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Kevin and Sadie #1
The Twelfth Day of July
The first chapter takes place in a Protestant street. Tommy and Sadie Jackson are already looking forward to the 12th day of July which is a Protestant celebration day. Meanwhile, Catholic Kevin McCoy is out causing trouble in the Protestant part of town. What will happen when Sadie and Kevin meet? Can they become friends when everyone else in Northern Ireland is so full of hatred against the other religion?
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
66 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Joan Lingard
92 books63 followersJoan Lingard was born in Edinburgh, in the Old Town, but grew up in Belfast where she lived until she was 18. She attended Strandtown Primary and then got a scholarship into Bloomfied Collegiate. She has three daughters and five grandchildren, and now lives in Edinburgh with her Canadian husband.
Lingard has written novels for both adults and children. She is probably most famous for the teenage-aimed Kevin and Sadie series, which have sold over one million copies and have been reprinted many times since.
Her first novel Liam's Daughter was an adult-orientated novel published in 1963. Her first children's novel was The Twelfth Day of July (the first of the five Kevin and Sadie books) in 1970.
Lingard received the prestigious West German award the "Buxtehuder Bulle" in 1986 for Across the Barricades. Tug of War has also received great success: shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 1989, The Federation of Children's Book Group Award 1989, runner up in the Lancashire Children's Book Club of the year 1990 and shortlisted for the Sheffield Book Award. In 1998, her book Tom and the Tree House won the Scottish Arts Council Children's Book Award. Her most recent novel, What to Do About Holly was released in August 2009.
Lingard was awarded an MBE in 1998 for services to children's literature.
Lingard has written novels for both adults and children. She is probably most famous for the teenage-aimed Kevin and Sadie series, which have sold over one million copies and have been reprinted many times since.
Her first novel Liam's Daughter was an adult-orientated novel published in 1963. Her first children's novel was The Twelfth Day of July (the first of the five Kevin and Sadie books) in 1970.
Lingard received the prestigious West German award the "Buxtehuder Bulle" in 1986 for Across the Barricades. Tug of War has also received great success: shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 1989, The Federation of Children's Book Group Award 1989, runner up in the Lancashire Children's Book Club of the year 1990 and shortlisted for the Sheffield Book Award. In 1998, her book Tom and the Tree House won the Scottish Arts Council Children's Book Award. Her most recent novel, What to Do About Holly was released in August 2009.
Lingard was awarded an MBE in 1998 for services to children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
July 24, 2020
I love this series now just as much as I did 30 years ago. What makes me sad is that hatred and bigotry over religion is just as topical now as it was then.
So watching Kevin and Sadie break boundaries gladdens my heart. They were my second relationship that I shipped hard (Anne and Gilbert were first) and their story sucks me in and makes me feel all the tender thoughts. Which is a lovely antidote to the gritty, violence filled world they live in.
Now to ransack my house to find the rest as the series as I believe they are out of print.
Note: if you live in Ireland, you can get the first two books as audiobooks from the library via BorrowBox.
So watching Kevin and Sadie break boundaries gladdens my heart. They were my second relationship that I shipped hard (Anne and Gilbert were first) and their story sucks me in and makes me feel all the tender thoughts. Which is a lovely antidote to the gritty, violence filled world they live in.
Now to ransack my house to find the rest as the series as I believe they are out of print.
Note: if you live in Ireland, you can get the first two books as audiobooks from the library via BorrowBox.
August 25, 2016
I'd been looking forward to reading this book for a while and the negative rating reflects my disappointment.
While this book was good in several respects (it was short, was factual, etc.) it also had downfalls which for me, unfortunately, were a bit more prominent than it's good aspects.
1. Cutting to the chase, I didn't like the low-key sexism. Of course, I take into consideration that it was written in the 70s. And honestly, I don't mind it that much, but a couple of things just got on my nerves, such as Mrs Jackson making the comment "a woman is nothing without her kitchen".
I could rant about how ridiculous this idea is, but I'll save you that.
There are a couple of other examples, like comments Kevin made, and the fact that Mr and Mrs McCoy left Brede in charge in charge when they were away despite the fact that Kevin was at least two years older than her. Why? Because Brede is a girl.
