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The Edge
Winner of the Angus Book Award, THE EDGE is crackly with tension. How will this mother and son escape their abuser and start a new life?
We've got to go. Now.
It's early morning and Danny's mother is at his bedside, urging him to get up. They're on the run from Chris, his mother's boyfriend, a violent man who beats them both up, and won't let them go.
Chris pursues Danny and his mother from London to the north, where they take refuge with Danny's grandparents. But even there, nothing is safe. Danny is conspicuous as the only mixed-race boy in their small community, and with the ever-present threat of discovery, he has to learn how to live continually on the edge.
A tense and chilling story with terrific drama, THE EDGE shows the depth of character and the understanding of the predicaments of children today that gives Alan Gibbons his special quality.
We've got to go. Now.
It's early morning and Danny's mother is at his bedside, urging him to get up. They're on the run from Chris, his mother's boyfriend, a violent man who beats them both up, and won't let them go.
Chris pursues Danny and his mother from London to the north, where they take refuge with Danny's grandparents. But even there, nothing is safe. Danny is conspicuous as the only mixed-race boy in their small community, and with the ever-present threat of discovery, he has to learn how to live continually on the edge.
A tense and chilling story with terrific drama, THE EDGE shows the depth of character and the understanding of the predicaments of children today that gives Alan Gibbons his special quality.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
26 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gibbons
165 books56 followersAlan Gibbons is an author of children's books and a Blue Peter Book Award. He currently lives in Liverpool, England, where he used to teach in a primary school. His father was a farm laborer, but was hurt in an accident when Alan was eight years old. The family had to move to Crewe, Cheshire where Alan experienced bullying for the first time. He began to write for his pupils as a teacher, but never tried to get any of his work published.
Gibbons trained to be a teacher in his mid-thirties and starting writing short stories for his students. Later, he began to write professionally. In 2000, he won the Blue Peter Book Award in the category "The Book I Couldn't Put Down" category for Shadow of the Minotaur. He was a judge for the 2001 Blue Peter Book Awards. He was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2001 and 2003 and shortlisted twice for the Booktrust Teenage Prize. He has also won the Leicester Book of the Year, the Stockport Book Award, the Angus Book Award, the Catalyst Award, the Birmingham Chills Award, the Salford Young Adult Book Award and the Salford Librarians' Special Award.
Gibbons trained to be a teacher in his mid-thirties and starting writing short stories for his students. Later, he began to write professionally. In 2000, he won the Blue Peter Book Award in the category "The Book I Couldn't Put Down" category for Shadow of the Minotaur. He was a judge for the 2001 Blue Peter Book Awards. He was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2001 and 2003 and shortlisted twice for the Booktrust Teenage Prize. He has also won the Leicester Book of the Year, the Stockport Book Award, the Angus Book Award, the Catalyst Award, the Birmingham Chills Award, the Salford Young Adult Book Award and the Salford Librarians' Special Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 5, 2011
Description:
Danny is a boy on the edge. A boy teetering on the brink of no return, living in fear.
Cathy is his mother. She’s been broken by fear.
Chris Kane is fear- and they belong to him
But one day they escape. They’re looking for freedom, for a promised land where they can start really living. Instead they find prejudice, and danger of another kind.
^^
Blurb of the book
Characters:
Danny: He feels powerless and he is always scared of what Chris could do, and when he gets given the chance to escape he takes it, and does everything to help his mum escape. But they do, but other things start happening.
Cathy: A women who is scared and wants to escape Chris who hit she, and makes her feel alone, so when she gets the chance she takes her son, and runs, they manage to escape but that’s not the last of Chris Kane.
Chris: The man, both Danny and Cathy are scared of, and ran away from him, he thinks he owns Cathy and Danny, he thinks he is in love with her, and by that, he controlled her, and will do anything to find them, anything at all, to be able to control them both once again, even if it means hurting other people.
Abbie: Danny’s best friend, who gets caught in all of this, Chris Kane will stop at anything to get information, even if it id through Abbie.
Harry: Danny’s granddad and Cathy’s dad, he thinks the worst of them both, especially Danny, because of the colour of Danny’s skin, he is racist but he may have it in him, to change his views, and maybe Danny will be the one to change it.
Joan: Danny’s grandma and Cathy’s mum, she is so pleased to see them, and doesn’t even ask why they are back, she just wants everything to be a family, and she even argues with Harry, because of the way he acts.
Steve: He is a racist boy who has nothing better to do then pick on Danny, but Danny is allot stronger than he thinks, and he should of thought about that before being racist in front of Danny.
My thoughts:
I got this book, when i was in year 8, so 3 years ago, but i never read it, because i was nto into reading then, but the book is signed and i met the Author!!
I am glad i finally read it, and i was pleased i did, it’s not normally a book i read, but it was good, i liked how Alan Gibbons wrote the parts from different perspectives, it told the way i would like most stories to be, it showed, the victims, the person who causes the pain, and also the friends, and people who have witnessed or is part of it.
The ending was good, and i want to tell everyone to read it, it’s about, abuse, freedom, courage and prejudice.
Danny is a boy on the edge. A boy teetering on the brink of no return, living in fear.
Cathy is his mother. She’s been broken by fear.
Chris Kane is fear- and they belong to him
But one day they escape. They’re looking for freedom, for a promised land where they can start really living. Instead they find prejudice, and danger of another kind.
