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Kissing the Rain
From the acclaimed author of MARTYN PIG and LUCAS comes another compelling, edgy thriller about love, loss, and pivotal decisions. Now in a dynamic new Kevin Brooks repackaging!
Moo Nelson likes to be alone. Overweight and shy, Moo is constantly mocked and bullied by his cruel classmates. He's happiest spending time on a secluded bridge above the highway, watching the cars go by. One day, from his special spot, Moo witnesses a crime that changes his life forever. He sees a car chase and a murder--and suddenly Moo's a celebrity of sorts. The police, the lawyers, and even the bullies are now really interested in Moo. But so is one shady character who seems intent on tracking Moo down. Now all Moo has to do is find out the truth behind the crime...before it's too late.
Moo Nelson likes to be alone. Overweight and shy, Moo is constantly mocked and bullied by his cruel classmates. He's happiest spending time on a secluded bridge above the highway, watching the cars go by. One day, from his special spot, Moo witnesses a crime that changes his life forever. He sees a car chase and a murder--and suddenly Moo's a celebrity of sorts. The police, the lawyers, and even the bullies are now really interested in Moo. But so is one shady character who seems intent on tracking Moo down. Now all Moo has to do is find out the truth behind the crime...before it's too late.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2004
49 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Brooks
75 books877 followersKevin Brooks was born in 1959 and grew up in Exeter, Devon, England. He studied Psychology and Philosophy at Birmingham, Aston University in 1980 and Cultural Studies in London in 1983. Kevin Brooks has been in a variety of jobs including: musician, gasoline station attendant, crematorium handyman, civil service clerk, hot dog vendor at the London Zoo, post office clerk, and railway ticket office clerk.
Kevin Brooks's writing career started with the publication of Martyn Pig in 2002 through The Chicken House which won the Branford Boase Award 2003 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. He also wrote Lucas (2002) which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and Booktrust Teenage Prize in 2003 also winning the North East Book Award in 2004.
In 2004 he published Kissing the Rain and Bloodline and I See You, Baby and Candy in 2005. In 2006 he published 3 books including: Johnny Delgado Series - Like Father, Like Son and Private Detective as well as The Road of the Dead; a standalone novel. In February 2008 he published the standalone book Black Rabbit Summer.
As a child, Kevin Brooks enjoyed reading detective novels. He writes most plots of the various books he has written around crime fiction. He likes mystery and suspence and enjoys putting both of those components into each and every story he writes in some shape or form.
Kevin Brooks's writing career started with the publication of Martyn Pig in 2002 through The Chicken House which won the Branford Boase Award 2003 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. He also wrote Lucas (2002) which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and Booktrust Teenage Prize in 2003 also winning the North East Book Award in 2004.
In 2004 he published Kissing the Rain and Bloodline and I See You, Baby and Candy in 2005. In 2006 he published 3 books including: Johnny Delgado Series - Like Father, Like Son and Private Detective as well as The Road of the Dead; a standalone novel. In February 2008 he published the standalone book Black Rabbit Summer.
As a child, Kevin Brooks enjoyed reading detective novels. He writes most plots of the various books he has written around crime fiction. He likes mystery and suspence and enjoys putting both of those components into each and every story he writes in some shape or form.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
July 29, 2008
It just stopped. It was as if there was no ending, as if someone tore out the last few pages.
October 1, 2009
Kissing the Rain
I thought Kissing the Rain was an uninteresting book. It didn’t catch my attention very well at all; I wasn’t drawn in on the drama. It was okay, but it wouldn’t be the first book that I would pick out in the library. Although, I would recommend this to anyone that is interested in dark and shadowy, yet secretive books. This book was confusing from beginning to the end. I think the author’s purpose was to entertain the reader. (He didn’t do a good job.)
I would say that Vine was my favorite character. He was the manipulative and sneaky guy. He was fairly violent as well. Vine is an extremely difficult man to work with I personally would regret working with him he is a mean and big buff guy, who is taller and most likely stronger than me. I liked Vine because he was the tough guy, that everyone thought they should be scared of, they feared him the most.
My least favorite character was Moo. I felt as if he cares about what other people thought about him, and he doesn’t have a mind of his own. He goes by what other people say or think. Moo has a tendency to let people bother him and effect any major or minor decisions that he would make in his life. I also thought he was annoying. He never wanted to be around people. He always wanted to be alone, and I found that extremely unhealthy.
The last chapter of my book was the best! I really like how Moo and his friend tried to plan to murder Vine, I was disappointed that he didn’t follow through with idea. I was looking forward to someone finally deciding to stand up to the big man, the boss. They thought that if they killed Vine they would have to be forced to testify against him. The original plan was to testify in his favor because Moo was afraid to say no because of the things he was capable of, the end was unpredictable! I never would have seen a potential murder coming up.