2. It's always the CATHOLICS making trouble. It's always the Nationalists starting it. And maybe this is me looking too deeply into it. Maybe this is me being butt hurt and missing the point. Or maybe it's lazy writing.
And don't get me wrong, it's not the fact that it's painting nationalists in a bad light and therefore giving good little Protestant girl Sadie an excuse for revenge. If it was the other way round and loyalists were the ones causing the trouble, the ones sparking it all off, I would be just as rubbed up. This book should be common ground, should be showing that both sides are as good and as bad as each other, and therefore that neither side is good or bad. By having Kevin McCoy (a nationalist) sparking it all off, and then continuing to cause all the trouble, it refuses to do this and in the end is an oxymoron to itself.
Whether the author is a loyalist and did this unwittingly as a result of internalized prejudices or she is a nationalist and did it to show she was not favouring the Catholics I do not know and do not wish to find out. It doesn't matter. The point is that it's there and that it shouldn't be. Not amused Lingard.
3. The characters aren't well written, aren't well created and aren't believable.
And no, I'm not being too harsh.
Sure, you could argue that it is only a short novel, that the characters were only being established, but that isn't good enough. There were plenty of opportunities for Lingard to make her characters - or at least Kevin and Sadie - more wholesome, yet she did not.
Sadie is, quite honestly, a bitch. She complains about her "best friend" behind her back, dislikes her "best friends" parents, sparks a feud with a lad from another street, insults a minister, burns down a kitchen (and doesn't get punished?). I could go on, but I am not going to because I don't think I could stand to hate her more than I already do. She's one dimensional, and it's glorified - praised even - when she's snarky, when she fights back, when really it's unbearable. There were some points during the story. There some points during the story where I just really wanted to jump in and give her a slap.
Kevin is a little more bearable and innocent, despite his tough facade (for example, when his parents were away, he hosted a party, where there was coca cola and a fiddle player. I think this is quite sweet, really). But there is that point I made earlier about him continuously provoking loyalists, and him teasing Sadie when his mates quite literally captured her and she was trying to fight back.
And then there were the odd comments here and there like "They divided the area up between them, giving Linda the smallest portion", which are completely unnecessary. Why give Linda the smallest portion? And why even mention it? Bits and pieces like this made me wonder if Lingard was deliberately trying to get the reader to dislike all of her characters. The only vaguely likable ones for me were Brede ("You won't order me into the kitchen, Kevin McCoy") and Tommy (because he cares about his sister).
This is only a short list in terms of numbers, but are three very important features in the book. They add tone to it, they are a very large part of it, and they cannot be ignored.
I have to say that overall the only part I liked was the ending (and no I'm not being sardonic. Well...mostly). It was sweet, reminded me of a trip into Bangor with two of my friends, and there seemed to be some actual character development.
I accidentally bought Across the Barricades first, and am hoping that it is better, that this one was just the straggly beginning.
If not, and it is just as bad, I don't think I'll be reading anymore Kevin and Sadie books.
While this book was good in several respects (it was short, was factual, etc.) it also had downfalls which for me, unfortunately, were a bit more prominent than it's good aspects.
1. Cutting to the chase, I didn't like the low-key sexism. Of course, I take into consideration that it was written in the 70s. And honestly, I don't mind it that much, but a couple of things just got on my nerves, such as Mrs Jackson making the comment "a woman is nothing without her kitchen".
I could rant about how ridiculous this idea is, but I'll save you that.
There are a couple of other examples, like comments Kevin made, and the fact that Mr and Mrs McCoy left Brede in charge in charge when they were away despite the fact that Kevin was at least two years older than her. Why? Because Brede is a girl.
2. It's always the CATHOLICS making trouble. It's always the Nationalists starting it. And maybe this is me looking too deeply into it. Maybe this is me being butt hurt and missing the point. Or maybe it's lazy writing.
And don't get me wrong, it's not the fact that it's painting nationalists in a bad light and therefore giving good little Protestant girl Sadie an excuse for revenge. If it was the other way round and loyalists were the ones causing the trouble, the ones sparking it all off, I would be just as rubbed up. This book should be common ground, should be showing that both sides are as good and as bad as each other, and therefore that neither side is good or bad. By having Kevin McCoy (a nationalist) sparking it all off, and then continuing to cause all the trouble, it refuses to do this and in the end is an oxymoron to itself.
