Face Adult Edition - Softcover

Benjamin Zephaniah

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0747564981 ISBN 13: 9780747564980

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2003

Synopsis

Martin, Matthew and Mark are the Gang of Three who roam their East London estate during the school holidays looking for fun and checking out girls, but Martin is the undisputed leader - he's cool, funny, and goes out with gorgeous aspiring model Natalie. He seems to have it all. However, one night after the Gang leave a late night rap club, the notorious Apache and Pete, a Raider's Posse gang member, offer them a ride. Matthew refuses to get in the car, but Martin and Mark fancy a lift round the corner. Too late, they realise that the car is stolen, that there are drugs involved, and that the police are after them. What happens next is to change Martin's life and looks, and show him the true meaning of strength, courage, discrimination and friendship. In this startling debut novel from Benjamin Zephaniah, the author tackles the moving and compelling story of a young man, Martin, whose life is completely changed when his face is badly scarred in a joyriding accident. Brilliantly written with a real ear for dialogue, this is Benjamin Zepaniah breaking new boundaries.

About this title

About the Author

Benjamin Zephaniah is probably one of the most high-profile international authors writing today, with an enormous breadth of appeal, equally popular with both adults and children. Most well-known for his performance poetry with a political edge for adults and ground-breaking performance poetry for children, Benjamin also has his own rap/reggae band, and has appeared on Desert Island Discs. He is in constant demand internationally to perform his work: he is (he thinks) Nelson Mandela's favourite poet, and is the only Rastafarian poet to be short-listed for the Chairs of Poetry for both Oxford and Cambridge University. Benjamin lives in East Ham, London.

From Publishers Weekly

Zephaniah (Refugee Boy) paints a sympathetic portrait of Martin Turner, a burn victim, who changes as much on the inside as on the outside after a car accident leaves his face severely disfigured. The author uses bold lines to describe how the once fun-loving wise-cracker confronts the fact that his life can never be the same. Even more disturbing than the stares and cruel taunts, perhaps, are his friends' obvious discomfort and overly solicitous behavior ("He hated being pitied and he hated being given special treatment. He learnt how to look into the eyes of others and measure their sincerity"). Martin also resents those (like the priest at the community center) who refer to him as "disabled"; however, he develops the confidence and poise to correct such misapprehensions. Newfound friends who are able to look beyond his scars encourage him to rise to challenges and develop his talent for dancing and gymnastics. Although the plot is somewhat formulaic and although Zephaniah discusses many of Martin's struggles rather than offering specific examples, Martin himself is believable enough to be appealing. Kids will tune in to this book's clear message about appearances. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0747564981
• ISBN 13: 9780747564980
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 208