^^
Blurb of the book
Characters:
Danny: He feels powerless and he is always scared of what Chris could do, and when he gets given the chance to escape he takes it, and does everything to help his mum escape. But they do, but other things start happening.
Cathy: A women who is scared and wants to escape Chris who hit she, and makes her feel alone, so when she gets the chance she takes her son, and runs, they manage to escape but that’s not the last of Chris Kane.
Chris: The man, both Danny and Cathy are scared of, and ran away from him, he thinks he owns Cathy and Danny, he thinks he is in love with her, and by that, he controlled her, and will do anything to find them, anything at all, to be able to control them both once again, even if it means hurting other people.
Abbie: Danny’s best friend, who gets caught in all of this, Chris Kane will stop at anything to get information, even if it id through Abbie.
Harry: Danny’s granddad and Cathy’s dad, he thinks the worst of them both, especially Danny, because of the colour of Danny’s skin, he is racist but he may have it in him, to change his views, and maybe Danny will be the one to change it.
Joan: Danny’s grandma and Cathy’s mum, she is so pleased to see them, and doesn’t even ask why they are back, she just wants everything to be a family, and she even argues with Harry, because of the way he acts.
Steve: He is a racist boy who has nothing better to do then pick on Danny, but Danny is allot stronger than he thinks, and he should of thought about that before being racist in front of Danny.
My thoughts:
I got this book, when i was in year 8, so 3 years ago, but i never read it, because i was nto into reading then, but the book is signed and i met the Author!!
I am glad i finally read it, and i was pleased i did, it’s not normally a book i read, but it was good, i liked how Alan Gibbons wrote the parts from different perspectives, it told the way i would like most stories to be, it showed, the victims, the person who causes the pain, and also the friends, and people who have witnessed or is part of it.
The ending was good, and i want to tell everyone to read it, it’s about, abuse, freedom, courage and prejudice.
December 17, 2025
(YOU CAN SKIP THIS PART IF YOU WANT)
Here's how my system works. It's basically a colour coding system where different colours, obviously, mean different things.
PINK : So, if the title is colour coded pink, colour coding for the aspects of the book won't be used. Pink basically means 'outstandingly executed', and 'completely perfect'. But if the title ISN'T pink, then colour coding for the aspects of the book will be used. There are special cases where my ratings are 4.5 or 4.75, where, in this case, despite the title being pink, colour coding for the numerous aspects will apply.
GREEN : Green means good, or 'well-executed but could've been better'. Green applies to 3.5 or 4 star ratings.
YELLOW : Yellow means 'mid'. You know what mid means. Mediocre, for the boomers. Yellow, for the people who still don't get it, means that I'm generally apathetic toward the book or the aspect, and don't care much for it. It's the code for not very memorable, less well executed but still done in a way that's good enough. (3, 2.5)
RED : Bad, but not entirely. There are some good aspects. (2, 1.5)
GREY : Horrible. Shouldn't have been written. Could've been done better, and everything about this is utter trash. I can't believe this got through publication. I'm concerned. (1, 0.5, 0)
This applies to all books I'm reviewing, whether finished or DNF'd.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE EDGE (1.5, Red)
I read this around the same time I read the Island at the End of Everything, so last year or so. It was fast paced, and I finished it in two days, but after reading this I was so disturbed I couldn't read anything else for around three days or so. Every second of my day was me trying not to think about this, because this is, frankly, super creepy. It's thrilling, yes, but it's also literally 'keep you on the edge of your seat'. That isn't praise from me, though, because there are two types of 'keeps you on the edge of your seat'.
There's the first, where you're stressed out and also really interested in what's about to happen next and you can't get enough, the situation is so tense it has you in a choke-hold. And then there's the second type: when the situation is so disturbing and disgusting you're on the edge of your seat and at the brink of tears because ew, what is this, and you're about to throw the book across the wall. I did have to turn to more wholesome content after reading this, because pairing the Island at the End of Everything (a gut-wrenching book) with The Edge (a gut-emptying book) will do you no good if you are like me. The Edge will bring you to the edge of your seat and for the next few days after reading this, you will be on edge. (Clever wordplay, right?)
I'm trying to like this better, maybe up its rating because perhaps I didn't like this because I was reading something tense after something sad. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot bring myself to genuinely like this book, or recommend it to people. I can't.
Now, let's hit the enough button and get to the actual review.
TRIGGER WARNINGS
This book is potentially triggering for a lot of people, and it's important to shed light on this stuff because if you're a parent looking for a book for their kid to read, or someone who's sensitive, or someone who's triggered by this stuff, then you need to read this. It's best you do your research.
1- Physical Abuse
2- Domestic Violence/Abuse
3- Threatening Pursuit and Violence
4- Racism and Racial Prejudice
5- Family Conflict/Emotional Stress
6- Bullying (Including Racist Bullying)
7- Threats and Violence from a Pursuer
8- Emotional Abuse
9- Toxic Relationships
10- Violence and Physical Confrontation Among Teens
11- Swearing
12- Fear-related Stress and Anxiety
13- Age-based stigma/Teenage Pregnancy (I remember something of the sort being in here. I'll elaborate on that if I can.)
14- Parental Abandonment
15- Racially Motivated Damage and Implied Arson
Fifteen trigger warnings. That's quite a lot. Please read these carefully and then proceed with whether or not you want to read this book. This isn't for young readers at all. Even if they're mature readers, this isn't suitable for someone who's ten. If you're ten and read mature books, good on you, but refrain from reading this unless you know you can handle all this.
