34 pages • 1 hour read
Black Swan Green
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Book Brief
304
Novel • Fiction
Worcestershire, England • 1980s
2006
Adult
14-18 years
HL720L
Super Short Summary
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell follows 12-year-old Jason Taylor as he navigates the challenges of adolescence in Worcestershire, England, during 1982. Struggling with bullies at school due to his stammer, Jason secretly loves poetry and learns about complicated family dynamics. His journey includes discovering new friendships, facing fears, confronting racism, and witnessing parental separation, all while seeking acceptance and self-discovery. The book includes instances of bullying and ableism.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
45,249 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
David Mitchell's Black Swan Green has been praised for its evocative portrayal of a 13-year-old's coming-of-age journey in 1980s rural England. Reviewers commend Mitchell's masterful prose, character depth, and subtle humor. Criticisms include occasional sluggish pacing and predictability. Overall, it is lauded as a poignant, well-crafted novel capturing adolescent struggles and growth.
Who Should Read Black Swan Green?
Readers who appreciate coming-of-age tales set in the 1980s will love Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. Comparable to The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, it captivates with its mix of introspection, nostalgia, and lyrical prose. Fans of richly detailed, character-driven narratives will find it compelling.
45,249 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Tom Yew
Tom Yew
Tom Yew is a member of the Royal Navy admired by Jason and his peers, representing bravery and escape from the village life.
Ross Wilcox, Grant Burch, Gary Drake, Ant Little, and Neal Brose
Ross Wilcox, Grant Burch, Gary Drake, Ant Little, and Neal Brose
This group of boys bullies Jason and others in the village, using their numbers to assert dominance and disrupt the lives of their classmates.
Dawn Madden
Dawn Madden
Dawn is Jason's secret crush who often shows more maturity than him, is linked to his rival Ross Wilcox, and possesses a bold demeanor.
Madame Crommelynck
Madame Crommelynck
Madame Crommelynck is a mentor to Jason, encouraging his poetic talents and treating him as an equal rather than a child.
Craig Salt
Craig Salt
Craig Salt is Jason's father's boss, exerting significant influence and embodying the harsh realities of the adult world.
The Sour Aunt
The Sour Aunt
The Sour Aunt is an enigmatic figure Jason encounters in the woods, offering him a healing experience and refuge.
304
Novel • Fiction
Worcestershire, England • 1980s
2006
Adult
14-18 years
HL720L
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