I think that Jack Nichols would be a great person to play Vine because he looks like a mafia person. Spencer Breslin should play Moo because he is a boring fat kid just like the character Moo.
When I was reading this book I felt annoyed, and frustrated it was very bleak and dreadful. It brought my spirit down whenever I picked it up to read it.
My favorite line of this book when Vine said: “WHAT YOU GONNA DO?” that was the very last line of my book; I liked it because I knew I was finally done!
I thought Kissing the Rain was an uninteresting book. It didn’t catch my attention very well at all; I wasn’t drawn in on the drama. It was okay, but it wouldn’t be the first book that I would pick out in the library. Although, I would recommend this to anyone that is interested in dark and shadowy, yet secretive books. This book was confusing from beginning to the end. I think the author’s purpose was to entertain the reader. (He didn’t do a good job.)
I would say that Vine was my favorite character. He was the manipulative and sneaky guy. He was fairly violent as well. Vine is an extremely difficult man to work with I personally would regret working with him he is a mean and big buff guy, who is taller and most likely stronger than me. I liked Vine because he was the tough guy, that everyone thought they should be scared of, they feared him the most.
My least favorite character was Moo. I felt as if he cares about what other people thought about him, and he doesn’t have a mind of his own. He goes by what other people say or think. Moo has a tendency to let people bother him and effect any major or minor decisions that he would make in his life. I also thought he was annoying. He never wanted to be around people. He always wanted to be alone, and I found that extremely unhealthy.
The last chapter of my book was the best! I really like how Moo and his friend tried to plan to murder Vine, I was disappointed that he didn’t follow through with idea. I was looking forward to someone finally deciding to stand up to the big man, the boss. They thought that if they killed Vine they would have to be forced to testify against him. The original plan was to testify in his favor because Moo was afraid to say no because of the things he was capable of, the end was unpredictable! I never would have seen a potential murder coming up.
I think that Jack Nichols would be a great person to play Vine because he looks like a mafia person. Spencer Breslin should play Moo because he is a boring fat kid just like the character Moo.
When I was reading this book I felt annoyed, and frustrated it was very bleak and dreadful. It brought my spirit down whenever I picked it up to read it.
My favorite line of this book when Vine said: “WHAT YOU GONNA DO?” that was the very last line of my book; I liked it because I knew I was finally done!
July 21, 2010
"You don't have to tell a lie to protect people."
"You don't have to tell the truth to hurt people either."
That was one of the most memorable exchanges in one of my favorite tv shows, Kyle XY. From the day I heard that until now, I still use that as my guide whenever I face such difficult dilemmas.
What if the things at stakes are bigger? What if lying or telling the truth means more than protecting and hurting people? It's not an easy choice, is it? That is exactly the choice Mike "Moo" Nelson, the protagonist and the narrator of Kissing the Rain, has to make.
Moo is a star-witness of a crime or an alleged crime that cause his already miserable RAINy life more miserable. Some people are forcing him to tell a lie that will endanger his life and all the people he loves. On the other hand, some people are forcing him to tell the truth that will endanger a lot of people's life, people that he don't even know, innocent people. It isn't a matter between right or wrong anymore. Both are right and both are wrong.
An implicit question Moo asks in the book goes "What you gonna do?". If you were caught between those choices like Moo, what are you going to do? What am I going to do? I don't know. I don't have a freaking idea what to do. It sounds evil and selfish but sometimes its a relief and you feel grateful that these kind of difficult situations happens to other people and not to yourself. As you say Moo,
Better him than me.
Better Moo than me.
That's the way it goes.
Despite the writing style being such a royal pain in the ass and the annoying retard'ish habit of Moo in imitating sounds like shroooommm...shroommm..tick.tick.tuck.tock.puck.dun.dun.phewt.pik.pock.shick.click. that sometimes goes on and for a whole paragraph, I learned to appreciate this book. It's not that great but it's not that horrible either. And it did remind me of this:(Note: I am just paraphrasing an excerpt from one of my school papers I wrote before.)
There are times that we faced the unknown. Most of the times we turn around and go back. But once in a while, we choose to face whatever lies beyond that unknown. Because it is only the time you tested who you really are. Our fears holds us back to become the person who we thought we are but our courage to conquer those fears leads us to be the person we desire to be, or the person we ought to be.
"You don't have to tell the truth to hurt people either."
