Sometimes a book comes along that blows you away. Winner of the 2020 Carnegie Medal, 'Lark' by Anthony McGowan is absolutely magnificent. A stunning piece of work, worthy of being recognised as a future classic.
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Nicky and Kenny set off across the Yorkshire moors on a mini-trek. It's a good chance for them to talk, to let off steam. Their mum is soon coming to visit them and they haven't seen her in a long time. But as they make a short-cut over a hill, the snow descends. Quickly the boys are plunged into danger, and they might not even make it out alive.
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Wow! There is so much to praise about 'Lark'. Where to start? Firstly, it is worth noting that while this is aimed at 13+ the reading age is from 9. But the language used is sublime, masterly, without ever feeling over-done. Poetic, gritty, simple to the point of being mythic, the writing is pitch-perfect. It makes an aspiring writer such as myself blush, stunned. McGowan paints a vivid and sensual picture of a snowy and treacherous moors. Through Nicky's perspective we feel the cold bone-deep - the majesty and power of nature in all its wild force. McGowan also expertly gets into the heads of these young boys and the dialogue is spot-on and tremendously funny. There are swear words and multiple references to arses, while they also talk of old tales, such as King Arthur, enriching the story with both a sense of history and a smell of the profane. The whole of life is on display here, evoked beautifully while being rough around the edges. The drama and tension created when the boys reach crisis-point is superbly written and I gripped the pages, feeling ice layer my knuckles.
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'Lark' is a mini-masterpiece. It is so deserving of its accolades. 'Lark' just simply sings. If you haven't read it, do so right now!
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https://www.waterstones.com/book/lark/anthony-mcgowan/9781781128435
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