Brixton Rock

by Alex Wheatle

Brixton Rock is a rites of passage novel, set in South London in early 1980. Brenton Brown is a 16-year-old mixed race youth who has lived in a children's home all his life - until now. Released into the laid-back care of Lambeth Council hostel for teenagers, he and his hostel-mate Floyd go to all-night raves and duck and dive around the locale. Despite the fun on offer however, the youth has his share of the blues. The best thing Brenton is reunited with his mother. And the he falls in love with his beautiful half-sister. This forbidden passion causes them both deep anguish. At the same time, Brenton meets his Nemesis in the shape of Terry Flynn, who scars him for life. All this leads to an explosive climax with the troubled teenager struggling to hold on to his sanity. Brixton Rock is a wonderfully funny and riotous read...Alex Wheatle both moves and entertains us with his deadly inside knowledge as he tracks a pair of adolescent males on the loose. It is a heartwarming read... Brixton Rock is a powerful and gripping read. It is also one of the FUNNIEST novels around.

Genres: Fiction, London, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Novels, Race

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Alex Alphonso Wheatle was a British novelist, who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment after the 1981 Brixton riot in London.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason I thought this book was about events leading up to the Brixton Riots of 1981. Wrong book. Alex Wheatle did write one on that. As I waited for the riots to begin, another type of story developed. Without spoiling the story, this is a raw, complex, and charming story all wrapped into one. First, the characters even in their complexity are endearing. You root for them. You want them to succeed. Second, the setting is dope. I've spent very little time in London, but next time I'm there I want to walk around Brixton. I want to absorb it. I realize that we are 40 years past the setting of this book, but I want to imagine myself stomping the streets on my way to a rave with "me brethren." Third, I trust Wheatle's depiction of the hard London scene especially for Black Londoners. The characters and the setting are very relatable for me even though I grew up in another country, and I'm much younger than the main characters. The anti-black racism I relate to. Finally, this is the third novel I've read published in 1999 by Black British writers. They all bring something different to readers, but one thing is common---they highlighted British racism. One more thing: if you read this (and I recommend that you do) listen to a good Classical Reggae playlist with it. I listened to "Black Britain: Windrush Generation" on Spotify.

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book with all my heart. The story is very touching and it feels extremely real as you read it. I completely fall in love with the main character, Brenton. When I finished reading the book, I was missing Brenton and I couldn't wait a day before buying the next volume called 'Brenton Brown'. I felt the urge to know what was gonna happen to him. I will never forget how engaging it was to travel through these pages, it was like being with Brenton each and every step of his turbulent journey. Alex Wheatle's story is a gift that teaches us to never loose hope.

[Bethan Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow it’s only February and already my second book about incest of the year! Whilst I enjoyed the story, writing style and character development of the main character Brenton, the same cannot be said for the female characters, who were one dimensional and only appeared to think about men. I also just can’t get on board with a book that refers to women as ‘pieces of beef’ so minus points for this

[Natasha Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A trip down memory lane in a lot of respects - very evocative of an era I remember, the rhythm and register of the prose was excellent - and I found myself nossing and laughing at the patois used. The story was interesting but I felt it tailed off at the end - don't want to go into too much detail as it will spoil the narrative.

[Jas · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, Well written male characters, not so well written female characters, incredibly weird book

[Sasha Mottaghi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant story, capturing life in Brixton in the 1980s. It is undoubtedly rooted in the reality of the place, its people, and its context (and goodness knows Wheatle proves he knows the place inside out - every street name and bus route seems to be accurate and real), giving it all a real grounding and a proper sense of itself.

My only mild gripe is the trajectories of some of the characters themselves/the way that the plot shifts; it may well be 'right' but it just left me feeling a little detached. Not a fault, per se, just perhaps not quite always going to be to my taste.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My point is that it seems the establishment wish to sell our own culture back to ourselves in the form of the likes of Ali G, while ignoring what is really happening in street culture. We need to sell our own culture from its original source and I hope my novels redress that balance a little (Wheatle).

