The Unknowns

by Shirley-Anne McMillan

Tilly is perched at the top of Belfast's largest crane. She likes to climb up high at night in order to feel free from a city which, despite the best PR, is still full of trouble and conflict. Eventually, she comes back down to discover her bike is missing and in its place is a boy named Brew. Wearing eyeliner and high-heeled boots, he offers her a drink from his flask of coffee before disappearing into the night. The next morning, Tilly's bike is returned, but tucked into the spoke of the wheel is a card with Brew's number on it.

As Tilly learns to trust Brew, he leads her into a world she never knew existed - a world of parties in abandoned houses, completing missions that involve break-ins, and risking everything just to help strangers in need; the world of The Unknowns. What Tilly doesn't anticipate is that they will also make her question everything she was brought up to believe in, and force her to make a choice that will stay with her for the rest of her life.

The Unknowns is a story about hope in a city where increasing numbers of young people are struggling to get by, a place where there is no trust in the political system, and where some people still dare to dream.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult

312 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2017

About the author

Shirley-Anne McMillan was born in 1975 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. She has studied at Queen’s University, Belfast and Manchester Metropolitan University. Shirley-Anne writes stories for children and young adults, and she has written and performed with Belfast-based arts collective, Ikon, for several years. She lives in South Down where she spends her time as a writer and schools worker.

Reviews

[Peterson Toscano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was constantly surprised by Shirley-Anne McMillan's new book, The Unknowns. She takes the familiar story of a girl who is a little different and who is finding her way in the world as she comes of age, and adds fresh, original elements to the personality of Tilly and the narrative. The risks feel very real. The discovery of the world similarly feels authentic and exhilarating. Seeing a character encounter her own specialness and strength even when she is initially unable to see it in herself, got me deeply invested in what happens to her and the unconventional friends she meets late at night.

Beyond the engaging plot, I love the atmosphere of the book, these late night gatherings and meetings that appear sinister at first but then surprised me by the warmth and friendliness within. Much like those misconceptions I can have of a person on first encounter, McMillan's book invites the reader to look with clearer vision that overturns negative judgements. She presents an edgy Belfast filled with grit and decay that contain surprising nooks and crannies for community to pop up like flowers growing in the cracks of abandoned parking lots.

I was also surprised by the ways she helped readers consider perspective. Who gets to tell a story affects the story and how people respond to it. Reading about the events in the book as they happen and then reading the flattened out, misleading, and negative commentary about these same events as reported in the newspaper, got me thinking about the injustices that happen from misreporting events and slandering people in public and private forums.

As with all of her novels, McMillan does not shy away from real life and hard topics--the loss of a parent, sectarian violence, and issues related to sexuality, gender, and orientation. She is never preachy. Instead she provides visions of what acceptance and understanding look like next to the harsh realities of what ignorance and fear inspire. It is in the sudden unexpected beauty of the communities she envisions and the love and art these communities foster, that McMillan provides an antidote to negative forces in the world.

Weeks after reading the book the images remain and the characters feel like real friends I met who are still living their lives and standing up for their friends.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unknowns is an engaging and moving coming-of-age YA novel, set in Belfast during the time that teenagers had mobile phones but not social media. (Younger Millennial? After my time but before Gen Z.) It follows a teenager called Tilly as she befriends a group of misfits. Her new pals throw parties during sectarian riots and plan idiosyncratic missions to encourage unity. It took me about fifty pages to get into the book, whereupon I was emotionally invested in the characters and their doings. Tilly's relationships with her friends and father are shown sensitively and insightfully. The narrative is full of sympathy with the difficulties of being a teenager, as Tilly is torn between her new friends and the demands of school. The titular Unknowns are genuinely charming and lovely. Their attempts to encourage joy and community in a city deeply scarred by the Troubles are striking and uplifting to read about. The writing evokes a strong sense of place, as well as being emotionally resonant. This is a hopeful novel of finding solidarity and fun in surprising places. It does not downplay sectarian violence, while showing that there are positive ways forward across the generations. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Debs Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is maybe the book I've always wanted to read about Belfast and its young people and I'm so glad it's been written. This novel is a page-turner, and manages not to be preachy but makes you think about how change is possible - that there are always alternatives. It has also challenged me to think about the level of homogeneity in my social circles and I want to get to know my home city even better.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read. I decided to read it because it was promoted in an email from the excellent No Alibis bookshop and I love their recommendations. It was so easy to read as I was constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next. It is very YA in its feel and has the required balance of optimism and darkness that you would expect from the genre.
The main character of Tilly is really well drawn and believable though I did wonder whether she would be able to climb the locations where she climbs. The group she encounters are great and intriguingly unconventional. The contrast between Tilly's deepening relationship with the Unknowns and her strained relations with her best friend from school and her father adds depth to the book without slowing down the plot.
Overall I loved the way the book is very contemporary but yet still deals with the history of Northern Ireland in a way that is serious but never heavy handed.

[Melanie Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart warming, life affirming book with acceptance, community, connectedness and recognising- and accepting - each other's differences. Made even more enjoyable with Belfast as its' backdrop.

