2008-06-12 Unexpected, Brilliant!

This book was sent to me and I don't think I would have selected it had I seen it in a store. But I was gripped from the first page and could hardly put it down. It takes a lot to grip ME! But this author REALLY knows what he is doing, and, in just a few words, paints portraits so vivid that you are in the minds of all the characters and just longing to know what is going to happen.
The theme of charity, a middle-class family taking a delinquent slum kid with them on their Scottish holiday, is particularly relevant to today and school violence.
The boy, from a ghastly home, alcoholic parents and rats, enters a new world of decency, love and respect. He does not know how to react.
And when his time with this family is over, how does he return to his ghastly family?
I can only tell you that you will hold your breath until the very last page, praying and wish for the impossible happy ending.
Robin Jenkins must have been an extraordinary man. He is an extraordinary writer, economical with words but getting the utmost effect and emotions from them. I wanted to cry and scream at times. I shall never forget this book.