Wheatle has the capacity to make you feel that you are there, in Brixton, in the late Seventies, early Eighties. I was only a child then but I remember my mum talking about Brixton, the music, the scene and the vibe. Brenton could indeed be any teenager, and his attempt at forging an adult identity despite his past and present, leads him to discover himself, his need for love support, acceptance. I think this book shines for the hope it gives teenagers and also for the vibe it so correctly depicts, the music, the street life, the attempts of people at making a good life against all odds. However, Brenton's life is not easy, having been abandoned by his parents into social care the reader follows his attempts at surviving, finding a job, navigating the Front Line. Race is a key component of this work, and Wheatle portrays it as it is without any attempt at sugarcoating it. The layers of hatred, the police brutality at the time, white on black violence and black on black violence are all in there, as well as the female family figures that are so key in keeping things somewhat together. Am onto East of Acre Lane next.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

We visited Brixton after reading this book in our Bookclub and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, ending up with a Caribbean lunch. It was great to get a feel for the place this book was set in. I did feel that Alex Wheatle (or the editor) probably tried a little hard in some places to use maybe more 'sophisticated' words than were actually not necessary and I lost the flow of the writing as a result, or it didn't quite fit the scene. The only other thing that bothered me was the relationship between the brother and sister, and whether it was actually even required in the story. I struggled to believe that the sister would really make that choice as she came across as an educated woman with a good job etc. I understand it from his side and the life he had lived to date but not hers. I think their relationship could easily have taken a different path than it did. Apart from that, a solid book about a young man trying to find his way in a crappy life

[Carlos Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and authentic insight into British-Jamaican life in early 1980s Brixton. Given how comprehensively gentrified Brixton has become, it's very valuable and interesting to have this memento of its previous incarnation. Brixton Rock is a tribute to a place and time, as well as a study of loneliness, identity and the importance of friends and family.

The language won't be a barrier to anyone raised in London; to others, it could be. Oh, and I won't leave any spoilers, but I thought one of the themes of the book was unnecessarily yucky!

[Elaine Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book for so many reasons.... I was brought up in Camberwell, I am familiar with every road & place he mentions... Pure nostalgia! The main story is so true of children brought up in care then find their birth families. I felt what they felt, I was there, he made me feel part of what was happening. A brilliant author.

[yassira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brixton Rock made me make time to read for pleasure again; a thing I’d been meaning to do for longer than I care to admit. Protagonist Brenton Brown was such a well written, full character that I was completely taken in to his story and his environment. He felt real, and I was so sorry to see the book end, I immediately bought Brenton Brown (the book), and can’t wait to delve in. Beautiful work.

[David Peat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding
Set in Brixton in 1980, the coming-of-age novel is brutal, sensitive and completely genuine. As a middle aged white man in Newcastle, the main character resonated and the story was mesmerising. A remarkable achievement. Buy, beg or steal a copy.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about Brixton and seeing my favourite local park - Ruskin park - in print. The prose was a bit clunky at times, but the speech was alive and crackling, really captures individual characters.

[Vasiti Ratusau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read. Gave insight into the life of Brixton's hard done by.

[Ricamarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Alex Wheatle. I don't really know much about life for West Indians especially when they first came to England. Only the stories my family have told me. I was interested to hear what life was like for Brenton Brown. Brenton has had it tough and I really hope life picks up for him. I really thought things were going to look up for him when he met his mother but they didn't. I feel the mother could've done more for him. Brenton just wanted his mother's love. His sister needs to be held accountable. She's older than Brenton and what happened wasn't right. It was uncomfortable to read. I do feel like it could have been dealt with by the authorities especially given Brenton was in care and was vulnerable but I had to remind myself this was in the 80s and I guess children's services were not as regulated as they are now.

Brenton often dissociated, dreaming for a better life and made a friend in Mr Brown which was a makeshift scarecrow but that's what gave Brenton comfort. It was interesting to see how the windrush generation lived and the community spirit in South London and the underground raves they had, continuing the West Indian culture with music and dance. The beef with Flynn was interesting to read and just goes to show the street life is something that has been happening for years and years. It gave insight to how people get involved in certain criminal activities too and how their upbringing can really affect them, but they can also turn their life around. I would recommend this book and I would like to read more of the author's novels. Im really rooting for Brenton and I hope he gets the right support and therapy...

[readwithkapz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really mixed views on this book.

‘Brixton Rock’ centres around Brenton Brown, a mixed race teenager who lives in a hostel.

