Now this book was a breath of fresh air. With how many books by David Mitchell books I have, I would have thought that I would have read one by now, but admittingly, Black Swan Green was the first.
Jason Taylor is a thirteen year old with a stammering problem and a slowly crumbling family who gives us a year of his life, telling us about major moments that leave lasting marks on the people around him and himself. It was on the smaller side, but I think that plays so well into Jason’s character, someone who hides parts of himself because of the savage hierarchy of school, but the things that are shared are of youth, innocence, growth, and goodness and compassion that are hidden by a layer of attempted badass. That is to be a fresh teenager, though; you are either just starting to, or are in the middle of figuring out what kind of person you want to be.
I really liked that even though there was so much 80s British slang going on that I could not understand a hefty chunk of what was being said, it still never deterred me from getting the context of what was happening, or kept me from moving forward in the plots. I will say, there is to me an ungodly amount of apostrophes in Black Swan Green, I would jokingly wonder if I was just reading a Danielewski book.
Personally [Spoiler], I am glad Jason did not succumb to the succubus called Dawn Madden. I think with how much he expressed the need to climb the tier system at school to survive, he would have given up things more than he would have wanted, to be realistic. I am a little disappointed in the way that he treats Moron, but again, it is realistic school popularity tier climbing.
I would seriously read this again as well as, obviously, recommending it to others. If you want Black Swan Green, you will be able to find it here.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Enjoy the time you have with family and friends. I am thankful for all of you who show their support in my slow growth as a book reviewer.
10/10
Chofa Times on the Chofa 