That was one of the most memorable exchanges in one of my favorite tv shows, Kyle XY. From the day I heard that until now, I still use that as my guide whenever I face such difficult dilemmas.
What if the things at stakes are bigger? What if lying or telling the truth means more than protecting and hurting people? It's not an easy choice, is it? That is exactly the choice Mike "Moo" Nelson, the protagonist and the narrator of Kissing the Rain, has to make.
Moo is a star-witness of a crime or an alleged crime that cause his already miserable RAINy life more miserable. Some people are forcing him to tell a lie that will endanger his life and all the people he loves. On the other hand, some people are forcing him to tell the truth that will endanger a lot of people's life, people that he don't even know, innocent people. It isn't a matter between right or wrong anymore. Both are right and both are wrong.
An implicit question Moo asks in the book goes "What you gonna do?". If you were caught between those choices like Moo, what are you going to do? What am I going to do? I don't know. I don't have a freaking idea what to do. It sounds evil and selfish but sometimes its a relief and you feel grateful that these kind of difficult situations happens to other people and not to yourself. As you say Moo,
Better him than me.
Better Moo than me.
That's the way it goes.
Despite the writing style being such a royal pain in the ass and the annoying retard'ish habit of Moo in imitating sounds like shroooommm...shroommm..tick.tick.tuck.tock.puck.dun.dun.phewt.pik.pock.shick.click. that sometimes goes on and for a whole paragraph, I learned to appreciate this book. It's not that great but it's not that horrible either. And it did remind me of this:(Note: I am just paraphrasing an excerpt from one of my school papers I wrote before.)
There are times that we faced the unknown. Most of the times we turn around and go back. But once in a while, we choose to face whatever lies beyond that unknown. Because it is only the time you tested who you really are. Our fears holds us back to become the person who we thought we are but our courage to conquer those fears leads us to be the person we desire to be, or the person we ought to be.
May 23, 2009
One of my favourite books ever is Lucas so when I found this book at the library I couldn't wait to read it. I was so disappointed. It's not that the plot is bad, its actually interesting but I could not read it. In fact this is one of the only instances where I could not finish a book. I am British, so it wasn't the language or slang used, I just couldn't relate to the characters, the writing style really annoyed me and Moo really irked me. I hated it, and it was probably made all the worse by my love for Kevin Brooks' Lucas and Candy. All in all, I will not try to read this book again, I just can't face it I'm afraid.
September 29, 2009
Not sure why all the reviews of this book were negative. Kevin Brooks is really a badass when it comes to writing thought-provoking books that are dark as hell.
November 8, 2014
This is Moo's story. A fat, unpopular, bullied, 15 year old English kid. Not only is he bullied, but he is criticized, called names and taunted on a daily basis. Moo calls this criticism and abuse "The Rain". Despite having no actual friends, he does have a compatriot of sorts in Brady, another boy at his school who is treated much the way Moo is due to his shortness and poor health.
The book is told in first person narrative from Moo's point of view. It seems very realistic and painfully sad. His parents are both overweight and seem to literally smother Moo with food. There are many times in the book when Moo describes meals like this: shovel it up, pile it up and push it in, nosh, nosh, nosh...etc. Over and over. They aren't doing him any favors.
Moo stand atop a bridge over a highway each night, alone, and counts cars, plays games with himself and basically wallows in sadness. It made me feel horrible to read his descriptions of how he spent his time because despite the pitifulness of his life, Moo absolutely does not feel sorry for himself. He understands pity and hates it. He refuses to allow himself to indulge in it.
One night as he watches cars on his bridge he sees an episode of apparent road rage and someone dies as a result. Moo seems to be the only real witness and he is questioned by the police. He is confused and afraid by the whole process especially since what he sees just doesn't seem right to him. It's not. The entire event was orchestrated to frame a known underground criminal. Poor, poor Moo for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Most of the book is about the inner turmoil caused by his intention to testify at the criminal hearing and his insistence on telling the truth despite the police wishing the truth were otherwise.
Moo is threatened by crooked police, wooed and bribed by the framed man's attorney and then threatened again by the goon. Not only is Moo himself in danger, which he could accept it seems, but the law lets him in on a little secret. His father is a deadbeat, cheating the dole and illegally living off the people. If Moo testifies the police will prosecute his father. It's all just too much for a young man to take.
Once Moo agrees to testify his abuse at school stops. Completely. Moo is intelligent enough to realize this must be due to the influence of the man his testimony could help free. Poor Brady gets no such relief, and during an intense scene Moo realizes that Brady has lied and said he also saw the incident. It seems Brady is willing to say he saw what the police want to have happened. Sadly, Brady is physically punished for this with a brutal beating and recants. It's just one more thing to add to Moo's list of the crap storm that comes from what happened and all the adults trying to twist the truth to suit their own needs despite who gets hurt.
The inner dialogue and Moo's observations struck me as very realistic and sometimes hurt to read. He wasn't a great kid or anything, but he was just a kid and we all hate to think of the young as being so mistreated. There seems little he can do to help himself and no matter what he does or says someone will get hurt. So many times this is the case, but we all hope it only happens to adults.
My problem with this book is the way Brooks decides to end it. Actually, the way he decides not to end it. I don't want to ruin it for future readers, but I felt it was a cop out. I don't need a neatly packaged and tied ending. I'm okay with open endedness. What I don't like is when it seems obvious a writer was either unable to decide what his character would do, or too cowardly to write it. I know what I think Moo did, and it breaks my heart a bit to think it, but Brooks should have written it. Or something else. He simply should have finished. Somehow.
The book is told in first person narrative from Moo's point of view. It seems very realistic and painfully sad. His parents are both overweight and seem to literally smother Moo with food. There are many times in the book when Moo describes meals like this: shovel it up, pile it up and push it in, nosh, nosh, nosh...etc. Over and over. They aren't doing him any favors.
Moo stand atop a bridge over a highway each night, alone, and counts cars, plays games with himself and basically wallows in sadness. It made me feel horrible to read his descriptions of how he spent his time because despite the pitifulness of his life, Moo absolutely does not feel sorry for himself. He understands pity and hates it. He refuses to allow himself to indulge in it.
One night as he watches cars on his bridge he sees an episode of apparent road rage and someone dies as a result. Moo seems to be the only real witness and he is questioned by the police. He is confused and afraid by the whole process especially since what he sees just doesn't seem right to him. It's not. The entire event was orchestrated to frame a known underground criminal. Poor, poor Moo for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Most of the book is about the inner turmoil caused by his intention to testify at the criminal hearing and his insistence on telling the truth despite the police wishing the truth were otherwise.
Moo is threatened by crooked police, wooed and bribed by the framed man's attorney and then threatened again by the goon. Not only is Moo himself in danger, which he could accept it seems, but the law lets him in on a little secret. His father is a deadbeat, cheating the dole and illegally living off the people. If Moo testifies the police will prosecute his father. It's all just too much for a young man to take.
Once Moo agrees to testify his abuse at school stops. Completely. Moo is intelligent enough to realize this must be due to the influence of the man his testimony could help free. Poor Brady gets no such relief, and during an intense scene Moo realizes that Brady has lied and said he also saw the incident. It seems Brady is willing to say he saw what the police want to have happened. Sadly, Brady is physically punished for this with a brutal beating and recants. It's just one more thing to add to Moo's list of the crap storm that comes from what happened and all the adults trying to twist the truth to suit their own needs despite who gets hurt.
The inner dialogue and Moo's observations struck me as very realistic and sometimes hurt to read. He wasn't a great kid or anything, but he was just a kid and we all hate to think of the young as being so mistreated. There seems little he can do to help himself and no matter what he does or says someone will get hurt. So many times this is the case, but we all hope it only happens to adults.
My problem with this book is the way Brooks decides to end it. Actually, the way he decides not to end it. I don't want to ruin it for future readers, but I felt it was a cop out. I don't need a neatly packaged and tied ending. I'm okay with open endedness. What I don't like is when it seems obvious a writer was either unable to decide what his character would do, or too cowardly to write it. I know what I think Moo did, and it breaks my heart a bit to think it, but Brooks should have written it. Or something else. He simply should have finished. Somehow.
March 9, 2009
Six chapters in: It's not as great as I thought it would be. I mean, the voice is REALLY REALLY REALLY well written, and it pulls you in and makes you want to finish the book. But it's really confusing at times and it's too cliche.
FINISHED: Wow. It gets WWWWWAAAAYYYYYY better. Like....wow. Incredible. I'm so speechless. One thing for sure, I LOVED the ending. Not a happily ever after. It actually left you with things to think about. It left you hanging. Wanting more.
I totally recommend this book to anyone. Boys, girls, teens, adults, anyone. I really enjoyed reading it and it has taught me A LOT.
FINISHED: Wow. It gets WWWWWAAAAYYYYYY better. Like....wow. Incredible. I'm so speechless. One thing for sure, I LOVED the ending. Not a happily ever after. It actually left you with things to think about. It left you hanging. Wanting more.
I totally recommend this book to anyone. Boys, girls, teens, adults, anyone. I really enjoyed reading it and it has taught me A LOT.