Whether the author is a loyalist and did this unwittingly as a result of internalized prejudices or she is a nationalist and did it to show she was not favouring the Catholics I do not know and do not wish to find out. It doesn't matter. The point is that it's there and that it shouldn't be. Not amused Lingard.
3. The characters aren't well written, aren't well created and aren't believable.
And no, I'm not being too harsh.
Sure, you could argue that it is only a short novel, that the characters were only being established, but that isn't good enough. There were plenty of opportunities for Lingard to make her characters - or at least Kevin and Sadie - more wholesome, yet she did not.
Sadie is, quite honestly, a bitch. She complains about her "best friend" behind her back, dislikes her "best friends" parents, sparks a feud with a lad from another street, insults a minister, burns down a kitchen (and doesn't get punished?). I could go on, but I am not going to because I don't think I could stand to hate her more than I already do. She's one dimensional, and it's glorified - praised even - when she's snarky, when she fights back, when really it's unbearable. There were some points during the story. There some points during the story where I just really wanted to jump in and give her a slap.
Kevin is a little more bearable and innocent, despite his tough facade (for example, when his parents were away, he hosted a party, where there was coca cola and a fiddle player. I think this is quite sweet, really). But there is that point I made earlier about him continuously provoking loyalists, and him teasing Sadie when his mates quite literally captured her and she was trying to fight back.
And then there were the odd comments here and there like "They divided the area up between them, giving Linda the smallest portion", which are completely unnecessary. Why give Linda the smallest portion? And why even mention it? Bits and pieces like this made me wonder if Lingard was deliberately trying to get the reader to dislike all of her characters. The only vaguely likable ones for me were Brede ("You won't order me into the kitchen, Kevin McCoy") and Tommy (because he cares about his sister).
This is only a short list in terms of numbers, but are three very important features in the book. They add tone to it, they are a very large part of it, and they cannot be ignored.
I have to say that overall the only part I liked was the ending (and no I'm not being sardonic. Well...mostly). It was sweet, reminded me of a trip into Bangor with two of my friends, and there seemed to be some actual character development.
I accidentally bought Across the Barricades first, and am hoping that it is better, that this one was just the straggly beginning.
If not, and it is just as bad, I don't think I'll be reading anymore Kevin and Sadie books.
May 22, 2022
Like many other teens, I was captivated by this five book series about a Catholic boy and Protestant girl in Belfast who fall in love, thus upsetting their families.
Lingard's website describes the book thus:
It all began with a dare. The idea of sneaking into the Protestant area to daub slogans under the mural of King Billy seems thrilling and exciting to Kevin and his Catholic friends. But feelings run high in Belfast and in the end paint-splashing turns into something far more dangerous. The only good thing to come out of the reckless trip is that it brings Kevin into contact with Sadie Jackson - and that is to change his life.
Lingard's website describes the book thus:
It all began with a dare. The idea of sneaking into the Protestant area to daub slogans under the mural of King Billy seems thrilling and exciting to Kevin and his Catholic friends. But feelings run high in Belfast and in the end paint-splashing turns into something far more dangerous. The only good thing to come out of the reckless trip is that it brings Kevin into contact with Sadie Jackson - and that is to change his life.
June 5, 2016
It's about kids, written for kids (early teens), but good for anyone interested in understanding Northern Ireland during the "troubles". Joan Lingard writes as one who grew up in Belfast. Her characters are authentic natives from both sides of the divide, kids, their parents, their neighbours, streets lined with terrace houses. Going by the copyright date, it's the 1960s, probably a few years before the setting of Gerald Seymour's Harry's Game (which I've also reviewed), and before Bloody Sunday. Neither the IRA nor any Protestant paramilitaries figure in the story, only the two neighbourhoods, probably somewhere in West Belfast. It's enough that it takes place during the few days leading up to the most controversial date in the Irish calendar -- hence, the title.
On the Protestant side, Sadie and her brother, Tommy, are getting ready for the big day, practicing to march in the parade, and decorating their street. Sadie is the feisty fireball, the one who rallies the neighbourhood kids to action, sometimes getting into a spot of trouble. Over on the Catholic side, live Keven and his sister Brede. Keven gets restless when things are too quiet, which things are on their side of the divide. Brede prefers to read her books and stay out of trouble.