THE PLOT
I won't get too spoiler-y this time, and if I do, I'll hide it. I'll provide you with the blurb on my copy, because that's what motivated me to grab it and go. The websites I got the age rating from were misleading, it said it was appropriate.
"Danny is a boy on the edge. A boy teetering on the brink of no return, living in fear.
Cathy is his mother. She's been broken by fear.
Chris Kane is fear-- and they belong to him.
But one day they escape. They're looking for freedom, for a promised land where they can really start living. But instead, they find prejudice, and danger of another kind."
It's on me for getting this. I shouldn't have if I was going to complain this much. The back was very clear about the plot and all that. But based on the age rating I saw, I thought this book would be subtle about everything in it. I didn't check the trigger warnings and I didn't know about Goodreads back then, and I had a clear picture that hey, maybe this is tame. Maybe mature concepts will be portrayed subtly and in a way that's interesting to analyze. But I didn't expect... this.
The premise, the characters, the environment are all toxic. For people who like delving deep into the psyche, go ahead and read this. You want the POV of someone messed up? You may just love this. But not everything is done well, and while some characters seem like they have enough depth, others are tropes and are shallow. I think it's important to show nuance in stuff like this. To show that not everyone is a good person, and nobody is truly noble. Everyone has selfish instincts deep down. Some are just more upfront with their toxicity. The thing about this? Either everyone is selfish or selfless.
WRITING STYLE
I remember saying once that I loved present tense, or present indefinite tense writing styles because we're in the moment as everything happens, as if we're watching it play out. When talking about this, I'm very mixed regarding the present tense writing style. On one hand, I'm watching as everything unfolds, but on the other hand, I'm already uncomfortable with what's going on. If I'm watching as it happens it makes me feel like I'm watching it happen in real life and can't do anything to help out.
It's in third person, and it's written in such a way where sentences are short and punchy but they feel like prose. They have an impact because they're so matter of fact. They up the tension because actions are super quick and there's no reflection or hindsight. There are multiple points of view so we explore multiple perspectives. The chapters are really short, too, and it's formatted a bit like a diary, but instead of peace, we feel a weird sense of urgency. We know what the characters are thinking most of the time, but it's played out in the way where it's not like:
"Danny thought, 'We're screwed.'"
but it's like:
"Danny runs. He can't stop now. They'll find him."
I'm pretty sure this is called free indirect thought. It makes the story feel more personal.
CHRIS'S CHAPTERS
Abusers don't love, and it shows through his perspective. If they love, it's either on the brink of, or it is obsession. You know what they say: if he buys you flowers once, he loves you, but if he buys you flowers every day, he just loves buying you flowers. What this man thinks is that he loves Cathy and Danny and has done everything for them, but he really just loves the prospect of being controlling. He's self pitying and tries to justify what he's doing wrong.
He genuinely thinks he's in the right, that his obsession with Cathy is okay, and that he's this total angel. He justifies every wrong step he takes, like, for example, your parents lock you in your room and beat up all your friends because they're 'bad influences' under the guise of protection. And they genuinely believe they're doing right, that this will help you, but they don't realize it does the exact opposite. Like a government that oppresses the youth in an attempt to silence them. And then they all get mad when we speak up or raise our voices. That's true unadulterated narcissism. I know I say I'm a narcissist, but deep down I am not one.
Chris's narcissism shows in his abusive behavior. Narcissism isn't just a high ego. It's a genuine belief that you are better than other people, but it isn't always upfront. It isn't always 'oh i'm better than you'. Sometimes it's 'I do everything for you but you never give back?!' It's giving and then expecting. A severe lack of empathy. An obsession with dominance and/or control. Rage, when challenged. A hypersensitivity to criticism, and he pushes people to feed his inflated ego. This might also fit with sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies, but I won't go that far for now.
WHAT THIS BOOK COULD'VE DONE WITH ITS CHARACTERS VERSUS WHAT IT DID
Domestic abuse messes people up, genuinely. Victims struggle with the transition of going from an always tense environment to the normalcy from before everything started. And if they have kids, then there's this thing where they become overprotective or extremely alert. It causes trust issues, which leads to difficulty forming and maintaining new relationships. Sometimes the cycle repeats, and they endure more. They have trouble finding their place in the world, with finding peace. With repairing their morals.
Despite the apathy, some go on to make good choices and be good people, but they have trouble with it. They're conflicted between the convenient choice and the right choice. Making that right choice is what they struggle with. Sometimes they make the wrong choice. Deep down, some develop anger and intense resentment. It would be good to show that. To show that no one is truly noble in this world unless they try.
I don't mean to stereotype the lasting effects of abuse, or anything. I don't intend to disrespect or misrepresent actual survivors, I'm just saying that portraying this could help convey an important message. And not 'always be good' or 'you can do anything', but 'you're never good until you try'.
But what it did do, was make Danny overprotective, a little dominant and a bit... heroic. He's morally clear and brave and all that. And Cathy is nurturing, protective and understanding. They're both good people without thinking about what they do or if it's right. They don't have twisted morals, and for Danny who's implied to have known Chris for most of his life, shouldn't he have been a little morally ambiguous? I liked how the protective effect was explored, because Danny does seem overprotective, but it's weird.
