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Tipping Point
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 16, 2018
Short story introduction of the character Harry Hawkins.
Good idea to read this before London Large -Blood on the Streets.
A week in 15 year old Harry’s life and what ultimately led to his decision to join the Army.
Loved the London slang and nicknames.
Good idea to read this before London Large -Blood on the Streets.
A week in 15 year old Harry’s life and what ultimately led to his decision to join the Army.
Loved the London slang and nicknames.
February 17, 2020
I've read a few of the 'London Large' books already when someone told me that I should have read this short story first. It's featured in the first 'London large' bundle, so I followed the advice. Even though I didn't think it was so important to read this short story first, apart for chronological reasons than, it was a fun read. It must be the first story that features Harry Hawkins when he's just not 16. He's been kicked out of school for violence but that was actually for the noble reason of standing up against some bullies. Unfortunately, Harry reacted a bit too violent and is now seen as the culprit. His father isn't too angry and even offers him a job on his garbage-collecting-crew. It's 1974 and virtually the whole country is on strike and the garbage piles up higher and higher in the streets. Rich neighbourhoods offer very good money to clean their streets and H.'s father is one of the scabs taking the cash over solidarity. It's a real eye-opener for Harry when he sees 1st hand what his dad has to put up with on a daily basis. Eventually, he follows the advice of his school-prefect and joins the army. I didn't live in the UK until a lot later, but I have been told by my friends that this was a situation that was both really disgusting and a dangerous health-hazard, so the description given heremay be still on the brighter side of reality;
This is an interesting insight into H's background and younger years. It doesn't have much to do with his qualities as a police-detective, but ti introduces us to a young John who'll turn up later on in the books.
This is an interesting insight into H's background and younger years. It doesn't have much to do with his qualities as a police-detective, but ti introduces us to a young John who'll turn up later on in the books.
August 30, 2019
A short story, with the London slang, and the beginning to the series
For me too much profanity, the plot itself looked. good
For me too much profanity, the plot itself looked. good
July 22, 2017
Tipping Point by Garry and Roy Robson
Tipping Point by Garry and Roy Robson begins as a story of a boy in trouble. Harry didn't like to see his friend Epimou bullied. Epimou couldn't defend himself so Harry waded in to discourage Gary Milton from further bullying. Using the fire extinguisher may have been a bit much. That was the Headmaster's opinion when he expelled Harry.
When Harry returned home, mom was not happy. It was probably better that Harry went to a pub for awhile. Harry was sixteen. In some countries, he may just have been an expelled student in trouble, but in London, he was a man needing a job. And he got one. His father put him on a strike-breaking crew that would get rid of trash and refuse from posh areas of London. A general strike had been called by the responsible union workers but the rich wanted their streets clean. And they would pay for it. This was bound to lead to fighting. And Harry didn't have his fire extinguisher.
After a life of fighting at school and fighting on the job with dad added to a few drinking sessions with dad and dad's friends, Harry began to see a pattern emerging. He looked to the example of his dad who had been fighting all his life in periods of employment that frequently required the injudicious use of violence. What kind of future could Harry see for himself?
Just before being expelled from school the headmaster gave Harry a bit of advice. Perhaps Harry was suited for military life. Harry would at least consider it.
For those ignorant of a certain class of London life (me), this was a fascinating read. In this selection, there were links to follow up books by this author. One of these will be my next read. This style of writing is new to me and I find it interesting.
Tipping Point by Garry and Roy Robson begins as a story of a boy in trouble. Harry didn't like to see his friend Epimou bullied. Epimou couldn't defend himself so Harry waded in to discourage Gary Milton from further bullying. Using the fire extinguisher may have been a bit much. That was the Headmaster's opinion when he expelled Harry.
When Harry returned home, mom was not happy. It was probably better that Harry went to a pub for awhile. Harry was sixteen. In some countries, he may just have been an expelled student in trouble, but in London, he was a man needing a job. And he got one. His father put him on a strike-breaking crew that would get rid of trash and refuse from posh areas of London. A general strike had been called by the responsible union workers but the rich wanted their streets clean. And they would pay for it. This was bound to lead to fighting. And Harry didn't have his fire extinguisher.
After a life of fighting at school and fighting on the job with dad added to a few drinking sessions with dad and dad's friends, Harry began to see a pattern emerging. He looked to the example of his dad who had been fighting all his life in periods of employment that frequently required the injudicious use of violence. What kind of future could Harry see for himself?
Just before being expelled from school the headmaster gave Harry a bit of advice. Perhaps Harry was suited for military life. Harry would at least consider it.
For those ignorant of a certain class of London life (me), this was a fascinating read. In this selection, there were links to follow up books by this author. One of these will be my next read. This style of writing is new to me and I find it interesting.
January 3, 2019
A good background short story. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
December 23, 2019
A cheeky little short story which I found very entertaining. Looking forward to reading book one in the series and finding out more about Harry Hawkins.
January 21, 2018
Nasty. Nasty. Nasty. Boy I couldn't finish this one. It could have been a good story, but I couldn't get past the profanity.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews