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Bad Apple
A riotous dark comedy teeming with delightfully unacceptable behaviour.
Like all good law-abiding citizens, sixteen-year-old Maurice no longer considers going off the rails as just a teenage phase. It can only mean the mark of a troll . . .
But these trolls aren't confined to causing trouble online: now they're in our homes, on our streets and have ruined life as we know it. As a rule Maurice tries to avoid trouble - until the day he crosses paths with Wretch, a very bad apple indeed. And with tensions rising, can these two teens put their differences aside in order to survive?
Like all good law-abiding citizens, sixteen-year-old Maurice no longer considers going off the rails as just a teenage phase. It can only mean the mark of a troll . . .
But these trolls aren't confined to causing trouble online: now they're in our homes, on our streets and have ruined life as we know it. As a rule Maurice tries to avoid trouble - until the day he crosses paths with Wretch, a very bad apple indeed. And with tensions rising, can these two teens put their differences aside in order to survive?
- GenresYoung AdultHumor
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2016
About the author
Matt Whyman
41 books103 followersMatt Whyman is an award-winning novelist and non-fiction writer. He has co-written bestselling books with some of the world’s leading figures in sport, high performance and popular culture including Gareth Southgate, Matthew Syed, Billy Connolly and Sir David Attenborough as well as the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 17, 2016
All rejoice in the return of Matt Whyman and Bad Apple. A jailbreak road-trip adventure with trolls – you know you want to read it.
In the typical (tyrannical) solution of those in power, the problem solving of “Trolls” has been to lock them up. So Maurice becomes an unwitting accomplice when his school as a field trip to one of the housing facilities. The story follows Maurice and Wretch, as well as a host of other characters as the two teens try to get Wretch home.
Throughout the story the reader is reminded not to judge, not only because you get to know Wretch so much better but by the interaction with other characters. As much as I loved the unique story, the writing and characters (something I’ve adored with Matt Whyman’s previous Savage’s books) I think that was my favourite part.
Bad Apple is for those of us that would be picking the red apple in a sea of green ones.
In the typical (tyrannical) solution of those in power, the problem solving of “Trolls” has been to lock them up. So Maurice becomes an unwitting accomplice when his school as a field trip to one of the housing facilities. The story follows Maurice and Wretch, as well as a host of other characters as the two teens try to get Wretch home.
Throughout the story the reader is reminded not to judge, not only because you get to know Wretch so much better but by the interaction with other characters. As much as I loved the unique story, the writing and characters (something I’ve adored with Matt Whyman’s previous Savage’s books) I think that was my favourite part.
Bad Apple is for those of us that would be picking the red apple in a sea of green ones.
June 13, 2016
I received a print copy of this title from Allen and Unwin for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
When Maurice goes on a school trip to observe "trolls" in their settlement for his modern history class, he doesn't expect to get quite so "up close and personal" with the inhabitants. When he discovers what is going on in the settlements, Maurice decides to risk doing the wrong thing for the right reasons and in doing so, blurs the boundaries between troll and human behaviours.
This is one road-trip that bumps along apace and while it doesn't take itself too seriously, still manages to raise some questions about the labels that we put on each other.
The first few chapters, in which we discover the origin of the under-dwelling trolls, are particularly engaging and the pace never slows enough to register any lag. Maurice, Cindy and Wretch (not to mention Governor Shores) all have obvious flaws and strengths, which helps to drive the philosophical question about who should be classed a troll and who shouldn't. There is a certain sense of the ridiculous laced throughout the main trio's antics, but the story is so fun and fast that there's not enough time to dwell on whether or not the happenings are believable. I'll definitely be seeking out more of Whyman's work after this - the absorbing but flippant narrative style really appeals to my sense of humour and I love a story in which fantasy or speculative elements are seamlessly inserted into an otherwise rather ordinary setting.
This is the sort of YA book that would certainly also appeal to adults who appreciate oddity in writing, as well as adult characters who would remind them strongly of the mix of enemies and allies that appear in any workplace.
I recommend this one for those looking for a quirky, fun change of pace with a thought-provoking twist.
Ten Second Synopsis:
When Maurice goes on a school trip to observe "trolls" in their settlement for his modern history class, he doesn't expect to get quite so "up close and personal" with the inhabitants. When he discovers what is going on in the settlements, Maurice decides to risk doing the wrong thing for the right reasons and in doing so, blurs the boundaries between troll and human behaviours.
This is one road-trip that bumps along apace and while it doesn't take itself too seriously, still manages to raise some questions about the labels that we put on each other.
