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Octopus
192 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 1982
About the author
Roy Brown
149 books1 followerRoy Frederick Brown, born in Vancouver B.C., was deputy headmaster of the Helen Allison School for Autistic Children, Gravesend, Kent, from 1969-75.
"Among major children's writers of the 1970s, Roy Brown was one particularly open to his times, in tune with their issues and concerns and, while the readability and human interest of his stories guarantee a wide readership, the settings indicate a conscious desire to offer the non-academic urban child a means of identification. The years brought development in technique but not deviation from city backgrounds and characters at risk or disadvantage in modern society." [source: Peggy Heeks in Twentieth Century Children's Writers (Macmillan, 1978).
"Among major children's writers of the 1970s, Roy Brown was one particularly open to his times, in tune with their issues and concerns and, while the readability and human interest of his stories guarantee a wide readership, the settings indicate a conscious desire to offer the non-academic urban child a means of identification. The years brought development in technique but not deviation from city backgrounds and characters at risk or disadvantage in modern society." [source: Peggy Heeks in Twentieth Century Children's Writers (Macmillan, 1978).
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 23, 2024
It seemed a good idea for The Brotherhood (a collection of ex-wrestlers, living and working in the London docks of the 80s) to transport the charity money in a black canvas octopus for their float in the Paxton Carnival. But then it’s stolen, Dusty Wilkins and his mates have to try and find it, the pieces scattered over the derelict dockland, in a race against time.
Published in 1981, this is typical of the kids fiction of the time, gritty and not shying away from the harsher aspects of life, but filled with humour and friendship too. Set in and around a dockland being reclaimed (the atmosphere is captured incredibly well), the bulk of the book follows Dusty and his friends trying to help out his dad by recovering the money. Dusty goes with his (kind-of) friend (though whatever issue there might be isn’t really explored) Frankie Blight, the local police chiefs son. The brothers Len & Danny end up in the tunnels and chased by police, with younger Danny coming out on top. Sally Smart (and her bad haircut) is lumbered with having to look after her baby sister Suzy and comes across a widow living in the last house on a street slowly being demolished. Herbie Cookson, meanwhile, heads off on his own and tags a lift in a truck that takes him a long way from home. Things come right in the end, but it’s not a perfectly happy ending and that works brilliantly. With some great characterisation, a nice line in dialogue and a kids eye view of the world that’s just starting to be a bit cynical, this worked a treat. Very much recommended.
Published in 1981, this is typical of the kids fiction of the time, gritty and not shying away from the harsher aspects of life, but filled with humour and friendship too. Set in and around a dockland being reclaimed (the atmosphere is captured incredibly well), the bulk of the book follows Dusty and his friends trying to help out his dad by recovering the money. Dusty goes with his (kind-of) friend (though whatever issue there might be isn’t really explored) Frankie Blight, the local police chiefs son. The brothers Len & Danny end up in the tunnels and chased by police, with younger Danny coming out on top. Sally Smart (and her bad haircut) is lumbered with having to look after her baby sister Suzy and comes across a widow living in the last house on a street slowly being demolished. Herbie Cookson, meanwhile, heads off on his own and tags a lift in a truck that takes him a long way from home. Things come right in the end, but it’s not a perfectly happy ending and that works brilliantly. With some great characterisation, a nice line in dialogue and a kids eye view of the world that’s just starting to be a bit cynical, this worked a treat. Very much recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review