Scan barcode
A review by namullis_
Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman
3.0
As Malorie Blackman states in the cover of this book: 'Knife Edge' is a book about hate.
Leading on from the first novel 'Noughts and Crosses', 'Knife Edge' explores the horrific consequences of prejudice. Following the lives of Jude, Callum's older brother and Sephy, Callum's ex-lover, the novel reveals how damaging prejudice can be, to both the perpetrator and the victim.
Jude, an avid racist and cold-blooded killer, seeks nothing but revenge. Through Malorie's writing, she explores how this involves denying his humanity over and over again. Despite anger and darkness consuming him, he still has to fight to let go of all forms of love in his life. In his own words, caring is vulnerability. Even when faced with the reality that his views are incorrect, he forces himself to continue hating, to see nothing but artificial differences. Overall, his hatred and anger is his downfall. Despite getting away in the novel, he still loses the potential love of his life, Cara, and through his own brutal actions. He had an opportunity to be understood, loved and protected, but instead he chose darkness and ignorance.
Sephy, on the other hand, is the victim of her own self-loathing - blaming herself for Callum's death - and also from the public who hate her for having an inter-racial relationship. Her daughter Callie Rose, a mixed-race child, goes on to be the reception of similar abuse. Sephy and Callie Rose fall into a unique position because they are unaccepted in any circle of society. They are no longer accepted by Crosses, and they aren't Noughts, even if Callie is “in part”.
Throughout the novel, Malorie Blackman explores the issues of a society where people are grouped under labels. She traverses the catastrophic damage this does to not only those inside the forced boxes but also those who don't fit in said boxes.
This book is hard to read in places. However, it explores important topics, still clearly (and sadly) relevant in our British society today.
Leading on from the first novel 'Noughts and Crosses', 'Knife Edge' explores the horrific consequences of prejudice. Following the lives of Jude, Callum's older brother and Sephy, Callum's ex-lover, the novel reveals how damaging prejudice can be, to both the perpetrator and the victim.
Jude, an avid racist and cold-blooded killer, seeks nothing but revenge. Through Malorie's writing, she explores how this involves denying his humanity over and over again. Despite anger and darkness consuming him, he still has to fight to let go of all forms of love in his life. In his own words, caring is vulnerability. Even when faced with the reality that his views are incorrect, he forces himself to continue hating, to see nothing but artificial differences. Overall, his hatred and anger is his downfall. Despite getting away in the novel, he still loses the potential love of his life, Cara, and through his own brutal actions. He had an opportunity to be understood, loved and protected, but instead he chose darkness and ignorance.
Sephy, on the other hand, is the victim of her own self-loathing - blaming herself for Callum's death - and also from the public who hate her for having an inter-racial relationship. Her daughter Callie Rose, a mixed-race child, goes on to be the reception of similar abuse. Sephy and Callie Rose fall into a unique position because they are unaccepted in any circle of society. They are no longer accepted by Crosses, and they aren't Noughts, even if Callie is “in part”.
Throughout the novel, Malorie Blackman explores the issues of a society where people are grouped under labels. She traverses the catastrophic damage this does to not only those inside the forced boxes but also those who don't fit in said boxes.
This book is hard to read in places. However, it explores important topics, still clearly (and sadly) relevant in our British society today.