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The End of Time: The most captivating book you'll read this summer by Gavin Extence, Gavin Extence
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
The immigrant experience: moments of humour are found in this upsetting look at brothers trying to better their lives.
From their home country to the UK. We hear about people of all ages making this journey every day. Not often do we follow a pair of brothers as they make it. Through the physical grind, the paperwork, the dehumanising treatment, the acts of kindness, the bonds made, the heartbreak.
Mohammed and Zain have been sent from their warn-torn home, not knowing the fate of their family, but knowing they cannot return. Heading for Britain, they have a long way to travel, and must strategically plan each step for resources, routes and risks.
Eldest brother Mohammed is an academic and secret atheist (a copy of The God Delusion hidden inside Dickens), with sexuality issues hidden from his brother that he worries about revealing. Zain is a rather typical teenager, obsessed with mobile phones and with a foul mouth a sailor would be proud of. On their journey they meet the alcoholic Jesus, who somehow ends up tagging along with them, his 'premonitions' disturbing them.
We see other characters in similar situations, see what immigrants en masse must contend with, though it felt like overall people they came across were either indifferent or philanthropic rather than angry/antagonistic.
The story takes some very moving turns and it's never certain if our brothers are going to make it to safety. Mohammed is very relatable, with a big heart and aspirations, Zain's spirit is hard to dislike.
"'We sit tight,' I told him. 'Wait for them to let us go.' 'That's not a plan!' my brother complained. 'That's just bending over and taking it!'"
Seeing young people struggling through these circumstances is difficult, it brings it home how an immigrant is just another person, trying to feel safe and happy.
The secondary story of Jesus is quite a moving one, with more than one issue raised from it, aside from his immigrant status. Together the three main characters tell a contemporary story that needs telling.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
From their home country to the UK. We hear about people of all ages making this journey every day. Not often do we follow a pair of brothers as they make it. Through the physical grind, the paperwork, the dehumanising treatment, the acts of kindness, the bonds made, the heartbreak.
Mohammed and Zain have been sent from their warn-torn home, not knowing the fate of their family, but knowing they cannot return. Heading for Britain, they have a long way to travel, and must strategically plan each step for resources, routes and risks.
Eldest brother Mohammed is an academic and secret atheist (a copy of The God Delusion hidden inside Dickens), with sexuality issues hidden from his brother that he worries about revealing. Zain is a rather typical teenager, obsessed with mobile phones and with a foul mouth a sailor would be proud of. On their journey they meet the alcoholic Jesus, who somehow ends up tagging along with them, his 'premonitions' disturbing them.
We see other characters in similar situations, see what immigrants en masse must contend with, though it felt like overall people they came across were either indifferent or philanthropic rather than angry/antagonistic.
The story takes some very moving turns and it's never certain if our brothers are going to make it to safety. Mohammed is very relatable, with a big heart and aspirations, Zain's spirit is hard to dislike.
"'We sit tight,' I told him. 'Wait for them to let us go.' 'That's not a plan!' my brother complained. 'That's just bending over and taking it!'"
Seeing young people struggling through these circumstances is difficult, it brings it home how an immigrant is just another person, trying to feel safe and happy.
The secondary story of Jesus is quite a moving one, with more than one issue raised from it, aside from his immigrant status. Together the three main characters tell a contemporary story that needs telling.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
christinebeswick's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely well researched and a fascinating insight into the plight of refugees. It took a while for me to get into the story and I found the style a bit dry, but as I got further into the book, I became more captivated.
The surprising aspect was how many people were sympathetic and keen to help throughout the arduous journey from the Middle East and on to Europe and beyond. Gavin Extence mentioned in his very interesting Author’s Note at the end, for every person ranting against refugees on social media, there are probably 10 who are doing everything they can to help. Sadly, “compassion tends to be much quieter than anger and ignorance and prejudice”.
The surprising aspect was how many people were sympathetic and keen to help throughout the arduous journey from the Middle East and on to Europe and beyond. Gavin Extence mentioned in his very interesting Author’s Note at the end, for every person ranting against refugees on social media, there are probably 10 who are doing everything they can to help. Sadly, “compassion tends to be much quieter than anger and ignorance and prejudice”.
sophreads1998's review against another edition
5.0
This book should be required reading, stories like this create empathy for experiences people wouldn't otherwise understand in human context, thinking of people instead of figures is the key to creating solutions to this issue which is clouded in fear and prejudice. This book shines a light into the darkness and shares a story of love, loss and hope.
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