January 23, 2009
I liked this book alot! It had a good amount of emotion and I never wanted to put it down. Its a book that never seems to grow old.
January 16, 2019
Personal Response:
This book was a real thriller. It kept me guessing from beginning to end, and the use of first person point of view allowed Kevin Brooks to write as though he were the main character. The plot was realistic, and the characters were relatable, which gave me a chance to feel as they felt through the main character’s eyes.
Plot:
Michael “Moo” Nelson is bullied by his classmates at school because of his size. It’s what he calls “the Rain.” All of that changes, however, when he witnesses a car chase/homicide. Now the whole town wants to get their hands on him. Policemen, criminals, even the bullies at school want to know just what happened. At first, Moo enjoys becoming like a protected species, but he soon realises how corrupt the law officers in his community are. Suddenly, the whole town is stretching Moo in every direction. Some want him to lie, others want the truth, and some believe the truth is the lie, and that the lie is the truth. In the midst of the investigation, Moo’s only friend is badly injured. However, the worst of it comes when he goes on trial. He is harassed and bullied by grown adults, in front of other grown adults. Torn and fed up with the whole situation, Moo makes a decision that could alter his life forever.
Characterization:
Because of his situation, Moo’s character altered a lot. At the beginning, he is innocent, naive, confused, and just trying to do the right thing. By the end, however, Moo is harder, and slightly unhinged.
Age Recommendation:
I’d recommend this book for anyone at the high school reading level. Many subjects are explored that may be too harsh for the middle school reading level, and the language used in the book is less than clean. This is, however, a good read for both boys and girls because the main character is relatable to everyone, and the plot doesn’t focus on the gender of the main character, but rather, his situation.
This book was a real thriller. It kept me guessing from beginning to end, and the use of first person point of view allowed Kevin Brooks to write as though he were the main character. The plot was realistic, and the characters were relatable, which gave me a chance to feel as they felt through the main character’s eyes.
Plot:
Michael “Moo” Nelson is bullied by his classmates at school because of his size. It’s what he calls “the Rain.” All of that changes, however, when he witnesses a car chase/homicide. Now the whole town wants to get their hands on him. Policemen, criminals, even the bullies at school want to know just what happened. At first, Moo enjoys becoming like a protected species, but he soon realises how corrupt the law officers in his community are. Suddenly, the whole town is stretching Moo in every direction. Some want him to lie, others want the truth, and some believe the truth is the lie, and that the lie is the truth. In the midst of the investigation, Moo’s only friend is badly injured. However, the worst of it comes when he goes on trial. He is harassed and bullied by grown adults, in front of other grown adults. Torn and fed up with the whole situation, Moo makes a decision that could alter his life forever.
Characterization:
Because of his situation, Moo’s character altered a lot. At the beginning, he is innocent, naive, confused, and just trying to do the right thing. By the end, however, Moo is harder, and slightly unhinged.
Age Recommendation:
I’d recommend this book for anyone at the high school reading level. Many subjects are explored that may be too harsh for the middle school reading level, and the language used in the book is less than clean. This is, however, a good read for both boys and girls because the main character is relatable to everyone, and the plot doesn’t focus on the gender of the main character, but rather, his situation.
July 6, 2019
I did not finish this book. I made it to page 100 and found that I was not interested at all and after looking at other reviews decided not to push through. The way this book is written really gets on my nerves, I especially hate all the sound affects, even more than the random capitalization. I figure this is for entertainment purposes but it just did the opposite for me.
October 2, 2018
This book doesn’t even deserve a review. 99% of the language in this book is misspelled, abbreviated slang, or “yeh”. Maybe it’s supposed to be a message to the reader, but all I got was that the narrator didn’t care. There were so many lawyers I couldn’t keep track of who worked for who, and the story was just plain bizarre.
And the ending? What the F? Trying not to spoil, let’s just say that what’s supposed to be a desperate cliffhanger is very angering and just shows the lack of judgment and common sense of the character.
And the ending? What the F? Trying not to spoil, let’s just say that what’s supposed to be a desperate cliffhanger is very angering and just shows the lack of judgment and common sense of the character.
August 5, 2019
Ich mag es nicht, wenn ein ganzes Buch umgangssprachlich und mit gewollten Rechtschreibfehlern geschrieben ist. Dass einige Wörter scheinbar wahllos fett, kursiv oder ganz groß geschrieben sind, nervt auch richtig...und dann dieses Ende! Mal davon abgesehen, dass die Story erst so ab Seite 300 Fahrt aufnimmt, ist es furchtbar, wenn man am Ende nicht erfährt, ob der Dicke seinen Plan durchzieht, sondern der sudert einfach nur bis in alle Ewigkeit weiter
March 28, 2009
"WHAT YOU GONNA DO?"Yeh, I'm wondering WHAT Moo gonna do.
