Noughts and Crosses - Malorie Blackman
June 25, 2016 |
| goodreads.com |
Title: Noughts and Crosses
Author: Malorie Blackman
Genre: Dystopian Fiction, UKYA, Romance
Blurb: Two young people are forced to make a stand in this thought-provoking look at racism and prejudice in an alternate society.
Sephy is a Cross - a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a Nought - a 'colourless' member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood, but that's as far as it can go. In their world, Noughts and Crosses simply don't mix. Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum - romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger.
Can they possibly find a way to be together?
Intermission: Before reading the book, I heard a lot of good things about this book. Well, I mainly saw people giving such amazing reviews about this book, that this book was absolutely brilliant.
Opinion: I found the idea of the book interesting. It was something I have never heard of : a world where black people were the ones who enslaved white people and the racism white people would face. However, this was all I 'liked' (if I can even use that word) about this book.
Firstly, the characters were not likable. Sephy is a Cross and is quite wealthy. Apparently, she is an incredibly intelligent girl - I beg to differ. She seems quite fickle and naive throughout the novel. Also, she has very little control over her mouth (excuse me, you're friends with a white guy and are aware of discrimination he faces, yet you still manage to insult his entire race (by using a derogatory word: blanker) and also in front of many people?).
Callum had more signs of intelligence. However, he was very... well, boring.
There was a severe lack of diversity in this book (this sounds ironic but let me carry on). Everyone in this world is either black or white. No Asians, no Latinos... just white and black.
Also, why-oh-why are the Noughts so boring? Where is their culture? What makes them unique? Why do they all seem to fit their stereotype: as boring and bland as they are expected to be?
I didn't like the writing very much. The prologue seems to trick you and then you'll start thinking, "This is such a well written book..." Hahahaha.
The point of view kept alternating between between Callum and Sephy. I personally found this irritating when it kept happening every ten lines (okay, slight exaggeration). The book was also written quite badly as if it is made to be read by nine year olds but yet there was some adult content.
Sephy is a Cross - a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a Nought - a 'colourless' member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood, but that's as far as it can go. In their world, Noughts and Crosses simply don't mix. Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum - romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger.
Can they possibly find a way to be together?
Intermission: Before reading the book, I heard a lot of good things about this book. Well, I mainly saw people giving such amazing reviews about this book, that this book was absolutely brilliant.
Opinion: I found the idea of the book interesting. It was something I have never heard of : a world where black people were the ones who enslaved white people and the racism white people would face. However, this was all I 'liked' (if I can even use that word) about this book.
Firstly, the characters were not likable. Sephy is a Cross and is quite wealthy. Apparently, she is an incredibly intelligent girl - I beg to differ. She seems quite fickle and naive throughout the novel. Also, she has very little control over her mouth (excuse me, you're friends with a white guy and are aware of discrimination he faces, yet you still manage to insult his entire race (by using a derogatory word: blanker) and also in front of many people?).
Callum had more signs of intelligence. However, he was very... well, boring.
There was a severe lack of diversity in this book (this sounds ironic but let me carry on). Everyone in this world is either black or white. No Asians, no Latinos... just white and black.
Also, why-oh-why are the Noughts so boring? Where is their culture? What makes them unique? Why do they all seem to fit their stereotype: as boring and bland as they are expected to be?
I didn't like the writing very much. The prologue seems to trick you and then you'll start thinking, "This is such a well written book..." Hahahaha.
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| giphy.com |
This books seems to promote a toxic kind of 'romantic' relationship that many teenagers love to revel in. To me, the kind of relationship in this book is not the kind of relationship you should envy. Spoiler (highlight to see): Kidnapping your childhood 'love' and impregnating her (and she gives consent, what the heck?!). Ew.
Also, what time was it set in? This was not clear at all. I don't even know why.
Recommendation: I would rather not recommend this book to anyone at all (but people seem to enjoy it for some reason) but if you really want to get it, search for it in your library.
Rating: *1/2 - One and a half stars out of five.
~
Well, guys. Another negative review and unpopular opinion. Have any of you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? Have you ever read a book that failed to live up to your expectations?
Rating: *1/2 - One and a half stars out of five.
~
Well, guys. Another negative review and unpopular opinion. Have any of you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? Have you ever read a book that failed to live up to your expectations?
2 comments
EW. THE SPOILER. JUST NO. ARRRGH!!!! That's so wrong in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks that it wasn't very good :/ And honestly, I'm not sure what the point is of making the white people the slaves because it just makes the whole issue of discrimination and racism about white people when the focus should be on the people who are facing discrimination in their lives. (Sorry, that was like the longest run-on sentence ever.) So yeah, I probably won't pick this book up, but thanks for the review so I know to stay away from it!
Yeah, I had many problems with it but if people wanna buy it after seeing this review, they can't blame me if they don't like it. *shrugs*
DeleteI can understand why you wanna avoid the book. yeah.
Keep it all clean, man. Well, if you really wanna curse, use minor swear words. And I mean the minorest of minor ones.
"Or what?" you ask in indignation.
"Or else."