Customer Reviews
Black Swan Green: Mitchell is a maestro - By: M. SIMS, 03 Oct 2008 
Black Swan Green, detailing 13 months in the life of Jason Taylor resonates soundly with our own experiences of growing up. On many occassions Mitchell is beautifully but undeliberately funny; at other times the book is breathtakingly tragic with Mitchell reminding us, like a contemporary Golding, of the cruelty & brutality which children & adolescents can be capable of.
A brilliant page turner from a sensationally good writer. - By: Brownbear101, 14 Sep 2008 Much easier to read than his other books but no less satisfying. I'm surprised that it didn't breakthrough to the big time in sales terms; but perhaps the subject matter of a village boy in 1982 England sounds too unpromising or parochial - it's neither. I see that some other reviewers make literary criticisms of the novel but if you want a very well written book with great characters & a lively page turning plot (and who doesn't?) buy this.
Funny, perceptive and moving..... - By: Wynne Kelly, 14 Sep 2008 
A very impressive story of teenager coming to terms with the world around him in the 1980s. The story tells of the thirteen months of Jason's life between childhood & adolescence - the stammering, the bullies, the family strife, the Falklands War & the diverse & strange characters living in his village. As a sensitive, intelligent boy Jason has to make his way in life through a maze of dangers - knowing which boys to avoid, not using the wrong words, wearing the right clothes, not letting anyone know he writes poetry etc. The whole story is laden with cultural & historical references: Curly Whirlies, Thatcherism, Gotcha & ZX Spectrums.
An authentic narrative voice is in turns funny, perceptive & moving. In parts it is desperately sad (even though Jason expresses no self pity) but is ultimately positive & uplifting. Beautifully constructed novel & exuberant language.
I enjoyed alll the references to Alain-Fournier's Le Grand Meaulnes. This book has now waiting on my "books to read" shelf!
An enjoyable read - By: Smithman, 07 Sep 2008 This is a book that will help you pass the time on a mornings commute brilliantly. It's light enough to dip in & out of, thgouht provoking & even moving at times as well. The writing is superb - engaging, playful & edgy. Definately worth a read.
Black Swan Green - David Mitchell - By: reedydeluxe, 13 Jul 2008 I was already a fan of David Mitchell when this was released, but the title gave away little about the contents of the book. I bought this (fatefully) without reading a review or even the books blurb, but on the strength of the fact that i've loved Mitchell & what he has written before.
Not to be dissapointed, this is a world away from the dreamy fiction he has laid down for us before. A vivid & real look at the life of teenage Jason, in the village of Black Swan Green during the falklands war, & the struggle with the horrors of the real world most of us experienced during our adolecent years. Divorce, bullying, war, money, & *gasp*...girls alll seem to toch on the life of Jason, along with some beautiful moments alone or with his so callled friends.
Im tempted to comapre it wth other stories of teen angst laid down in "secret diaries" or with "growing pains", but the absolute pleasure of reading this book is in a world of its own. Remember betamax? school discos? penny sweets? parkas? raleigh choppers? get a hold of this & breathe in every word.