Brooks has a distinct way of writing, or else I should say a distinct way of ending his books. Nothing is resolved. He keeps the reader guessing and guessing. Candy and Being, two prime examples of Brooks's writing that don't have resolutions. And yet, that's what keeps the story in our heads, what makes the memorable.
Kissing the Rain is about a fat, bullied kid named Michael "Moo" Nelson. His life takes a dramatic turn (for the best or worst?) when he witnesses a murder. Everything is mixed up. Like Moo says, good=bad, good=bad, truth=lies, lies=truth. When doing the right thing is wrong, how do you know what to do? Moo is stuck in this predicament until he decides to "kiss the rain."
What I thought happened:
Vine is being set up. Duh.
What I think is that three guys, the driver, Caveman, and half-baldy, planned to frame Vine for murder. The driver acted like he was stabbed by Vine and went down. Caveman, half-baldy, and Twin driver (AKA Lee Burke) exited the car. Caveman and half-baldy ganged up on Twin and stabbed him to death. They moved his body to where the driver fell (to make it look like he was the driver). And then they ganged up on Vine to shove the knife in his hands, for fingerprints as evidence.
THAT'S why Moo never saw Vine touch the driver.
THAT'S why the guys in the car were involved in a struggle.
And THAT'S what I think.
Brooks has a distinct way of writing, or else I should say a distinct way of ending his books. Nothing is resolved. He keeps the reader guessing and guessing. Candy and Being, two prime examples of Brooks's writing that don't have resolutions. And yet, that's what keeps the story in our heads, what makes the memorable.
Kissing the Rain is about a fat, bullied kid named Michael "Moo" Nelson. His life takes a dramatic turn (for the best or worst?) when he witnesses a murder. Everything is mixed up. Like Moo says, good=bad, good=bad, truth=lies, lies=truth. When doing the right thing is wrong, how do you know what to do? Moo is stuck in this predicament until he decides to "kiss the rain."
What I thought happened:
Vine is being set up. Duh.
What I think is that three guys, the driver, Caveman, and half-baldy, planned to frame Vine for murder. The driver acted like he was stabbed by Vine and went down. Caveman, half-baldy, and Twin driver (AKA Lee Burke) exited the car. Caveman and half-baldy ganged up on Twin and stabbed him to death. They moved his body to where the driver fell (to make it look like he was the driver). And then they ganged up on Vine to shove the knife in his hands, for fingerprints as evidence.
THAT'S why Moo never saw Vine touch the driver.
THAT'S why the guys in the car were involved in a struggle.
And THAT'S what I think.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2009
This book was very different from what I expected it to be. The main character Mike, aka, Moo Nelson is a British 15 year old who is overweight and anti-social. He is constantly picked on by his peers and refers to it as getting "RAINED ON" I thought this was an interesting metaphor for what he was going through. The kids who taunted him were the dark clouds that hovered over him day in and day out. But things change once Moo witnesses a car chases, fight and murder on the highway footbridge he goes to for solace from the RAIN. He is then caught up in a conspiracy that he doesn't want any part of.
One of the themes in the book was the idea of conspiracy and truth. It really made me think about the justice system. We assume that police officers and other people involved with law enforcement are here to do the right thing. I've never really thought about them as people who would take advantage of a high ranking position to benefit themselves; whether it be for a murder trial like in this book or something else. It's pretty crazy how messed up the world can be. Moo saw this and came to the conclusion that the only way for him to overcome his situation was to "kiss the rain"--Brooks leaves it up to the reader to decide how he does this.
I really liked Moo's character. At times he was a jerk but he was very realistic. His thought process was easy to understand because he was so straight-forward and detailed.
If you enjoy suspenseful novels, you should definitely read this book.
One of the themes in the book was the idea of conspiracy and truth. It really made me think about the justice system. We assume that police officers and other people involved with law enforcement are here to do the right thing. I've never really thought about them as people who would take advantage of a high ranking position to benefit themselves; whether it be for a murder trial like in this book or something else. It's pretty crazy how messed up the world can be. Moo saw this and came to the conclusion that the only way for him to overcome his situation was to "kiss the rain"--Brooks leaves it up to the reader to decide how he does this.
I really liked Moo's character. At times he was a jerk but he was very realistic. His thought process was easy to understand because he was so straight-forward and detailed.
If you enjoy suspenseful novels, you should definitely read this book.