I also think Danny's only specified to be black for the plot. For representation or to give the story more tension. Because if he wasn't black, there would be no subtle implication of condemnation of racism. I liked the representation of abuse victims and victims of racism, keep representing that minor public. They matter too.
A LITTLE SIDE NOTE FOR ANYONE GOING THROUGH THIS STUFF OR ANYONE WHO'S GONE THROUGH THIS
For the people going through this, please keep holding on. Everything will get better soon. The best thing you can do for yourself is get help of any shape or form, and if you can't, still hold on. It'll all be okay soon. You'll make your way out, just keep pushing through. You can do it.
And for the people who've gone through it all: also keep pushing through. You have more worth than you were taught. It'll all be alright. You're out of that situation now, for good. Nothing can get you or hurt you anymore.
This is my attempt at trying to reassure people. Apologies if it's bad. I know that likely, no one in trouble or out of trouble will see it, because what would drive them to go onto Goodreads and check reviews for the Edge, and stumble upon mine? Nothing. But I still want to let people know they aren't alone.
AGE RATING AND TARGET AUDIENCE
This isn't suitable for younger readers, that I've clarified. But what's the target age range for this book? I believe it's 15-19, and no less than fifteen. Fifteen is, in my opinion, the minimum age that can read this. But this is all my opinion in the end. Who knows, you might read it and find it's appropriate for younger audiences too. Don't let this discourage you from reading the book. I'm pretty sure it's used by schools PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education.
I don't think this has a specific target audience in mind. Psychologists might like this, they can study more dynamics and stuff.
THIS WHOLE REVIEW WAS ME TRYING TO BE NOT TOO SERIOUS. I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY, SO I MUST DEPART. <3
Here's how my system works. It's basically a colour coding system where different colours, obviously, mean different things.
PINK : So, if the title is colour coded pink, colour coding for the aspects of the book won't be used. Pink basically means 'outstandingly executed', and 'completely perfect'. But if the title ISN'T pink, then colour coding for the aspects of the book will be used. There are special cases where my ratings are 4.5 or 4.75, where, in this case, despite the title being pink, colour coding for the numerous aspects will apply.
GREEN : Green means good, or 'well-executed but could've been better'. Green applies to 3.5 or 4 star ratings.
YELLOW : Yellow means 'mid'. You know what mid means. Mediocre, for the boomers. Yellow, for the people who still don't get it, means that I'm generally apathetic toward the book or the aspect, and don't care much for it. It's the code for not very memorable, less well executed but still done in a way that's good enough. (3, 2.5)
RED : Bad, but not entirely. There are some good aspects. (2, 1.5)
GREY : Horrible. Shouldn't have been written. Could've been done better, and everything about this is utter trash. I can't believe this got through publication. I'm concerned. (1, 0.5, 0)
This applies to all books I'm reviewing, whether finished or DNF'd.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE EDGE (1.5, Red)
I read this around the same time I read the Island at the End of Everything, so last year or so. It was fast paced, and I finished it in two days, but after reading this I was so disturbed I couldn't read anything else for around three days or so. Every second of my day was me trying not to think about this, because this is, frankly, super creepy. It's thrilling, yes, but it's also literally 'keep you on the edge of your seat'. That isn't praise from me, though, because there are two types of 'keeps you on the edge of your seat'.
There's the first, where you're stressed out and also really interested in what's about to happen next and you can't get enough, the situation is so tense it has you in a choke-hold. And then there's the second type: when the situation is so disturbing and disgusting you're on the edge of your seat and at the brink of tears because ew, what is this, and you're about to throw the book across the wall. I did have to turn to more wholesome content after reading this, because pairing the Island at the End of Everything (a gut-wrenching book) with The Edge (a gut-emptying book) will do you no good if you are like me. The Edge will bring you to the edge of your seat and for the next few days after reading this, you will be on edge. (Clever wordplay, right?)
I'm trying to like this better, maybe up its rating because perhaps I didn't like this because I was reading something tense after something sad. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot bring myself to genuinely like this book, or recommend it to people. I can't.
Now, let's hit the enough button and get to the actual review.
TRIGGER WARNINGS
This book is potentially triggering for a lot of people, and it's important to shed light on this stuff because if you're a parent looking for a book for their kid to read, or someone who's sensitive, or someone who's triggered by this stuff, then you need to read this. It's best you do your research.
1- Physical Abuse
2- Domestic Violence/Abuse
3- Threatening Pursuit and Violence
4- Racism and Racial Prejudice
5- Family Conflict/Emotional Stress
6- Bullying (Including Racist Bullying)
7- Threats and Violence from a Pursuer
8- Emotional Abuse
9- Toxic Relationships
10- Violence and Physical Confrontation Among Teens
11- Swearing
12- Fear-related Stress and Anxiety
13- Age-based stigma/Teenage Pregnancy (I remember something of the sort being in here. I'll elaborate on that if I can.)
14- Parental Abandonment
15- Racially Motivated Damage and Implied Arson
Fifteen trigger warnings. That's quite a lot. Please read these carefully and then proceed with whether or not you want to read this book. This isn't for young readers at all. Even if they're mature readers, this isn't suitable for someone who's ten. If you're ten and read mature books, good on you, but refrain from reading this unless you know you can handle all this.
