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sadhecrts's review against another edition
4.5
“It’s not that shite being Scottish, Irvine.” COULDNAE HAVE SAID IT BETTER MASELF.
as someone from bellshill reading this in my fourth year of an english degree, it was very very appreciated.
as someone from bellshill reading this in my fourth year of an english degree, it was very very appreciated.
kookikrissie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
wintrovia's review against another edition
5.0
A coming of age story about a young man that is involved in the gang culture in a Scottish housing scheme. It's brutal, unpleasant but enjoyable to read anyway. It was no surprise to read in the author blurb that Armstrong was inspired to write after reading Irvine Welsh as there are lots of similarities between the two but that's not a bad thing in my opinion.
persephonexxvi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
5.0
This coming of age story is a debut from the author and gives voice to some of the boys and young men in central Scotland. Seeking security and friendship with the Young Team we witness Azzy Williams find his feet and start to understand the norms of gang culture in his local community. However, this is so much more, it's a multi-layered story and Azzy’s journey takes the reader through an energetic, at times frenetic read with both tension and humour and wit flung in there for good measure.
This book, written in local dialect allowed me to immerse myself in the lives of the characters, I read at the same time listening to the author narrating his own work which I think was such a great experience for me. I was watching these characters navigate the community they were brought up in and as a resident of North Lanarkshire I recognised so many of the boys on the pages and the setting was so familiar. “the Campsies” seen from my bedroom window are always there and Armstrong is bang on when he describes them as a sense of navigation in and out of Glasgow from this side of the city.
Azzy and his Young Team provide a sense of belonging for each other as they share experiences in drink, drugs, raves, and violence. Within are some of the best descriptions I have read about the impact of drugs on a person's body and mind and made from some devastating reading. However, there was such humour in the writing, the patter, the clothes, the “sheepy sheep”, the “jaggies” are amongst some of the bits that made me laugh out loud.
There are so many social themes in this book. Poverty, drugs, alcohol. violence, mental health, family, community, territory, working-class experiences, west of Scotland masculinity – such a backdrop to Azzy Williams’ personal journey. I am still thinking about Azzy’s inner thoughts and emotions and his understanding of himself and those around him, they are not what many people assume boys like Azzy are like. As a teacher in this area, I have seen the potential in many real life Azzys, I have believed in their potential and told them I believed, in the hope that they would listen. There is hope in this book, there are good people who only want the best for their friends and families, they understand to love them is to let them go.
I feel quite sad to be leaving Azzy Williams, he has left an imprint on my heart. I hope he is living his best life wherever that may be.
This book, written in local dialect allowed me to immerse myself in the lives of the characters, I read at the same time listening to the author narrating his own work which I think was such a great experience for me. I was watching these characters navigate the community they were brought up in and as a resident of North Lanarkshire I recognised so many of the boys on the pages and the setting was so familiar. “the Campsies” seen from my bedroom window are always there and Armstrong is bang on when he describes them as a sense of navigation in and out of Glasgow from this side of the city.
Azzy and his Young Team provide a sense of belonging for each other as they share experiences in drink, drugs, raves, and violence. Within are some of the best descriptions I have read about the impact of drugs on a person's body and mind and made from some devastating reading. However, there was such humour in the writing, the patter, the clothes, the “sheepy sheep”, the “jaggies” are amongst some of the bits that made me laugh out loud.
There are so many social themes in this book. Poverty, drugs, alcohol. violence, mental health, family, community, territory, working-class experiences, west of Scotland masculinity – such a backdrop to Azzy Williams’ personal journey. I am still thinking about Azzy’s inner thoughts and emotions and his understanding of himself and those around him, they are not what many people assume boys like Azzy are like. As a teacher in this area, I have seen the potential in many real life Azzys, I have believed in their potential and told them I believed, in the hope that they would listen. There is hope in this book, there are good people who only want the best for their friends and families, they understand to love them is to let them go.
I feel quite sad to be leaving Azzy Williams, he has left an imprint on my heart. I hope he is living his best life wherever that may be.
mostlyreadingthings's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hanolifar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
erinmcentegart's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Feels like a new addition to the essential canon of Scottish literature. Stories like this need to be told, and they need to be read, and I’m glad Graeme Armstrong told it so beautifully. His characters and story feels so real because they clearly are, and for that this story is one that is impossible not to connect with and remember for a very long time.
bluebird1927's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
callummclelland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25