[Rach (pagesofpiper) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of The Unknowns, a group of people who promote friendship, love and equality for all. It was a really good read which I hope others will find out. It's full of drama and unpredictable action, can be fast paced in places and slow when it needs to be. What made the book for me was the vivid characters and the journey of the main character, Tilly. I really enjoyed the Northern Ireland factor, having read about Sadie and Kevin in my teens it was interesting to read how the troubles are still prominent in Northern Ireland. An interesting and human read.

[O'Meli Dunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"the unknowns" is the third book I read by Shirley-Anne McMillan and I really enjoyed it. It made Belfast come to life for me again and at the same time I went back in memory to the happy days I was lucky to spend in this lovely but still with problems afflicted city.
I really could relate to the characters and was glad that they found a place where they could live their lives apart from society which pushes them to the margins due to traditional views and prejudice.
The depicted mistrust towards the police is a notion that I sometimes still experience from my Catholic friends in Belfast but also the wish to change things and stand up against inequality or simple injustice can be felt in Belfast.
In short: this book is a good description of Belfast's "spirit" and the reader gains insight into the life of a teenager struggling with everyday life, who gets sucked into another "world" with the assurance that people that are different and special in their own way have a right to live the lives they want to.
I rated it with 5 stars (although it won't be my favourite as I love the story about Nollaig from "A good hiding" so much) because it was such a light read and a page turner at the same time.
Go raibh maith agat Shirley.

[Hannah Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colourful cast of misfits may not appeal to all & I wasn't wholly convinced by the relationship between Tilly & her Dad but overall this thoughtful coming of age story has real charm & the romance is both convincing & compelling. Great.

[November · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard about this book back in 2017 when I met Shirley-Anne McMillan at a writing workshop for teens and liked her immediately. She read out the beginning of this and also one chapter from A Good Hiding (which I bought off her then and there) yet somehow it has taken me until now to read this one?
I loved it. The main theme was found family and that is my absolute favourite thing ever. The main characters are all outsiders for whatever reason and yet they stick together. There’s Brew, a bisexual artist who lives in an abandoned courthouse, Meg a woman in her seventies who always looks amazing and is kind and generous, and Scar, a big bearded tattoo artist who is often found in a dress and who I bet gives the BEST hugs. The narrator is Tilly, a girl from a comfortable and ‘normal’ home whose dad worries about her grades.
The story resonated with me - not because I’ve gone rushing around Belfast in the middle of the night doing questionably legal things - but because Brew and his friends brought Tilly into a space where she could be truly free and herself for the first time. The way she felt about that reminded me of the way I felt stepping into Teach Solais for the first time and being welcomed by a wonderful group of people. I felt out of place just like Tilly, but also like I had found the only place that understood me.
The sense of community and friendship and love for each other was definitely my favourite part of this book.
I enjoy the way Shirley-Anne McMillan writes - clearly, concisely but also in such a way that I can picture everything perfectly in my mind, so that I am in Belfast with her.
I wish I could be a Brew or a Meg or a Scar but I know I’m firmly a Tilly and I think this book showed me that that’s alright.

[Tessa Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This YA story is set in Belfast, where the legacy of the troubles lingers on. On the surface, Tilly is an ordinary teenager, working hard to pass her exams and enjoying time out with her best friend, Beth. But Tilly has a secret life where, at night, she finds a sense of freedom by climbing to the top of tall structures. It’s on one such occasion that she meets the charismatic Brew, another teenager with a secret life as part of the group ‘The Unknowns.’
This is an imaginative story about a girl discovering who she really is, and a group of unconventional and idealistic young people who don’t fit society’s mould, and their rich and equally unconventional mentor. It kept me reading, and guessing, right up to the end.

[Scott Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shirley-Anne McMillan's "The Unknowns" is an exploration of identity, belonging, and the complexities of adolescence. The novel follows a group of teens grappling with their own secrets and uncertainties, beautifully capturing the tumultuous journey of self-discovery.

Each protagonist is richly developed, allowing readers to connect with their struggles and triumphs. Tilly desperately wants to obey her father but also needs the freedom to be her own person. The mysterious Brew is charming and personable despite his hidden, tragic past. The narrative seamlessly weaves together themes of friendship, love, and the quest for acceptance, making it relatable for young adult audiences. We also get a glimpse of life in Belfast and the lingering effects of The Troubles many years after.

The pacing is well-balanced, keeping the reader engaged while allowing moments of reflection. However, some plot developments felt a bit predictable, which slightly detracted from the overall impact of the story. Still, "The Unknowns" is a thought-provoking and heartfelt novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever wanted to step outside their comfort zone and live on the edge. 

[LJShackleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle story that builds to a clever end with a strong consistent message woven throughout. Queer kids, questioning kids, kids that don't feel you fit in. All kids great and small, don't worry: you will grow up and find your tribe eventually.

[Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Judy Nickless · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read.

[Imani · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Aylen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
It was interesting at the beginning but then it started to get a bit long and drag on. I liked Tilly and Brew and loved Meg but the rest of the characters were a bit bland.

[Jacqui Ruddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me hooked all the way through. Difficult topics and harsh realities are dealt with sensitively. I’d recommend all teenagers and adults read this insightful, edgy and ultimately uplifting novel.