THE PLOT
I won't get too spoiler-y this time, and if I do, I'll hide it. I'll provide you with the blurb on my copy, because that's what motivated me to grab it and go. The websites I got the age rating from were misleading, it said it was appropriate.
"Danny is a boy on the edge. A boy teetering on the brink of no return, living in fear.
Cathy is his mother. She's been broken by fear.
Chris Kane is fear-- and they belong to him.
But one day they escape. They're looking for freedom, for a promised land where they can really start living. But instead, they find prejudice, and danger of another kind."
It's on me for getting this. I shouldn't have if I was going to complain this much. The back was very clear about the plot and all that. But based on the age rating I saw, I thought this book would be subtle about everything in it. I didn't check the trigger warnings and I didn't know about Goodreads back then, and I had a clear picture that hey, maybe this is tame. Maybe mature concepts will be portrayed subtly and in a way that's interesting to analyze. But I didn't expect... this.
The premise, the characters, the environment are all toxic. For people who like delving deep into the psyche, go ahead and read this. You want the POV of someone messed up? You may just love this. But not everything is done well, and while some characters seem like they have enough depth, others are tropes and are shallow. I think it's important to show nuance in stuff like this. To show that not everyone is a good person, and nobody is truly noble. Everyone has selfish instincts deep down. Some are just more upfront with their toxicity. The thing about this? Either everyone is selfish or selfless.
WRITING STYLE
I remember saying once that I loved present tense, or present indefinite tense writing styles because we're in the moment as everything happens, as if we're watching it play out. When talking about this, I'm very mixed regarding the present tense writing style. On one hand, I'm watching as everything unfolds, but on the other hand, I'm already uncomfortable with what's going on. If I'm watching as it happens it makes me feel like I'm watching it happen in real life and can't do anything to help out.
It's in third person, and it's written in such a way where sentences are short and punchy but they feel like prose. They have an impact because they're so matter of fact. They up the tension because actions are super quick and there's no reflection or hindsight. There are multiple points of view so we explore multiple perspectives. The chapters are really short, too, and it's formatted a bit like a diary, but instead of peace, we feel a weird sense of urgency. We know what the characters are thinking most of the time, but it's played out in the way where it's not like:
"Danny thought, 'We're screwed.'"
but it's like:
"Danny runs. He can't stop now. They'll find him."
I'm pretty sure this is called free indirect thought. It makes the story feel more personal.
CHRIS'S CHAPTERS
Abusers don't love, and it shows through his perspective. If they love, it's either on the brink of, or it is obsession. You know what they say: if he buys you flowers once, he loves you, but if he buys you flowers every day, he just loves buying you flowers. What this man thinks is that he loves Cathy and Danny and has done everything for them, but he really just loves the prospect of being controlling. He's self pitying and tries to justify what he's doing wrong.
He genuinely thinks he's in the right, that his obsession with Cathy is okay, and that he's this total angel. He justifies every wrong step he takes, like, for example, your parents lock you in your room and beat up all your friends because they're 'bad influences' under the guise of protection. And they genuinely believe they're doing right, that this will help you, but they don't realize it does the exact opposite. Like a government that oppresses the youth in an attempt to silence them. And then they all get mad when we speak up or raise our voices. That's true unadulterated narcissism. I know I say I'm a narcissist, but deep down I am not one.
Chris's narcissism shows in his abusive behavior. Narcissism isn't just a high ego. It's a genuine belief that you are better than other people, but it isn't always upfront. It isn't always 'oh i'm better than you'. Sometimes it's 'I do everything for you but you never give back?!' It's giving and then expecting. A severe lack of empathy. An obsession with dominance and/or control. Rage, when challenged. A hypersensitivity to criticism, and he pushes people to feed his inflated ego. This might also fit with sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies, but I won't go that far for now.
WHAT THIS BOOK COULD'VE DONE WITH ITS CHARACTERS VERSUS WHAT IT DID
Domestic abuse messes people up, genuinely. Victims struggle with the transition of going from an always tense environment to the normalcy from before everything started. And if they have kids, then there's this thing where they become overprotective or extremely alert. It causes trust issues, which leads to difficulty forming and maintaining new relationships. Sometimes the cycle repeats, and they endure more. They have trouble finding their place in the world, with finding peace. With repairing their morals.
Despite the apathy, some go on to make good choices and be good people, but they have trouble with it. They're conflicted between the convenient choice and the right choice. Making that right choice is what they struggle with. Sometimes they make the wrong choice. Deep down, some develop anger and intense resentment. It would be good to show that. To show that no one is truly noble in this world unless they try.
I don't mean to stereotype the lasting effects of abuse, or anything. I don't intend to disrespect or misrepresent actual survivors, I'm just saying that portraying this could help convey an important message. And not 'always be good' or 'you can do anything', but 'you're never good until you try'.
But what it did do, was make Danny overprotective, a little dominant and a bit... heroic. He's morally clear and brave and all that. And Cathy is nurturing, protective and understanding. They're both good people without thinking about what they do or if it's right. They don't have twisted morals, and for Danny who's implied to have known Chris for most of his life, shouldn't he have been a little morally ambiguous? I liked how the protective effect was explored, because Danny does seem overprotective, but it's weird.
I also think Danny's only specified to be black for the plot. For representation or to give the story more tension. Because if he wasn't black, there would be no subtle implication of condemnation of racism. I liked the representation of abuse victims and victims of racism, keep representing that minor public. They matter too.
