by Tom Neilson, Grange School Librarian
As the Senior School Librarian at The Grange School, I read a lot of YA and middle grade fiction (not as much as some of the students who seem able to gobble entire books in the space of a single evening whilst also getting all their homework done but, still… quite a lot!) in order that I can recommend them to students and also because I love reading.
I also love to get other people reading, so if you are stuck for something to read, or you are looking for something for your child to read, I thought I would start posting reviews of some books that have made an impact on me… In the first in what will hopefully become a series of such posts, I take a look at the multiple award winning ‘Bearmouth’ by Liz Hyder.
Bearmouth – a story of light and dark
This is the story of the men, and particularly the boys, that live and work far, far, below the Earth’s surface in the depths of Bearmouth mine. It is, to say the least, a claustrophobic and dark place but this darkness serves to make the fleeting moments of warmth and light stand out with an intensity rarely experienced in the pages of a novel.
The inequities the men suffer are many and severe. For example, passage to the surface must be paid for from their meagre wages and is prohibitively expensive. Consequently, the men’s lives before Bearmouth - their loved ones, the smell of fresh air and the feel of sunshine – are nothing but faded memories for most.
It quickly becomes clear that everything in this subterranean world, from cheap beer to reverence of “the Mayker,” is designed to keep the men down, in the dark (literally and figuratively) and accepting of their position in life… among many other things, this story is a fascinating and brutal insight into a form of brainwashing.
The hero of the story is Newt, a “Bearmouth boy” since early childhood. Newt is “learning his letters” and receiving an education of sorts from his friend and mentor, Thomas, an older man who has had a life and some schooling before being consigned to the mine. It is this education that provides a spark in the darkness, that sets Newt dreaming and asking big, dangerous questions… could revolution be in the air after all?
The story is told through the eyes, and in the voice, of Newt. Which means the words are often spelt phonetically with Newt’s accent and dialect ingrained in the language. It is a stylistic decision that might put some off. I hope not. It is not difficult to read and, for me, only adds to the atmosphere of the novel. It is so subtly done that it may be my imagination, but I think that Newt’s spelling improves as the novel progresses in order to reflect his learning. It reminded me of the classic novella ‘Flowers for Algernon’ in that sense.
This book is an intense reading experience with a strong allegorical feeling. It brilliantly imagines life in the depths of the Earth - both the light and the dark - before resolving itself into a breathlessly exciting adventure story. Aimed at the YA market but definitely one that adults would enjoy too. Very highly recommended indeed!
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