His Jamaican mother, Cynthia Massey, was already married and had a little girl in Jamaica before she met Brenton’s father, Gary.

After receiving an ultimatum from her husband, Mr Massey, Ms Massey decided to remain in Jamaica, leaving Gary with Brenton in the UK.

Gary soon left Brenton with social services, abandoning him at a very young age. From then on, over the years Brenton would live in a care home and witness several traumatic events, affecting his psyche and development.

I’ll be honest here and say that I was disappointed with this book. In the early parts, I felt as though the plot didn’t really have any direction.

After many years, Brenton meets his mother Cynthia, which sees them both attempt to recand half-sister Juliet, who develops a romantic attraction to Brenton.

Yes, they are siblings. Yes, they kissed. Yes, they ended up having sex.

This book was frustrating because up until the last 1/4 of the book, there wasn’t much happening or to enjoy. Then all of a sudden, the book springs into life.

I genuinely feel this book would be much better as a film. Whether it would be a good film, I don’t know.

All in all, this book was average.

[Ella Ranasinghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wheatle never fails to transport me into another world.
I started reading this book when I moved back home
from Uni this summer, to South West London, where this book is set. I would read it on public transport and picture the area I was in how it was described in the book. The London described in the book is the London my parents describe, and despite the rough and dangerous nature, reminisce. Authenticity was at the heart of South London as people had no choice but to be themselves, no time or reason to pretend. Soundsystem culture and black music from black people was described as being everywhere, and many of the musicians listed off in the book I would listen to while I read. Wheatles description skills are just so incredible, looks of shock and horror would be written all over my face on the tube in some points, smiles and near tears in others.
His books got me back into reading I’ll be forever greatful for that, RIP babes.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Brixton Rock knowing it was the first book in Alex Wheatle’s story about Brenton Brown, set in South London, a place I’m familiar with. The book really pulls you into the world of a young mixed-race teenager trying to find his way amid the challenges of family, identity, and growing up in Brixton during the 1980s.

Wheatle’s writing is raw and honest, capturing the atmosphere and struggles of the time with real heart. While some parts felt a little slow, overall it’s a powerful and important read that sets up Brenton’s story in a way that stays with you.

I’m glad I read it first because it gives so much context for the sequel. If you’re interested in stories about London life and coming-of-age challenges, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I read by Alex Wheatle. Loved the language of the book. Dialogue is authentic…ha! I didn’t expect a book about incest. However the book missed an opportunity to actually explore why the act of infest happened. Siblings separated are often drawn to each other. Depending on their sexual orientation they think it is a sexual attraction when they meet. I’ve heard similar stories by siblings in care who didn’t know they were related. It would have been good for this to have been explored. The sexual interaction/incest was presented as pure love but was it? Made for uncomfortable reading. And something left under explored in an otherwise powerful book.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm only just old enough to remember the Brixton Riots and being a white girl from N Ireland I knew nothing about why it happened. This book is a glimpse into that world. I did wonder if the riots themselves would feature and there was always a sense of something brewing. The author has obviously used history to their advantage. The story however was not what I was expecting and quite an uncomfortable subject. ( But hey I grew up on Star Wars so I could handle it!) Over all a good read.

[Venessa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book years ago, now encouraging my teenager to read it. A very honest and reflective book of the time, still current and reflective of today. All of this book is a collective experience from lots of people of his generation.

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story, but unnecessary incest plot - made me so uncomfortable reading it. Could have been so much more interesting without it.

Also I just want to know what happened to Brenton’s father.

[Sophie Banner · Rating 5 out of 5]

How will I go on with my life not knowing what happens to Brenton Brown?

[Brayden Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half: where is this going
3/4: wtf
4/4: that was a good ending

Really dig this author. Will defs be checking out more.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing wasn’t the best but I liked most of the story. I wish it focused more on the location it’s set in rather than the storyline of Brenton and Juliet.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching, evocative novel, which brings to life 1980s Brixton vividly.

[Katy McCallion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brenton Brown is a likeable and sympathetic character. I got very involved in his story. There is a lot of head-hopping, even with minor characters.

[Anna Baynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did this need the incest? I’m not sure

[Pippa Lear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting to read a book from a different perspective of life than I know. I became completely engaged with the main character. The ending felt a bit rushed though but despite this I still enjoyed the story.