A LITTLE SIDE NOTE FOR ANYONE GOING THROUGH THIS STUFF OR ANYONE WHO'S GONE THROUGH THIS
For the people going through this, please keep holding on. Everything will get better soon. The best thing you can do for yourself is get help of any shape or form, and if you can't, still hold on. It'll all be okay soon. You'll make your way out, just keep pushing through. You can do it.
And for the people who've gone through it all: also keep pushing through. You have more worth than you were taught. It'll all be alright. You're out of that situation now, for good. Nothing can get you or hurt you anymore.
This is my attempt at trying to reassure people. Apologies if it's bad. I know that likely, no one in trouble or out of trouble will see it, because what would drive them to go onto Goodreads and check reviews for the Edge, and stumble upon mine? Nothing. But I still want to let people know they aren't alone.
AGE RATING AND TARGET AUDIENCE
This isn't suitable for younger readers, that I've clarified. But what's the target age range for this book? I believe it's 15-19, and no less than fifteen. Fifteen is, in my opinion, the minimum age that can read this. But this is all my opinion in the end. Who knows, you might read it and find it's appropriate for younger audiences too. Don't let this discourage you from reading the book. I'm pretty sure it's used by schools PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education.
I don't think this has a specific target audience in mind. Psychologists might like this, they can study more dynamics and stuff.
THIS WHOLE REVIEW WAS ME TRYING TO BE NOT TOO SERIOUS. I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY, SO I MUST DEPART. <3
September 8, 2015
Danny is a boy who has lived his whole life in fear, he is always teetering on the brink of no return. Cathy, his mother, has been mangled and broken by fear. Chris Kane is fear, and they belong to him. It all began one night when the two decide to break free from their fear to a promise land, a new life. Instead of freedom they find both prejudice and a danger of a different kind. Danny is a traumatised, ‘insecure' and an `abused' teenager; Cathy is low in self-esteem, damaged but independent and Chris is a ‘psychotic animal’. Cathy and Danny must keep a low profile as they Chris does everything he can while lurking in the shadows to regain his one true love. The Edge is a dramatic thriller about a mother and son desperate to start a new life. The story is written in a unique narrative form, different characters can convey their different emotions about the same parts of the story. This is an unusual technique and it is very difficult to write as you have to understand the characters and their emotions in order for us to develop a better understanding of the story. A great story that makes us want to turn the page!
GREAT STORY
GREAT STORY
July 2, 2008
This is a really good book with lots of suspense and contains mainly family violence.Danny and his mum run away from his mother's boyfriend who violates the whole family.
October 8, 2018
I hated this book, and not because I read this book at school, I gave this book a shot. I could not connect with the characters, I told my friend and she asked me if I was ok with Racism and sexism, I said no (which is true) and that the story just felt like you were reading it in a room and where not emerged in the story
the characters were very stereotypical and plan. Danny is a Back boy who loves the track, In my school every boy in my class loves track. Cathy is a woman who had a teen pregnancy and her dad would not help her. Chris Kane is a white abusive step-boyfriend who hates the black kid in the town. and those are the main characters but all of the characters where stereotypical.
the story was tedious and slow. the story dragged on and on. and when the most 'climatic' part of the story, that just dragged on and on and on, like this sentence.
the characters were very stereotypical and plan. Danny is a Back boy who loves the track, In my school every boy in my class loves track. Cathy is a woman who had a teen pregnancy and her dad would not help her. Chris Kane is a white abusive step-boyfriend who hates the black kid in the town. and those are the main characters but all of the characters where stereotypical.
the story was tedious and slow. the story dragged on and on. and when the most 'climatic' part of the story, that just dragged on and on and on, like this sentence.
May 3, 2024
15 year old Danny and his mum run to the edge to escape ‘the animal’. Despite it not seeming like the promised land Danny imagines on arrival, it doesn’t stop them beginning a new life. Did they cover all their tracks or will the animal find them?
The book that got me into reading! Having not read a book since school this was such a great starting point and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more! The way it flicks through characters covers the story from different points of views and never leaves you wondering about someone. I loved the way it switched on cliff hangers and no matter what point you stopped reading you were always left wondering what was going to happen next! I couldn’t stop thinking about it and was picking it up any chance I got!
The book that got me into reading! Having not read a book since school this was such a great starting point and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more! The way it flicks through characters covers the story from different points of views and never leaves you wondering about someone. I loved the way it switched on cliff hangers and no matter what point you stopped reading you were always left wondering what was going to happen next! I couldn’t stop thinking about it and was picking it up any chance I got!
December 12, 2022
Not a fan. I read it because I ended up doing some substitute teaching at a school where the Year 8's were reading it. I found the writing a little dated and 'clunky' and the portrayal of Chris and Cathy disturbing without being developed as much as it needed to be for me to find it interesting rather than uncomfortable. It seemed to work for the young people who were studying it, though - maybe it's an age thing (although that usually doesn't pose a problem for me...) Interesting to hear what other people think.
October 18, 2017
A really easy read! One of the first books I read after graduating from university. University had a way of making me hate reading...
I found the characters really relatable and the book got intense sometimes, which was good. I do recommend for an easy read.
I found the characters really relatable and the book got intense sometimes, which was good. I do recommend for an easy read.
