A very, very pacy and unputdownable contemporary novel that will be relevant to all teenagers. With sharp teen dialogue and a keen eye for a teenager’s world this punchy novel’s themes of friendship, bullying, the importance of family life and the need to communicate are incredibly well drawn. Very much in the style of Melvin Burgess and Kevin Brooks this powerful debut novel focuses on three very different teenagers, whose lives become unavoidably interlinked. The cleverly constructed narrative consists of three points of view: of Gary, constantly victimised by the school bully in a nasty, name-calling and vindictive way; the bully’s friend, David and a new girl to the school, the independent thinking and brave, Zoë.
This cleverly constructed narrative consists of three points of view: of Gary, constantly victimised by the school bully in a nasty, name-calling and vindictive way; the bully's friend, David and a new girl to the school, Zoe. All viewpoints are revealing. Gary reveals the painful and often unsuccessful attempts by a young man to control his anger under great provocation - and his inability to communicate. David is someone who is uncomfortable with the bullying but doesn't dare to do anything about it - until the end. Zoe is a young woman who can see Gary through different eyes and is independent, freethinking and brave. Also featured in this title are rampaging tractors, shotguns and cheese puffs.
Inside My Head, published by Bloomsbury in May 2010, is Jim Carrington’s first novel. He is a teacher and lives with his family in Raynes Park, south-west London.