The ball gets rolling as Keven and his friend Brian decide to sneak into the Protestant neighbourhood in middle of the night, and deface a mural of "King Billy" -- as William of Orange is fondly called by the "Prods". Sadie catches them in the act, and, being the sprinter that she is, catches up with him and tackles him to the ground; their first meeting. After that, there's the revenge attack, where Sadie and Keven meet again. So, it goes on, tit-for-tat. Things get out of hand, but somewhere along the way, someone plants the seed -- a cup of tea, actually -- that germinates and blossoms when the situation is at its most intense, and something happens that no one could have predicted.
Joan Lingard brings it all together in a believable way. It's not forced, it's not goody-goody "let's-be-friends"; it's people with a history of hatred, but somehow with the right mixture, they're forced to see one-another's humanity.
It's the first in the series of "Keven and Sadie" books. I might read another one...
On the Protestant side, Sadie and her brother, Tommy, are getting ready for the big day, practicing to march in the parade, and decorating their street. Sadie is the feisty fireball, the one who rallies the neighbourhood kids to action, sometimes getting into a spot of trouble. Over on the Catholic side, live Keven and his sister Brede. Keven gets restless when things are too quiet, which things are on their side of the divide. Brede prefers to read her books and stay out of trouble.
The ball gets rolling as Keven and his friend Brian decide to sneak into the Protestant neighbourhood in middle of the night, and deface a mural of "King Billy" -- as William of Orange is fondly called by the "Prods". Sadie catches them in the act, and, being the sprinter that she is, catches up with him and tackles him to the ground; their first meeting. After that, there's the revenge attack, where Sadie and Keven meet again. So, it goes on, tit-for-tat. Things get out of hand, but somewhere along the way, someone plants the seed -- a cup of tea, actually -- that germinates and blossoms when the situation is at its most intense, and something happens that no one could have predicted.
Joan Lingard brings it all together in a believable way. It's not forced, it's not goody-goody "let's-be-friends"; it's people with a history of hatred, but somehow with the right mixture, they're forced to see one-another's humanity.
It's the first in the series of "Keven and Sadie" books. I might read another one...
October 23, 2023
3.75
Meh…
Meh…
July 3, 2023
Fond 3.5 and keen for the next one. Particularly hit home as I was reading while in Northern Ireland.
November 25, 2025
Another book for my thesis chapter. 3 stars.
April 12, 2014
It's been quite a few years since I first encountered Kevin and Sadie. This book was written early in 'The Troubles' and I was reading these books as they were coming to an end. Their story did have an impact on me in my early teens. Often it can be quite disappointing to revisit childhood books - they sometimes just don't live up to our memories of them but rereading this as an adult I still think it is brilliant. It's well written and manages to cope with a tricky subject matter fanstically. The only thing that makes me sad that, 40 years after it was first written and almost 20 years since I first read it, much of the content of this book, dispite the peace process, would still be very relevant and recognisable to many of todays children in Northern Ireland. I hope some day that we get it right here - I want children to have to have this book explained to them, and for them to be told "This is how it WAS!"
September 10, 2016
This novel really moved me. I first read it as a 13 year old, and it's still in my main bookshelf. The romance between Kevin and Sadie led me to investigations of Catholicism and wider Protestantism than my family's Anglican background. I'm a sucker for hard fought love set against violent backdrops... The first three Kevin and Sadie novels were intensely memorable. They got a bit dreary and bleak after their escape to grey old England. But the story inspired me to a lifelong interest in Ireland, including a degree major in Irish history and literature, and traditional Irish names, spelled traditionally for two of my three children. I hope my children will learn even more about tolerance *when* they read these books!
August 5, 2022
My partner returned home with this book from a patient he took care of, who turned out was the writer of the book.
A quick and easy read following Sadie, who was protestant, and Kevin, who was catholic, set in belfast during the troubles. I thought it was beautifully written and I really got a feel for what it was like growing up during this period of time. The book also ended with two chapters of the next story which I'm looking forward to reading. Everyone loves a love story, particularly the ones where love isn't allowed.
Rest in peace Joan Lingard.
