HELLO MUM by BERNARDINE EVARISTO

HELLO MUM by BERNARDINE EVARISTO

My only EVARISTO novel is GWO, and I knew that needed to change, so when I saw this book for £1.99 I jumped at the chance to experience more from this wonderful writer.

She delivered yet again.

This novella is a letter from JJ to his mum. In the letter he attempts to outline to his mother what life is like for him growing up as a black teenager on a council estate in London surrounded by gangs, judgmental “geriatrics”, the Fedz (who have searched him four times for no reason) and his little sister Shontelle, who he loves very much. JJ is trying to explain how these circumstances led up to a certain event in his life - the event is not revealed until the end of the novella but it is fairly obvious (intentionally so) what is going to happen.

JJ’s voice is so strong and alive. He’s a sweet young boy who gets mixed up with the wrong crowd and the readers sees it all unfolding like a tragic event that you hope will play out differently even though you know deep down that it will end exactly as you expect. A bit like watching Titanic for the fifth time and hoping that Jack and Rose will get off the boat together this time.

So anyway, I’m pretty glum right now after finishing this and feeling more guilty than ever for quitting my teaching job where I was able to help vulnerable teenagers...

Happy point to end on? Help me, someone?

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