Comments on 'Noughts and Crosses'

Enjoyed by the whole group even though reading a teenage/crossover book was a first for most of the group:-
“I read this and immediately bought the next in the trilogy”
“This for me was a two session book. I was hooked and sat and read it in two sittings”
“Three or four unanswered questions. Will these be solved in the sequels?”
“Wish there had been meaty books like this when I was a teenager”
“ The following quote made me stop and think. ‘But how many individuals does it take before it’s not the individuals who are prejudiced but society itself’”
“The description of the plaster on a Nought’s skin was wonderful”
“Read a review in the ‘Times’ and totally agree with it that there is an adult book waiting to come out of Malorie Blackman’s work”
“Echoes of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in the novel. A balcony scene and a letter received too late”
“A passage from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ came to me whilst reading the book. Atticus Finch speaking to his daughter Scout speaks of only getting to know a man when you step inside his skin and walk around.”
“Covered many issues, perhaps too many”

FURTHER READING
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee

Review of Noughts and Crosses

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman a novel for 12+ but don't for one moment let this put you off. It is a 'crossover' book in that it appeals to both children and adults. Having read a number of 'crossover' books this is certainly one of my favourites. In this book the rolls are reversed. White people (Noughts) are the underclass with no legal rights and black people (Crosses) are the elite/ruling class. It tells the story of Callum (a Nought) and Sephy (a Cross) and their struggle to be friends in a world that disapproves. A remarkable book dealing with many issues including race, prejudice, teenage love, alcoholism, terrorism and mental illness. Stimulating and provocative.

Tony Riley