Raw

by Scott Monk

Brett Dalton is filled with hate and not afraid of a fight, but when he is sent to The Farm, his only opponent is himself.



Brett Dalton is a tough guy—hardened, angry, uncaring, and always ready to use his fists. When the world hates you, you might as well hate it back. But when Brett is busted by the cops for stealing and sent to The Farm for rehab, there are no fences to keep him in and anger—and love—get in his way. Brett's trapped in a grave new world, a world where he's not hardened at all; he's raw.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, School, Teen

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Scott Monk (born 14 June 1974) is an Australian author. Monk was born in Macksville in New South Wales before moving to South Australia to join The Advertiser as a cadet journalist. In 1999 he won South Australia's Young Journalist of the Year Award.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a ehh I had to read it for school, it's not bad then it's not that good either I wished it ended better, didn't sound like a happy ending, but I guess that changing is important, I just wished there was more to it to know what happened to him and the girl and if he went to jail or not :/

[Siobhan · Rating 1 out of 5]

the only reason i read this was becuase it was for an english assignment.
i thought the ending was terrible...

[Sharkcrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I'm forcing onto my year 10s. The reluctant readers are actually enjoying it, but the reader-girls in the class are hating it (and begging me to let them read the latest Lauren Kate instead). As for me, I quite enjoyed it. There are some random exclamation points that drive me a bit mental, but it is serving as a good warning to some of my more unruly boys.

Let me share a conversation this novel prompted:

Student: so Miss, in these places in real life, they have video cameras and stuff everywhere right?
Me: Yessss
Student: Well, I'm a boy. And I have needs. What if I was in there and needed to masterbate?
Me: Well I guess you'd be caught on camera
Student: but that's so dirty Miss!
Me: I guess you better make sure you don't end up in a detention centre then!!

I think he was disappointed that he didn't manage to get the horrified reaction he was expecting out of me.

So, in short, a decent enough book with some interesting themes, with enough to scare some of the naughty boys straight!

[Ellie Carless · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m teaching this book for a unit on characterisation. The way women are depicted in this book is really problematic, especially since this book is directed at young boys. One of the two women in the book ends up being a sex worker who “no one will want any more” and the other is a virginal angel (guess who the love interest is in the end). I would not recommend teaching this text unless addressing these issues, otherwise you’ll end up implicitly reinforcing attitudes that young men and women need to be dismantling.

[em · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a student and I was forced to read this book for English. All of the character development that Brett gets throughout all of the book, goes down the drain at the end of the book. Would not recommend.

[Angell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as bad as I’d feared.
The cover was so off putting and the story was not something I’d have chosen to read, but it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected.
Some surprises in the narrative as it wasn’t a predictable redemption arc although the dropping in and out and having to work out the events that had taken place in between wasn’t great.
A bit of cringe at the “the girl that saves him from himself” theme: women aren’t your therapy, but I did appreciate that not ending so simply. Will be interesting to see how the class responds …

[Amy (Lost in a Good Book) · Rating 2 out of 5]

What disappointed me most about this book is how much I didn’t really like it. I adored Monk’s other book, Boys ‘R’ Us, and it’s a shame that didn’t happen with this one.

Brett is a hard character to like, he demands things, he never listens or learns, and you want to yell at him yourself for a lot of the book. He fights against those trying to help him, which is to be expected, but he isn’t someone you want to root for either. Just when you think he is starting to learn he goes and does something stupid again. It just makes you hate him even more.

It’s the standard story, Brett hates the world, gets into trouble a lot, gets sent to a rehab facility to straighten him out and befriends the man in charge who uses tough love and friendship to get him to change his ways. It leaves you feeling unfulfilled and while there is character development, it’s unsatisfying and a bit cheesy at times.

It wasn’t overly bad, but Brett manages to get himself in a lot of situations that are sometimes his fault and others they aren’t. It’s a typical story that was enjoyable enough but not one I would read again. It has been on my TBR list for about 15 years so at least I can say I finally crossed it off if nothing else.

This review was also published on my blog http://wp.me/p3x8rS-1nV

[Calum Timms · Rating 3 out of 5]

I also remember reading this book as a related text in High School english. Upon seeing the cover, and reading the description, it seems quite basic (and stays reasonably the same), but as the story progresses, it really begins to grab you. A very good book if you're just looking to fill a gap, or want a straight forward, quick read. Not a challenging read by any means, but I found it very interesting, and the plot was thick enough to keep me hooked until the end.

[Ms_M_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a solid older young adult read. It addresses some more serious themes and topics that may not be appropriate for younger readers. The characters are well written, and their development (or lack thereof) makes for an enjoyable read.

[Evan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was forced to read this for English class.. After many years, it is still the worst book i have ever had the displeasure of reading. The themes and characters are cringe worthy. Scott Monk must have nude photographs of someone on the curriculum board for kids to have to be subjected to this.

[David Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after hearing Scott Monk present to Matthias Media Christian Writers Group, 15 October 2018. I fortuitously found a copy of the book as a giveaway item ex-library stock of the Conservatorium High School. The book had been set as a Higher School Certificate text some years ago.

