you ought to read ... Read More:
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Used Price: £8.17

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.East of Acre Lane

by: Alex Wheatle

February 04, 2002
I read this book about a year and a half ago...it was awesome, similar vibe to 'The Scholar' and 'Society Within', this reminiscent book takes us on a journey of life on East Acre Lane. I was only 18 when i read this and i recommend it to all young people.
Another great book, proving Black British fiction is continuing to up the standards!
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Used Price: £2.25

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.Island Songs

by: Alex Wheatle

May 22, 2006
I was in my local library one day and just picked this up because of the cover, never heard of the author but after Island Songs i will be reading much more by Alex Wheatle. My parents came to England in the sixties and every part of Island Songs is their story from back home in Jamaica to England. My dad told me the exact stories as Alex wrote, and the Jamaican partois is great. I laughed so much. My husband is Turkish and i read extracts from the book to him and there is one powerful incident in the book that made us choke up emotionally it was very moving,i cried tears. Please get this book, thoroughly enjoyable.
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Used Price: £2.49

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.Brixton Rock

by: Alex Wheatle

January 01, 2004
A Ross's review is rather brutal on this first novel by Alex Wheatle. I personally enjoyed Brighton Rock and was intrigued by the parallels and similarities. A boy posing as a man is probably a good description of a lot of young men in S London, who find themselves having to take on a particular persona at an increasingly young age. And given the background of the central character who grew up in a children's home without know his parents, is it surprising that his character is unformed, and he is rootless and unfocused in his life. I found it fascinating to watch Brenton develop as a person as well as a character in this book. Yes the writing is simple. Try reading Island Songs to see how Alex has developed as a writer!
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Used Price: £1.50

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.East of Acre Lane

by: Alex Wheatle

March 06, 2006
I read this book about a year and a half ago...it was awesome, similar vibe to 'The Scholar' and 'Society Within', this reminiscent book takes us on a journey of life on East Acre Lane. I was only 18 when i read this and i recommend it to all young people.
Another great book, proving Black British fiction is continuing to up the standards!
>>See More Reviews & Details on East of Acre Lane

Used Price: £3.19

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.Checkers

by: Alex Wheatle, Mark Parham

July 01, 2003
Ecellent! Okay, I'm not a big fan of crime novels but this book was good because it used all the traditional crime themes in a realistic way rather than just cliches. Reading this book is going to be a shock for the kind of people who think crime is somehow glamerous, the diamonds that the two gangs are pursuing are the only sparkley thing you'll find in these pages. It's a multiauthor and I was a bit worried that I'd see the joins in the writing, but no fears there as it was seamless. Oh, and you know those trite blurbs that say "I couldn't put it down"? Well I pretty much couldn't put it down, sorry!
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Used Price: £2.77

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.Brixton Rock

by: Alex Wheatle

February 01, 1999
A Ross's review is rather brutal on this first novel by Alex Wheatle. I personally enjoyed Brighton Rock and was intrigued by the parallels and similarities. A boy posing as a man is probably a good description of a lot of young men in S London, who find themselves having to take on a particular persona at an increasingly young age. And given the background of the central character who grew up in a children's home without know his parents, is it surprising that his character is unformed, and he is rootless and unfocused in his life. I found it fascinating to watch Brenton develop as a person as well as a character in this book. Yes the writing is simple. Try reading Island Songs to see how Alex has developed as a writer!
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Used Price: £0.94

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.Island Songs

by: Alex Wheatle

June 20, 2005
I was in my local library one day and just picked this up because of the cover, never heard of the author but after Island Songs i will be reading much more by Alex Wheatle. My parents came to England in the sixties and every part of Island Songs is their story from back home in Jamaica to England. My dad told me the exact stories as Alex wrote, and the Jamaican partois is great. I laughed so much. My husband is Turkish and i read extracts from the book to him and there is one powerful incident in the book that made us choke up emotionally it was very moving,i cried tears. Please get this book, thoroughly enjoyable.
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Used Price: £5.99

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.The Seven Sisters

by: Alex Wheatle

August 05, 2002
This book has been written in a sensitive and extremely charming manner. It takes a number of difficult issues and deals with them intelligently.

This could have so easily been a depressing book to read, and whilst it was sad, it was also very funny and heartwarming. I laughed, cried and cheered out loud.

Alex has captured the era so perfectly. I felt as though I was there. Thank you.
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Used Price: £9.00

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.Redemption song

by: Alex Wheatle, Nicolas Richard

January 10, 2003
This book has been written in a sensitive and extremely charming manner. It takes a number of difficult issues and deals with them intelligently.

This could have so easily been a depressing book to read, and whilst it was sad, it was also very funny and heartwarming. I laughed, cried and cheered out loud.

Alex has captured the era so perfectly. I felt as though I was there. Thank you.
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