The first few chapters, in which we discover the origin of the under-dwelling trolls, are particularly engaging and the pace never slows enough to register any lag. Maurice, Cindy and Wretch (not to mention Governor Shores) all have obvious flaws and strengths, which helps to drive the philosophical question about who should be classed a troll and who shouldn't. There is a certain sense of the ridiculous laced throughout the main trio's antics, but the story is so fun and fast that there's not enough time to dwell on whether or not the happenings are believable. I'll definitely be seeking out more of Whyman's work after this - the absorbing but flippant narrative style really appeals to my sense of humour and I love a story in which fantasy or speculative elements are seamlessly inserted into an otherwise rather ordinary setting.
This is the sort of YA book that would certainly also appeal to adults who appreciate oddity in writing, as well as adult characters who would remind them strongly of the mix of enemies and allies that appear in any workplace.
I recommend this one for those looking for a quirky, fun change of pace with a thought-provoking twist.
September 4, 2016
When Maurice sets off on his school trip to view the troll settlement, he could not have predicted what would happen. Fed up with their treatment and being regarded as second-class citizens, the trolls want change. They kidnap Maurice, hoping those in charge will want to save the human boy, even if it means giving in to the trolls' demands. Only things don't quite go to plan. So begins a rather unusual journey.
Having become so accustomed to seeing the word troll in relation to Internet use, it came as something of a shock to realise this was actually a book about trolls. The whole book seemed to be attempting to comment on modern society's need to categorise people, the injustices meted out by those in power and a call to consider how we treat those in difficult circumstances.
While I found Maurice really annoying initially, once he escapes with Wretch he shows his strength of character. There were some amusing scenes between the various characters and although the Governor bordered on pantomime villain caricature, he was vital to illustrate the need for change.
All in all, a rather puzzling read. For me, I don't feel it will be particularly memorable.
Having become so accustomed to seeing the word troll in relation to Internet use, it came as something of a shock to realise this was actually a book about trolls. The whole book seemed to be attempting to comment on modern society's need to categorise people, the injustices meted out by those in power and a call to consider how we treat those in difficult circumstances.
While I found Maurice really annoying initially, once he escapes with Wretch he shows his strength of character. There were some amusing scenes between the various characters and although the Governor bordered on pantomime villain caricature, he was vital to illustrate the need for change.
All in all, a rather puzzling read. For me, I don't feel it will be particularly memorable.
April 19, 2016
Set in a world where 'trolls' are real, being almost human under the earth dwellers, this book has a lot to say about overcoming preconceptions and accepting our differences. Trolls sometimes substitute their children for human babies, wanting them to be brought up over ground, but these children show their inherent 'bad blood' when they become teenagers, sleeping all the time and having a disregard for the law and the conventions of politeness that are expected in society. They are corralled together in settlements to contain them and for their own good but after a kidnapping of a schoolboy on a field trip one troll breaks out, travels to find his blood relatives and eventually sparks a rebellion. The journey is made in the company of the troll's care worker and the schoolboy and the relationship that grows between the three is very interesting to read. Couple of red herrings keep you intrigued and there are plenty of shocks along the way. Very valid messages about violence not being the answer and not judging books by their covers are conveyed with a light touch. All in all a damn good read!
November 17, 2025
I was a little sceptical, at first, picking this book as my next read. Although, now, I'm glad I picked it up. It was a fun read. Packed with adventures and fun jokes, it was an enjoyable time reading this book.
February 26, 2019
I had little idea what to expect of this story going in, based on the blurb. It would have helped if I had checked the keywords given on the back: "Trolls"; "Black Comedy"; "Sinkholes"; "Friendship." A pretty good summation in the end.
Trolls in this tale are a subterranean race, indistinguishable from humans. To give their offspring a better chance at life, trolls switch out human babies with that of their own, the switch only becoming apparent once puberty hits, and their troublesome personas and disregard for authority take hold. Often, they are cast aside by their unwitting adoptive families. To protect the general public, they are placed inside settlements, districts that are cordoned off from society. Supposedly they are looked after when inside. In truth, the place is a squalid holding pen, with minimal amenities.
Bad Apple tells the story of Maurice, a young lad of 16, whisked away in a kidnapping during a school trip to a settlement. In the ensuing events, he meets Wretch, a young troll estranged even from his own kin. Maurice and Wretch come to an understanding, with the latter breaking them out, and going in search of his birth parents. They find help from people they would not expect. All the while veraciously hunted by Governor Randall Shores, who seeks to recapture Wretch, along with the suspected troll who helped him. And on their journey, Maurice comes to see that perhaps the ways of the troll are not as bad as society had led him to believe.