The book was targeted at a late teen audience. It would appeal most to adolescents who were trying to find their way in life. It has all the awkward moments of by meets girls. There were quite predictable swings in the relationships – depicting how sustaining relationships needs energy.

The main character; Brett was credible. Sam is depicted as a mature and loving mentor.

I reckon it is a book that opens well to questions like: What role models do boys learn from? or When is an adolescent boy ready for a relationship for a girl? Beyond those questions I think the book to be quite limited.

[Jessica McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but rounded up. I read this book in about two and a half hours last night. I think I would have enjoyed it a bit more if I was back in high school, but it was certainly a good read. I loved the fact that it was set in rural Australia and I thought Monk was really able to convey the unique country vibe. He also showed the teenage romantic relationship very well- a whirlwind of innocent (or not in some cases) lust and "I love you"s that are said without truly knowing the meaning of the words. It gets a slightly lower rating simply because I feel like the beginning was built up very well and at a good pace, but the ending was a bit fast. Still enjoyed it though, and also like the realistic ending too.

[Noah Melser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young adult fiction reviews: redemptive hard knocks story of Brett, who is sent to an alternative country NSW correctional facility. A story pretty exclusively for boys and fairly tame and reliant on stereotypes around young crims. I think it would appeal to kids in years 8 and 9. I like that it's not all perfect, but would have liked more attempt to go beyond surface of, 'Im really angry, I'm going to punch him' and a fairly passive and idealised love interest.

[Britney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to teach as a prescribed text to my Year 11 students. I had heard mixed reviews about this books, perhaps after years of teaching it, it gets old. I really enjoyed it. As an audiobook on Spotify, it was really engaging and the Australian accent really authenticated the setting for me. The main character has really good development and growth throughout the story and there were moments that kept me interested and wanting to find out more. I even had a couple of giggles in there.

[Ozge Demir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for school

It is a great book for Year 12 students to read for their assessment task and content. It had a great storyline and character developement. I felt some chapters were detailed and explained things better and some were rushed and ended quickly. The ending was annoying and could of been better and longer. It felt like the climax was built and then it just ended like that. I would of given it 4 stars if the ending was better.

[Elijah Shervey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A descent book prescribed in high school. Appreciated the character progression until, god dam, that super cliche fight in the rain with the bully then all of a sudden the protagonist becomes a good samaritan. That was pushing it, even for a target audience of highschoolers.
Maybe doesn't deserve all the one star reviews on here, was it that bad? It was alright.

[I Hate Raw · Rating 1 out of 5]

WORST BOOK I'VE EVER READ

This book is just plain boring, and no kid should be forced to read this. A good book mentions football and this draws the attention of the reader. Raw is just such a stupid concept, and shouldn't be read by anyone.

[Sultan Amin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read this book for school and it's alright but I hate reading it sebab it was not my type of book to read but you might enjoy it

[MavericktheMadDawg MavericktheMadDawg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, definitely worth a read. My favourite of all of Scott Monks coming-of-age novels.

[Jasper G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, easy to read and very engaging

[Hannah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

i cant read it

[Logan Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did it for English, it is extremely boring and the plot is limited and stereotypical.

[Grump Gump · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book ever ngl

[Elise March · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very well written and full of stereotypes but I will say it was easy to read

[Yashti · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read this against my will for novel study and would pick ANY other book any day. If I were nice, I'd give it a 2, but its not even that good.

[Nayer A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flew through this read and remember doing that the first time I read it too.

Characters are deep and believable, as is Brett’s resistance to change.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very inspiring story that makes me realize to keep going strong even when things get tough. I wouldn't want to go to a place that Brett had to go to.

[Nathan Steel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Scott Monk set out to do the impossible by getting the reader to relate to the most unlikable protagonist of all time, and he failed miserably. The book starts with our protagonist, Brett Dalton, robbing a liquor store cause I can totally relate to that. He gets sent to a juvy farm where he rebels and becomes a whiny little p*ssy. It doesn't help that he describes everyone's height in centimetres, because apparently his brain is a walking tape measurer! He butts heads with Indigenous Side Character #53 and falls in love with the local farm girl. Cause nothing gets a gal's motor running more than an ugly asshole with a buzzcut who robs liquor stores. At the end of the book, Brett throws a tantrum because his girlfriend won't give him some and his actions put him in prison. The end, f*ck you.

[Julie scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel it was a great read. it's the story of Brett Dalton whose a pretty tough guy hard, uncaring, angry and always willing to use his fists Brett seems to feel like the world hates him and he's hard done by so he hates it back. But when Scott is busted for stealing by the cops and sent to the farm for rehab, there are no fences to keep him in but of course his anger gets in the way as love gets in the way as well. Bretts trapped in a whole new world , a world where he's raw. A excellent read❤❤❤

[Terezie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously, I don't know how Random House let such a poorly edited novel get published under its banner. There are glaring logic problems in the plot action. Characterization is sophomoric. Character choices are contrived. The back cover blurb is not supported by the narrative.

My son had this novel assigned as part of his school reading. At seventeen, he recognised the problems with it. He wanted a second opinion which is why I read it.