October 24, 2019
Another page Turner from Alan Gibbons. Kept me interested all through the book and routing for the mother and son running to escape their abuser. Will be find them again or not? He wants his property back as he calls them.
June 21, 2021
This book was absolutely amazing. So many twists and turns. You think you know what’s going to happen and then something completely unexpected happens. So much suspense and tension. Top read. Definitely recommend!
April 30, 2024
I read this in January but forgot to mark as read. This book was so boring and predictable halfway through I had to skip to the end to see how it finished. I now see that if I did read it all, I would have wasted my time. Boring book with very predictable and boring ending.
May 3, 2019
Alex: This book tells a brilliant story about a mother and son. I recommend it a lot.
September 23, 2024
Easy read and nicely done to jump between the characters’ points of view. Tricky topics handled well while keeping the reader interested
January 21, 2025
Read this in English as a class novel expecting to not like it but it was actually quite good considering I never picked it, if I never finished it at school I would've bought it
September 23, 2018
He awakes with a start. Somebody is shaking him. Roughly.
"What..."
A hand covers his mouth, choking off the question. For a moment he gives a surge of panic, then he makes out a face in the darkness. His mother.
Their journey begins there. Danny's mother wakes him up and they run away. From what? From Chris Kane, who is all about fear. trying to find a better life they run to Danny's grandparent's place. But then again there is a problem. Danny is a dark-skinned boy. His mother is white. His real father has left him long ago with his mom. In his new town, there is a big problem. Racism. Will Danny be okay from Chris who is chasing him? Will the town accept him for being who he did not choose to be?
"What..."
A hand covers his mouth, choking off the question. For a moment he gives a surge of panic, then he makes out a face in the darkness. His mother.
Their journey begins there. Danny's mother wakes him up and they run away. From what? From Chris Kane, who is all about fear. trying to find a better life they run to Danny's grandparent's place. But then again there is a problem. Danny is a dark-skinned boy. His mother is white. His real father has left him long ago with his mom. In his new town, there is a big problem. Racism. Will Danny be okay from Chris who is chasing him? Will the town accept him for being who he did not choose to be?
January 10, 2015
This is a Young-adult fiction book written by Alan Gibbons. This is a book that talks a lot about racism. The setting of this book is London. This book is about a boy named Danny, and his mother, Cathy, living on the edge (Where Cathy used to live when she was a child), in fear, because of a man named Chris Kane, who thinks that he is Danny's father and think that Cathy and Danny belonged to him. One day, Cathy and Danny escaped from Chris Kane with his money to Danny's grandparents home, Cork Terrace number one. Chris Kane was really furious, and wanted to take them back, but the problem is that he does not know where they went. Danny's grandma, Joan, is really pleased to see them back, without even asking them why. But, Danny's granddad thinks the worst of Danny and Cathy, especially Danny, because of is skin colour. So, Danny struggled to live at the edge. Chris Kane, certainly did not give up, and found where they were. There were lots of violence then, but surprisingly, Harry stood up and protected his family. At last, Danny's real father, Des helped them, called the police and Chris Kane was arrested.
It is unique when the author uses the character names as the subtitle, so inside every subtitle, it would say what that character is thinking about, so this means that the author is writing the book in different angles or points of view.
It is unique when the author uses the character names as the subtitle, so inside every subtitle, it would say what that character is thinking about, so this means that the author is writing the book in different angles or points of view.
February 6, 2016
I have to say, this book really surprised me. Lately I've been trying to get through these shorts novels that have just been accumulating over the years, between my more lengthy reads, and I have not been very happy. There have been several now that have just been bad, but no not this one. I mean you look at the cover, read the first page and just think ugh, a YA novel author thats trying to make a breakout. I expected cheesy writing and a half assed plot, but boy this one shocked me. It really is on the edge of being all the things I mentioned above with its adolescent perspective, predictable character arcs, and font changing, however I found it to be blunt and real. it really was straightforward in that what happened happened. It turned out to be a harrowing tale of abuse that made my heart pound and my fingers flick pages. The writing was expressive, but it really was the whole mood that stole the show. I sort of had this vague idea of what was going to happen, so I was filled with this dread throughout. The book was engaging, and shocked me so bad. Honestly just never just a book by its cover, ever.
February 12, 2017
Like several of Gibbons' other books, The Edge is officially billed as a children's book, but deals with themes that are equally relevant and interesting to adults. Also like some of his other work, it is a story with an agenda to communicate, and that can often be detrimental to the story itself as the author tries to ram his of her point home. Such is not the case with this book, however, as Gibbons offers an excellent and very believable plot with few 'Deus Ex Machina' moments and lots of everyday events. The story is presented as the internal monologues of the characters involved with clear headings every time there is a change in the point-of-view letting you know whose thoughts you are now looking into. This excellent delivery, combined with a few fancy fonts for the headings, makes for a very compelling multi-faceted narrative and allows the development of every character through the story to be clearly seen. Overall I recommend this heartily to everyone, it isn't hugely long but it packs a lot in, you won't be disappointed.
December 18, 2014
I really, really, really did not like this book at all.
I thought the plot was very boring and tedious and I found the story dragged on impossibly long. I didn't find myself caring very much about the characters either - I mean, the only one I actually did like was the racist grandfather who redeemed himself by not being racist. Other than that, I really didn't like the characters at all: Danny was big-headed, Cathy was naive, Joan and Des were silly, pointless side characters and Chris wasn't in it that much.
