Review: The Short Knife

Elen Caldecott

The Short Knife

Andersen Press, July 2020

Hardback, 391PP, £12.99

ISBN 9781783449798

Young Adult

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott follows the misfortune of Mai, her sister Haf and their father after their home is destroyed by Saxon warriors. Mai and Haf, having grown up in isolation on their farm, must learn to live in a world created and ruled by men, and dominated by a power struggle between the Saxons and the native British peoples.

Mai defines herself as British, Welsh and of Roman descent. She speaks British and Saxon. Caldecott uses the multitude of languages spoken in Britain in bygone eras to evoke an ancestral link to the multiculturalism of the United Kingdom as it is today. In this text, she stresses the importance of language to British identity through her use of Welsh and Saxon terminology and phrases.

At its heart, this book is about the history of Great Britain as a land that is defined by the multitude of peoples and nationalities contained therein, as much as it is defined by the conflict between these groups.

Caldecott’s text comes at a time when political tensions in Britain have risen to boiling point as a result of issues such as racial disputes and Brexit. The Short Knife reminds the reader that British identity has never been a singular cultural identity, but rather one that is composed of multiple histories, cultures and traditions, English, Welsh and Scottish being just a few.

You can buy a copy of The Short Knife here:

The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott

Thank you to Children’s Books Ireland for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published in Inis Magazine Issue 59 (April 2020).

Review: Permanent Record

Mary H. K. Choi

Permanent Record

Atom Books, November 2019

Paperback, 346PP, £7.99

ISBN: 9780349003450

Young Adult Fiction

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Pablo Neruda Rind is a twenty-year-old college dropout who spends his nights working in a New York bodega, trying to pay off the debt from his credit card and student loans. Nineteen-year-old Leanna Smart, meanwhile, is a high-flying musician and movie star who owns a multi-million dollar cosmetics company. When Leanna wanders into Pablo’s workplace at five o’clock in the morning, the sparks begin to fly – but of course, dating an A-list celebrity comes with its own set of problems.

Within this novel, Choi explores with unabashed honesty the harsh realities of issues faced by young adults, such as racism, mental health issues and climate change, framed through the perspective of a cynical New York native. The discussion of these topics is contextualised within examination of celebrity culture and social media, reflecting upon recent events such as the #MeToo movement.

Permanent Record demonstrates Choi’s skilful writing through its blend of traditional elements of Young Adult romance with a more modern approach, making for an inspired and unique text. Choi’s writing provocatively captures the fast-paced nature of life in New York as the narration speedily moves through snapshots of setting and dialogue. Choi balances a compelling plot and witty narration with just the right amount of social commentary to create a novel that is not only apt in its reflection of contemporary society, but also a heart-warming and powerful read.

You can buy a copy of Permanent Record here:

Permanent Record by Mary H. K. Choi

Thank you to Children’s Books Ireland for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published on www.childrensbooksireland.ie

Mourne Seaside

Seawater laps overfoot,

Chocolate ice cream trickling over little fingers.

Clouds drift by,

And sun peeks out.

Soft sand trapped between small toes.

The hubbub of the town behind,

Weekend crowds basking in summer warmth,

Propeller planes looping in the patchy sky.

Waves crash over polished, sharp-edged shingle,

Tiny feet crunching over gravel,

The low rise of dark mountains on the doorstep,

One day green, brown the next.

The salty tang of fish and chips in the evening air,

Deep-fried prawns and golden, crispy fries 

As a far-off sailboat glides 

Through the dark blue waters.

The distant, misty island, 

Caught between nations,

A dark omen, 

Signalling rain to come.

A pink hue, fading to gold,

A dying day.

Pinprick stars awaken, a crescent moon aglow,

As young minds slumber, imagination bursting to life.