January 27, 2010
Moo Nelson are a fat kid in school where people laughs at him and make funny jokes about him and the only place he found save is on the bridge. The bridge is his secret thinking place where he can sort things out and leave things behind and he goes there everyday to watch the traffic because he found it fascinating to watch different cars heading to different places. One day he witnessed a murder on the bridge and suddenly he had all the attention he wants because people are interested in what had really happened. The police want him to testify Kurt Vine who is a known career criminal, but Vine and his lawyer have their ways to keep Moo’s mouth shut and cooperates with them.
Moo’s family is in danger because of him and his best friend Brady is beaten and he finds himself in a very awkward situation where he can not seek for adults advises and he has to make a decision on whether he should risk his family’s life for the truth or should he choose to protect his family.
This book is excellent in altering the readers mood because as the story goes on, the tension between the character increased and it makes the readers really wants to know what decision will Moo make. Whether he choose to be moral and tell the truth or he choose to protect the family which is also understandable considering his age that he was still not old enough to make those decision.
I recommend this book to people who like to read books that incorporates a lot of tension because it is indeed an excellent book to read for.
Moo’s family is in danger because of him and his best friend Brady is beaten and he finds himself in a very awkward situation where he can not seek for adults advises and he has to make a decision on whether he should risk his family’s life for the truth or should he choose to protect his family.
This book is excellent in altering the readers mood because as the story goes on, the tension between the character increased and it makes the readers really wants to know what decision will Moo make. Whether he choose to be moral and tell the truth or he choose to protect the family which is also understandable considering his age that he was still not old enough to make those decision.
I recommend this book to people who like to read books that incorporates a lot of tension because it is indeed an excellent book to read for.
February 5, 2014
Mike Nelson or "Moo" is the narrator and protagonist of this story which is set in a small town in the UK.The story consists of Moo's life after he witnesses something he is not supposed to witness. Moo must deal with two problems in the story, the fact that he is an over weight fifteen year old boy who is bullied in school (Hence the name "Moo), and the police along with everybody else questioning him on what he witnesses.
The plot of the story is some what interesting and mysterious it does not relate to the very misleading title; To be honest, I thought it was a romance when I saw the cover. The situation that Moo is put in is not any ordinary or plain one. One thing that probably lowered my rating is the narration; it was like Moo was repeating things and yelling at you through the book; there were so many capitalized sentences and random thoughts plopped in the pages of the book.It was an interesting way of narration that i'm sure appeals others but it just didn't work out for me. To sum it up, it was a pretty random and unique story with good plot and conflict.
The plot of the story is some what interesting and mysterious it does not relate to the very misleading title; To be honest, I thought it was a romance when I saw the cover. The situation that Moo is put in is not any ordinary or plain one. One thing that probably lowered my rating is the narration; it was like Moo was repeating things and yelling at you through the book; there were so many capitalized sentences and random thoughts plopped in the pages of the book.It was an interesting way of narration that i'm sure appeals others but it just didn't work out for me. To sum it up, it was a pretty random and unique story with good plot and conflict.
March 10, 2022
the end of this book definitely frustrated me beyond belief, absolutely upsetting. was very hard to get into at first and then still very slowly picked up and then the last 50 pages it was like *boom* yeah here’s all the big important stuff and then drops you off a cliff.
January 19, 2011
Moo likes spending time above the busy roadway where he can forget the bullying, teasing, and sucky life he lives and thinks he catches a break when he witnesses a car crash and murder that brings excitement into his life- yet, as you can imagine this accident and murder was done by crazy lunatics who might be out to get Moo as well.
Honestly, I skipped most of the middle. I disliked the all caps, italics, and ellipses that scatter the pages from Moo's thought. And while I understand its significance, it left me annoyed. Sometimes I have a problem with the English as well, as Kevin Brooks is from across the pond and while it wasn't a hindrance, Moo's life is just a tad different and I couldn't move past it to actually enjoy the story or appreciate the commentary on bullying.
Honestly, I skipped most of the middle. I disliked the all caps, italics, and ellipses that scatter the pages from Moo's thought. And while I understand its significance, it left me annoyed. Sometimes I have a problem with the English as well, as Kevin Brooks is from across the pond and while it wasn't a hindrance, Moo's life is just a tad different and I couldn't move past it to actually enjoy the story or appreciate the commentary on bullying.
January 8, 2010
Moo Nelson is always teased and ignored. Only when hem witness a car chase and a murder. Then everyone listens to him.
