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cathdm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wonderful. Heartbreaking.
kiraascottie's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Found the writing unnecessarily convoluted at times but nonetheless it was such an enjoyable and heartbreaking read! Puir wee Tom Curdie
Found the writing unnecessarily convoluted at times but nonetheless it was such an enjoyable and heartbreaking read! Puir wee Tom Curdie
tildafin16's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
ecjl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Heartbreaking.
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the story of what happens when teacher Charlie decides to take one of his brightest but most troubled and deprived pupils, Tom, on holiday with his family. Set in the 50's, the story takes us from a school in the East End of Glasgow, to the depths of a city slum where Tom lives, and then to the Argyll seaside where the drama really takes place. Tom struggles to assimilate into a middle class holiday, Charlie's children do not warm to him, and the adults (Charlie's wife and mother-in-law) are stacked against the idea from the beginning. Things do not go the way Charlie has hoped, and the result is devastating.
I really enjoyed this book, from so many angles and on so many levels. As a story, it's well paced and the writing is flawless. The characters are really well developed, and the ending left me speechless. As a resident of a similar "doon the watter" town where Glaswegians used to spend their holidays, and being really familiar with Dunoon (which I think Dunroth is based on) and Rothesay, it was a joy to read this slice of history which is so personal. My parents are babies of 50's Glasgow and my dad had similar holidays, so this was such a visceral read for me.
But more than anything, this is such a keen look at performative altruism and the damage that can be done by taking the "white knight" approach to those who live in poverty and deprivation. Particularly taking someone vulnerable out of their environment and expecting them to seamlessly assimilate. Charlie had good intentions, but the benevolence he extends doesn't go far enough as to create any sort of bond with Tom which could have made the situation much better for all involved. His choice of Tom as his beneficiary is likely more down to how it will reflect on him, and this is really shown in how he reacts when confronted by another boy from the slums, who he leaves to trail behind him like a dog and muses that if he actually were a dog he would throw stones at him to chase him off. When the whole family is confronted with the reality of Tom's background, we really see the attitudes that have made it so difficult for them to actually do any good for Tom. And I don't judge them for that, as gulf between them is massive and it's likely they've never been exposed to such different circumstances, but it acts as a perfect example as to why Charlie was never equipped for his act of charity. It serves to underline the importance of systemic change as opposed to hobbyist philanthropy.
This is the first Robin Jenkins' book I've read, but it wont be the last.
I really enjoyed this book, from so many angles and on so many levels. As a story, it's well paced and the writing is flawless. The characters are really well developed, and the ending left me speechless. As a resident of a similar "doon the watter" town where Glaswegians used to spend their holidays, and being really familiar with Dunoon (which I think Dunroth is based on) and Rothesay, it was a joy to read this slice of history which is so personal. My parents are babies of 50's Glasgow and my dad had similar holidays, so this was such a visceral read for me.
But more than anything, this is such a keen look at performative altruism and the damage that can be done by taking the "white knight" approach to those who live in poverty and deprivation. Particularly taking someone vulnerable out of their environment and expecting them to seamlessly assimilate. Charlie had good intentions, but the benevolence he extends doesn't go far enough as to create any sort of bond with Tom which could have made the situation much better for all involved. His choice of Tom as his beneficiary is likely more down to how it will reflect on him, and this is really shown in how he reacts when confronted by another boy from the slums, who he leaves to trail behind him like a dog and muses that if he actually were a dog he would throw stones at him to chase him off. When the whole family is confronted with the reality of Tom's background, we really see the attitudes that have made it so difficult for them to actually do any good for Tom. And I don't judge them for that, as gulf between them is massive and it's likely they've never been exposed to such different circumstances, but it acts as a perfect example as to why Charlie was never equipped for his act of charity. It serves to underline the importance of systemic change as opposed to hobbyist philanthropy.
This is the first Robin Jenkins' book I've read, but it wont be the last.
ettegoom's review against another edition
4.0
A really good book - highly recommend for anyone with an interest in sociology, human behaviour etc.
milesjmoran's review against another edition
4.0
Tom knew very well that the majority of children were far more fortunate than he, but he had never envied them. Envy, like pity, was not in his creed. What he hoped to do or to become was apart altogether from what others did or became. To have been envious would have been to become involved and so weakened. His success, if ever it came, must owe nothing to anyone.
This novel is a really fascinating look at empathy; whether it comes from a place of genuine care and interest or for underlying selfish reasons to illustrate one’s own goodness. Jenkins brilliantly captures this complex issue through his characters as we watch their perspectives continually shift, from black to white and rarely grey. Through their eyes, Tom Curdie moves from being an innocent trapped in terrible circumstances to a duplicitous, untrustworthy character set out to deceive and ultimately harm them. We see the characters veer from one extreme to the other, and we see them fail Tom over and over again. We also have to scrutinise the motives of characters like Mr Forbes, as we ascertain whether he is just that naive to think he can change a young working class boy’s life by giving him a glimpse of middle class experience or if he’s merely doing it to look like a good person.
It’s a really tragic story of how those in poverty are demonised or made into these figures of pity, who are so ignorant and merely need to be shown the good side of life (i.e nice clothes, pretty surroundings and food) to change their ways. Tom is rarely given the opportunity to speak, as he conceals his emotions not only from the other characters but from the reader as well, which forces the reader to read between the lines and form their own opinions.
While some aspects of the story were complex, others felt a little two dimensional to me, particularly in the portrayal of Tom’s family, who are only depicted as slurring, grotesque creatures with missing teeth, terrible skin conditions and foul smell. Not all of it felt honest to me, which marred my feelings towards this book a little but it’s still an excellent novel that encourages its reader to think and unravel things for themselves.
This novel is a really fascinating look at empathy; whether it comes from a place of genuine care and interest or for underlying selfish reasons to illustrate one’s own goodness. Jenkins brilliantly captures this complex issue through his characters as we watch their perspectives continually shift, from black to white and rarely grey. Through their eyes, Tom Curdie moves from being an innocent trapped in terrible circumstances to a duplicitous, untrustworthy character set out to deceive and ultimately harm them. We see the characters veer from one extreme to the other, and we see them fail Tom over and over again. We also have to scrutinise the motives of characters like Mr Forbes, as we ascertain whether he is just that naive to think he can change a young working class boy’s life by giving him a glimpse of middle class experience or if he’s merely doing it to look like a good person.
It’s a really tragic story of how those in poverty are demonised or made into these figures of pity, who are so ignorant and merely need to be shown the good side of life (i.e nice clothes, pretty surroundings and food) to change their ways. Tom is rarely given the opportunity to speak, as he conceals his emotions not only from the other characters but from the reader as well, which forces the reader to read between the lines and form their own opinions.
While some aspects of the story were complex, others felt a little two dimensional to me, particularly in the portrayal of Tom’s family, who are only depicted as slurring, grotesque creatures with missing teeth, terrible skin conditions and foul smell. Not all of it felt honest to me, which marred my feelings towards this book a little but it’s still an excellent novel that encourages its reader to think and unravel things for themselves.
ketisfolk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lydt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5