Black Swan Green

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David Mitchell: Black Swan Green (2006, Books on Tape)

Audio CD

English language

Published Sept. 11, 2006 by Books on Tape.

ISBN:
978-1-4159-2850-9
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4 stars (3 reviews)

A novel. From hardcover: "Black Swan Green tracks a single year in what is, for thirteen-year-old Jason Taylor, the sleepiest village in muddiest Worcestershire in a dying Cold War England, 1982."

8 editions

A tale of adolescence in the British 80s

4 stars

I wasn't initially sure about this novel but it quickly won me over, in this semi-autobiographical story of 13-year old Jason Taylor describing a year of his life in 1982, in 13 stories, one for each month of the year, plus an extra January. Each story is very different, and is teeming with the vibrant life of the 80s, picking up contemporary stuff like the Falkland war, Margaret Thatcher, and much much music.

Jason is a stammerer, which causes him much grief, so it's inevitably a story about school bullies for many chapters. Each story could stand alone and not lose much from it, but of course it's perfect that it weaves together. As usual with Mitchell, it alludes to previous books he wrotes, so there's Madame Crommelynck from Cloud Atlas, one of the more lyrical chapters of the book. It's really like listening to all of David Mitchell's doubts …

A tale of adolescence in the British 80s

4 stars

I wasn't initially sure about this novel but it quickly won me over, in this semi-autobiographical story of 13-year old Jason Taylor describing a year of his life in 1982, in 13 stories, one for each month of the year, plus an extra January. Each story is very different, and is teeming with the vibrant life of the 80s, picking up contemporary stuff like the Falkland war, Margaret Thatcher, and much much music.

Jason is a stammerer, which causes him much grief, so it's inevitably a story about school bullies for many chapters. Each story could stand alone and not lose much from it, but of course it's perfect that it weaves together. As usual with Mitchell, it alludes to previous books he wrotes, so there's Madame Crommelynck from Cloud Atlas, one of the more lyrical chapters of the book. It's really like listening to all of David Mitchell's doubts …

Review of 'Black Swan Green' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book was a very interesting read. I have mixed feelings about it because the slang and language was initially difficult to understand and the plot didn't seem to be going anywhere (which is appropriate for the type of story). However, the author made me care for the main character, which I could relate to. Unfortunately, all the bad things that happen would bring my mood down whenever I read the book (of course, my mood improved when I read some of the better chapters). It is a testament to the Mitchell's skill that he can do this to a reader.
In the end, I have to say I did enjoy most of it and can certainly see why the author has been praised for it.

For a full review, see my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-review-black-swan-green-by-david.html#