I also found myself disapointed with the ending. It was too happy and very anticlimactic.
Although the writing in this book isn't bad, I still didn't like it very much, however it was unlikely I would have liked it anyway as this genre isn't my favourite.
I thought the plot was very boring and tedious and I found the story dragged on impossibly long. I didn't find myself caring very much about the characters either - I mean, the only one I actually did like was the racist grandfather who redeemed himself by not being racist. Other than that, I really didn't like the characters at all: Danny was big-headed, Cathy was naive, Joan and Des were silly, pointless side characters and Chris wasn't in it that much.
I also found myself disapointed with the ending. It was too happy and very anticlimactic.
Although the writing in this book isn't bad, I still didn't like it very much, however it was unlikely I would have liked it anyway as this genre isn't my favourite.
May 23, 2013
I first read this when it came out, and I was a teenager at the time. I recently found a copy of it on a 'take a book, leave a book' shelf and couldn't resist reading it again.
It's a good story, very readable, and the multiple perspectives are great. Definitely deserves its award and should be at the top of every young adults list.
The writing is stippled with cliches and dialogue that made me wince at how unbelievable it was, but, as it's a book aimed at a younger audience, I'm inclined not to make a stink about it. This is a book that's all about the story, and it kept me riveted, then and now.
It's a good story, very readable, and the multiple perspectives are great. Definitely deserves its award and should be at the top of every young adults list.
The writing is stippled with cliches and dialogue that made me wince at how unbelievable it was, but, as it's a book aimed at a younger audience, I'm inclined not to make a stink about it. This is a book that's all about the story, and it kept me riveted, then and now.
September 25, 2013
Synopsis: It's about a boy and his mom trying to escape from 'The Monster' who is Chris Kane and go through many things to get to the promise land.
Evaluation/Recommendation: I enjoyed this book because I got connected to Danny, the main character, who goes through struggles to get away from the monster and stand up for him self. I recommend this book to everyone above the age of 11 because if you any younger, you will not understand the problems in the book.
Memorable Quote: "At least this doesn't involve him. let the animal rot, please let him rot."
Evaluation/Recommendation: I enjoyed this book because I got connected to Danny, the main character, who goes through struggles to get away from the monster and stand up for him self. I recommend this book to everyone above the age of 11 because if you any younger, you will not understand the problems in the book.
Memorable Quote: "At least this doesn't involve him. let the animal rot, please let him rot."
December 2, 2014
The plot I found very gripping even though at first I felt extremely uncomfortable reading this subject. The writing style was not an issue although it was very original it was sort of like you were inside the person's head but it was told in third person which was a bit odd. I also loved how every character had their own font style. although the reason I couldn't quite give this book the full five stars was that the characters weren't very well developed although better than I have read before.
October 20, 2020
The message of this book was fantastic and really showed how racial discrimination and domestic violence can affect families over a long period of time.
However, sadly I just didn’t connect with any of the characters and it took me a while to finish this book due to that as I just wasn’t invested in the story. It just wasn’t a read for me but the premise was fantastic and the topics handled really well,
I would recommend this book even though it wasn’t personally my taste as it does such a great job at tackling hard topics that need to be more understood and discussed within society.
However, sadly I just didn’t connect with any of the characters and it took me a while to finish this book due to that as I just wasn’t invested in the story. It just wasn’t a read for me but the premise was fantastic and the topics handled really well,
I would recommend this book even though it wasn’t personally my taste as it does such a great job at tackling hard topics that need to be more understood and discussed within society.
September 4, 2022
This was a fabulously written book, and a great attempt to get into the minds of those involved in domestic abuse, both perpetrator and victim. Disturbing thought patterns bring a chill to you as you read the obsessive comments of Chris Kane as he hunts down and pursues Cathy Mangam across the country.
June 17, 2021
This book surprised me. I thought it would be a childrens' book with typical themes of the genre, yet it is centered around violence and racism. By being told from a teenagers point of view, it provides an emotional insight into what it is like to deal with such isues growing up in a difficult environment.
June 22, 2015
Written really well, at first I wasn't sure about this one, but it's gripping and intriguing and it was great to read from so many of the different characters to understand their mind sets. It tackles two very difficult topics, domestic abuse and racism and I think it was interesting to see both sides of them and to see some of the characters develop over the story. Particularly the grandad.
June 1, 2008
I dont really read books like this.
It was fasted paced. A very easy novel about running from a boyfriend who is nasty to your mum and setting up a life in a place that you grew up in.
It was sentimental and makes you think a lot.
It was fasted paced. A very easy novel about running from a boyfriend who is nasty to your mum and setting up a life in a place that you grew up in.
It was sentimental and makes you think a lot.
April 1, 2011
The book is about a boy (Danny) being born to a 16 year old girl Cathy. Chris is Cathy's husband and does not accept Danny as their child so they have a big runaway type chase. The book is filled with mysterious stories and is perfect for the ones who enjoy suspense and mystery.
September 21, 2012
Great book...! Really had me on edge throughout the whole book, and towards the end i was trying to shout at the characters THROUGH THE BOOK what was happening that they didn't know about! As you can probably tell, I found this book rather gripping... :)
February 22, 2013
Till today I still wish we had finished reading this book in school. it was such an amazingly captivating book and very well written too. it's definitely one of the books I'll read again this time from start to finish.
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