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Smack

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'Smack' by Melvin Burgess follows the story of two teenage runaways, Tar and Gemma, who spiral into heroin addiction while living in squats in Bristol, UK. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, giving insight into the characters' struggles with addiction, homelessness, and self-deception. The writing style is described as honest, brutal, and realistic, providing a vivid portrayal of the challenges faced by young addicts in the 1980s.

Characters:

The characters are realistically portrayed as troubled teens, each with significant flaws but also relatable struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is brutal and realistic, capturing the inner thoughts of characters through a raw narrative and diverse perspectives.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around two teens, Tar and Gemma, who escape their home lives only to find themselves ensnared in heroin addiction and the pitfalls of the punk subculture.

Setting:

The setting reflects the gritty reality of 1980s Bristol, spotlighting the punk subculture and the struggles of urban life.

Pacing:

The pacing is engaging, maintaining reader interest through a steadily increasing sense of urgency as the characters' situations worsen.
‘I’m hungry,’ complained the girl. The boy turned on a torch and peered inside a grey canvas rucksack behind him. ‘There’s an apple.’ ‘Nah. Any crisps left?’ ‘Nope.’ Gemma sighed and leaned back in th...

Notes:

The book 'Smack' by Melvin Burgess is about two runaway teenagers, Tar and Gemma, who become addicted to heroin.
It is set in Bristol, England, during the 1980s and captures the punk scene.
The novel is known for its gritty realism and honest portrayal of drug addiction and its consequences.
Each chapter is narrated from a different character's perspective, providing multiple viewpoints on the story.
Burgess won several prestigious awards for this book, including the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Award for Children's Fiction.
The story explores themes of family abuse, homelessness, and the impulsive decisions of teens.
Some readers find the British slang challenging but it adds authenticity to the characters' voices.
The book does not glorify drug use; instead, it portrays the slow decline into addiction as a result of various pressures.
One of its famous lines reflects on the need for self-deception in the context of addiction.
'Smack' is controversial and often debated for its depiction of drug culture, making it a challenging read for young adults.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include drug addiction, sexual assault, and themes of mental health struggles.

Has Romance?

There are romantic elements present, particularly in the relationship between Tar and Gemma.

From The Publisher:

Winner of the 1996 Carnegie Medal in Literature and the Guardian Prize for fiction, two of England's most prestigious awards, Smack tells a penetrating story about heroin use, a topic that is becoming familiar in the news and one of importance to teens everywhere.

The story begins with Tar, a fourteen-year-old, who runs away from home. He convinces his girlfriend, Gemma, to come with him, and it is not long before they are engulfed in a loose community of people living in abandoned buildings. Everything seems to be turning out so well: they have a roof over their heads, food to eat, and a brand-new group of friends. And when Tar and Gemma try their first hit of smack, they think life will keep on getting better.

But before long, they find they've lost control. The search for the next hit becomes all-consuming-until a disaster forces Gemma to take matters into her own hands.

Insightful, haunting, and real, Smack is the Go Ask Alice of the '90s. It's a book that every teenager should read-then pass along to a friend.

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About the Author:

Melvin Burgess is the author of several other highly acclaimed books for young adults, including Burning Issy. Mr. Burgess lives in Lancashire, England.

 
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