I didn't get to read the whole book. I didn't understand it. I had very high expectations for this book. The grammar for me was horrible. Some letters that were supposed to be lowercase were uppercase. It is possible that Moo Nelson is just an expresive person. Not to mention that he used bad langue more than once. Maybe I wasn't supposed to read it now. Maybe I have to wait until I can understand it better, so I think in high school I'll try to read it again.
I recommend this book for for teens, young adults, and above.
I didn't get to read the whole book. I didn't understand it. I had very high expectations for this book. The grammar for me was horrible. Some letters that were supposed to be lowercase were uppercase. It is possible that Moo Nelson is just an expresive person. Not to mention that he used bad langue more than once. Maybe I wasn't supposed to read it now. Maybe I have to wait until I can understand it better, so I think in high school I'll try to read it again.
I recommend this book for for teens, young adults, and above.
November 11, 2007
This book was so painful to listen to because of the confusion and depression of the main character. But I felt this was on purpose and that is was so important to listen to his line of thinking and decision making process. (even though this was fiction you could totally imagine all this confusion happening--a little reminiscent of Avi's Nothing But the Truth). The ending leaves you hanging which is just perfect because the plot seems headed for a likely devastating finish. It is up to you, the reader, to conclude what happened next? Great writing!
June 22, 2009
Moo Nelson, is fat and gets teased at school for it. The jokes, the insults, the snide laughter, the beatings - all of it he calls the rain. Moo has learned to deal with it, to walk through it with his eyes down. Because after school there is always the bridge - a place where he can watch the cars go by. That is until he sees two speeding cars, a crash, a scuffle and a murder on the bridge.
repetative, slightly boring with a few swear words and very disappointing end. wouldn't really recommend it.
repetative, slightly boring with a few swear words and very disappointing end. wouldn't really recommend it.
August 26, 2009
This book's writing style is REALLY hard to get used to. It is so informal and I found it too conversational as I feel it got in the way of the story.
The character development was good. I could really feel sorry for the main character (when the writing style wasn't killing it for me).
The ending was a bit frustrating too.
Overall, the book was okay and may appeal more to a reader who likes the writing style. I would recommend people to "try it out" but I imagine that a lot may not finish it.
The character development was good. I could really feel sorry for the main character (when the writing style wasn't killing it for me).
The ending was a bit frustrating too.
Overall, the book was okay and may appeal more to a reader who likes the writing style. I would recommend people to "try it out" but I imagine that a lot may not finish it.
September 1, 2009
This is a story about Michael Nelson, a teenage boy who has little friends and is overweight. Michael, also known as Moo, is bullied at school. This all changes when he witnesses an accident. The police is at his doorstep questioning him, a known criminal is threatening him, and his worst tormentor at school is protecting him. Michael's world is turned upside down and he doesn't seem to know what to do.
December 19, 2013
I liked the book Kissing The Rain because it taught the important of telling the truth and including all the details from an event I experienced. But on the other hand, it wasn't the best book I have read because it was wrote in a kids view and like every other word was capitalized. But with it being wrote in a kids view it had lots of easy to understand words. It was easy to relate to to a friend.
January 1, 2010
I usually really like his choppy slang style but this time it was horribly distracting. CAPITALS all the TIME as if WE couldn't GET where the STRESS of the SENTENCE SHOULD be. See?
Also not a story I felt at all emotionally tied to like I usually do with his books. IIt was like a bad Law and Order episode where you know there is going to be a cliff hanger.
Also not a story I felt at all emotionally tied to like I usually do with his books. IIt was like a bad Law and Order episode where you know there is going to be a cliff hanger.
January 19, 2010
I love, love, love the characters Kevin Brooks creates. I get a kick out of the London slang his characters use. I learn words I never knew before. Phrases like Fat Arse make me giggle. The kid, Moo, witnesses a crime, and the rest of the plot revolves around his struggle to do the right thing, after he figures out what the "right thing" is. Great read, as always, from Kevin Brooks.
April 20, 2008
I'm reading this book because I love the publishing company: Push Fiction. They are way into publishing new, bright, cutting-edge authors. Is that you, I'm describing? Kevin Brooks' last novel, Candy was much better, but I think it's being made into a shitty movie.
July 14, 2008
I enjoyed Moo a lot but the ending didn't satisify me. Some times I like when there are chiff hangers but the way the author decided to end wasn't great. I think Moo's idea of killing Vine was extreme but I think that Moo decides to kill himself. If I was in his shoes, I would've killed myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2009
I never finished this book. That doesn't happen very often. This author wrote a book called "Being" that was great and I just cannot find another of his that is even comparable. After this one I am done looking.
July 23, 2008
Loved this book. It's absolutely amazing. The way he writes it sort of put me off at first, but after I got into it I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to anyone.
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