While reading this, I came to think of the difference between the trolls and human adults as something analogous to the divide between young and old in our society. Nowadays, the young are more accepting of those who are different, in whatever way, despite the attempted indoctrination by the older generations. Meanwhile, elders would gladly see differences wiped away, or at least locked away where it cannot be seen. The trolls represent younger people, who may seem wild to some degree, but are simply open to expressing themselves in ways the older generations might deem wrong. And when all is said and done, the underground - the home of the trolls - becomes an appealing prospect: the unknown, the means by which one can carve their own path beneath the established order of society.
Perhaps I am reading too much into it, though this was my personal interpretation.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially given that is not my usual genre. A thrilling chase/road trip through southern England, with some thought-inducing social commentary hidden under the surface.
I have recommended it to a friend who is heavily into her YA fiction, and she seems keen to give it a go.
Trolls in this tale are a subterranean race, indistinguishable from humans. To give their offspring a better chance at life, trolls switch out human babies with that of their own, the switch only becoming apparent once puberty hits, and their troublesome personas and disregard for authority take hold. Often, they are cast aside by their unwitting adoptive families. To protect the general public, they are placed inside settlements, districts that are cordoned off from society. Supposedly they are looked after when inside. In truth, the place is a squalid holding pen, with minimal amenities.
Bad Apple tells the story of Maurice, a young lad of 16, whisked away in a kidnapping during a school trip to a settlement. In the ensuing events, he meets Wretch, a young troll estranged even from his own kin. Maurice and Wretch come to an understanding, with the latter breaking them out, and going in search of his birth parents. They find help from people they would not expect. All the while veraciously hunted by Governor Randall Shores, who seeks to recapture Wretch, along with the suspected troll who helped him. And on their journey, Maurice comes to see that perhaps the ways of the troll are not as bad as society had led him to believe.
While reading this, I came to think of the difference between the trolls and human adults as something analogous to the divide between young and old in our society. Nowadays, the young are more accepting of those who are different, in whatever way, despite the attempted indoctrination by the older generations. Meanwhile, elders would gladly see differences wiped away, or at least locked away where it cannot be seen. The trolls represent younger people, who may seem wild to some degree, but are simply open to expressing themselves in ways the older generations might deem wrong. And when all is said and done, the underground - the home of the trolls - becomes an appealing prospect: the unknown, the means by which one can carve their own path beneath the established order of society.
Perhaps I am reading too much into it, though this was my personal interpretation.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially given that is not my usual genre. A thrilling chase/road trip through southern England, with some thought-inducing social commentary hidden under the surface.
I have recommended it to a friend who is heavily into her YA fiction, and she seems keen to give it a go.
April 19, 2016
Trolls are real.
They exist and you might have one in your home and not realise until they reach a certain age. If they are discovered then they will be sectioned off from society. That is where this book starts.
I bought this book as I loved The Savages and American Savage. I also credit Matt Whyman and The Savages as the author and book that got me back into reading. I think I have read about 150 books since that happened in about twenty one months.
I found this book to be a great commentary on how certain people view the world. The trolls could be immigrants, 'chavs', people of a different colour, LGBT, the disabled or any other minority that people are prejudiced against without getting to know them. There will always be a bad apple who hates them just because they are.
The story moves fast. It is interesting on every page. It also contains both high and low humour. Adults reading it will get things a younger audience does not but I think any age group will enjoy it.
I think the world is more interesting as it has 'bad apples' in it. Some of which are forced to be too far from the tree but most have redeemable qualities. This book shows that prejudice and hatred are the worst qualities someone can have. I recommend this book and that message to anyone. I also one day hope to buy a sequel to this as I feel it deserves one.
They exist and you might have one in your home and not realise until they reach a certain age. If they are discovered then they will be sectioned off from society. That is where this book starts.
I bought this book as I loved The Savages and American Savage. I also credit Matt Whyman and The Savages as the author and book that got me back into reading. I think I have read about 150 books since that happened in about twenty one months.
I found this book to be a great commentary on how certain people view the world. The trolls could be immigrants, 'chavs', people of a different colour, LGBT, the disabled or any other minority that people are prejudiced against without getting to know them. There will always be a bad apple who hates them just because they are.
The story moves fast. It is interesting on every page. It also contains both high and low humour. Adults reading it will get things a younger audience does not but I think any age group will enjoy it.
I think the world is more interesting as it has 'bad apples' in it. Some of which are forced to be too far from the tree but most have redeemable qualities. This book shows that prejudice and hatred are the worst qualities someone can have. I recommend this book and that message to anyone. I also one day hope to buy a sequel to this as I feel it deserves one.
August 18, 2016
Funny, sad, violent, and with some lessons for our society all lightly delivered in a very good read.
August 18, 2017
'Level best' was said eight times.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews