Lent to me by a friend from work

Sat on my to read list for so long I could not remember whether the copy I had was the loaned copy or one I had purchased to read ( )

A tense, taut read, set amongst Birch's typically troubled characters, Blood tells the story of Jesse and Rachel, two kids whose lives are transient, loveless and deprived. The first half of the novel paints the bleak story of their lives, while the second ratchets up the tension with some edge-of-the-seat set pieces as the kids' lives completely fall apart around them.

The writing is punchy and minimalist, with not a wasted word and the characters (particularly of the kids) are solidly drawn. The plotting is well paced and the tension towards the end almost unbearable (although the denouement itself is slightly unbelievable). There's a dark Aussie film waiting to be adapted from this material. ( )

The writing is first rate but the story is depressing and the mother Gwen, is not a character you want to see succeed , quite the opposite, the rest of the story centers on Jesse and his sister Rachael, who have to endure like with a drunk, drug addict, whore (Gwen) for a mother, and her filthy boyfriends. As I said the writing is great so I think I will search it another book by the author. ( )