Welcome to Litsy!

Not worthy of the Carnegie shortlist, IMO. A hero‘s journey set in 1920s England & Canada, with many harsh obstacles for Beck, the young mixed-race protagonist. He fetches up in Ogygia (same name as Calypso‘s isle in the Odyssey) where he might find a home. Explicit sexual violence, & the repeated use of the n-word (including by a non-black woman attracted to Beck), make this novel suitable for 16+, not younger. #YA

Books and breakfast. #paradise

This story was soooo interesting and sad. Beck made me sad and Straight Speaking made me laugh. This is not a story of redemption but of a life lived and boy are those the best kind of stories. #beck #malpeet #megrosoff #1900s #orphan #litsyAtoZ #letterP #canada #travel #race

If this had not been nominated for the Carnegie award I probably would never have picked it up. However I am very glad that I did. At the beginning of the book I found the writing quite abrupt but as the story progressed it became mesmerising. I was completely and utterly drawn into Beck's life. He does not have an easy life and their is a section in the first part of the book that is very difficult to read due to the nature of the subject.

Thought provoking, devastating and ultimately uplifting. I wish I could have spent more time getting to know characters like Irma and Bone whose appearance in the book was intriguing but unfulfilling. This is Y.A but comes with a 16+ rec which should be heeded. This book is really disturbing in places but a great story and a worthy contender for this year's Carnegie medal.