A quick and easy read following Sadie, who was protestant, and Kevin, who was catholic, set in belfast during the troubles. I thought it was beautifully written and I really got a feel for what it was like growing up during this period of time. The book also ended with two chapters of the next story which I'm looking forward to reading. Everyone loves a love story, particularly the ones where love isn't allowed.
Rest in peace Joan Lingard.
January 28, 2015
*Still working on.*
I sort of think that anyone who's trying to write a story about star-crossed lovers seriously needs to read these books. This is how it's done. I know Kevin and Sadie aren't together in this first book, but it's a part of the story of their romance, which is practical and not too lovey-dovey while remaining realistic and touching. The series shows the realities of loving someone from a group you've been taught to hate all your life, the self-doubt, the distrust, the clashes. Though ultimately Kevin and Sadie both want peace, it's always clear that they disagree on how that will come about. Even though they raise a Catholic child together, Sadie always remains suspicious of the Pope and the Catholic church. Even though they live in the UK for large portions of the series, Kevin always identifies as Irish. Though they love each other, they still remain wary of the other side, seeing their spouse as 'different'. Though they are married to someone from the other side, their hatred is still a part of their identity, and never really goes away. It's a brilliantly realistic description of the realities of being star-crossed lovers. Though it gets harsh and gritty at times, I'd take it over the soppy, unrealistic version we see too often in YA any day. Because seriously, that's what life is like when you fall in love with an enemy you've been trained to hate all your life. You can't just forget what's an integral part of you because omg hawtness or some other shite. I need to see more of this sort of romance.
Now onto the review. The Twelfth Day of July is set in Belfast, which happens to be my favourite city on earth. Always has been, and probably always will be. But Belfast, let's be honest, it's got some issues. There's parts of that city that I won't go into, as a Catholic with a big southern Irish accent on her.
How welcoming is that? Murals with big pictures of a group who actively hate me, the guns pointed just in case the message isn't clear enough. And then you get republican ones, which are equally charming.
I mean, I'm from Dublin, you do see graffiti written all over the place saying "IRA" or "CIRA"(which used to be my favourite graffiti when I was smaller and didn't know what it meant ha), but Belfast is something else entirely. It's actually weirdly beautiful with its murals, even the violent, aggressive ones.
It's also almost entirely built on divisions, and though things are getting better now, they were at their worst when this novel was written.
Kevin and Sadie live just a few streets away from each other. They live in identical houses, speak the same language and have very similar childhoods in many ways. But they are completely different from one another, because Kevin is Catholic and Sadie is Protestant.
This being Belfast of the twentieth century, it meant much more than that. Kevin comes from a nationalist/republican family, calls himself Irish and wants Northern Ireland to be a part of the Republic of Ireland. Sadie comes from a unionist/loyalist family, calls herself British and wants Northern Ireland to be a part of the United Kingdom. With bombs going off in the name of both causes, tensions are high.
And in the days coming up to the twelfth of July, a celebration for Protestants because of their victory over Catholics in the 1600s, things are even tenser. (Even today they're fairly tense around that time of year. Like here's a photo of a pyre that's going to burn the Irish flag.)
It's through the eyes of four young people that Belfast is explored in this novel, two sets of siblings. They are all prejudiced, though the novel shows how similar they all really are. Still only young, they are taking part in the Troubles through childish means, by having fights with each other on the streets.
The language is simplistic, but it does the job very well, bringing Belfast to life, and really showing what life during the Troubles was like. There's a strong sense of fear throughout, but despite this, people get on with life. There's a risk of young children, mainly boys, being recruited into paramilitary groups, and of everyone being injured for simply being born. An amazing novel, highly recommended.
Some more of Belfast's murals, because they really are an amazing. Horrible, and tragic and a fair few bad things too, but they are genuinely amazing. Maybe not in a good way.
I sort of think that anyone who's trying to write a story about star-crossed lovers seriously needs to read these books. This is how it's done. I know Kevin and Sadie aren't together in this first book, but it's a part of the story of their romance, which is practical and not too lovey-dovey while remaining realistic and touching. The series shows the realities of loving someone from a group you've been taught to hate all your life, the self-doubt, the distrust, the clashes. Though ultimately Kevin and Sadie both want peace, it's always clear that they disagree on how that will come about. Even though they raise a Catholic child together, Sadie always remains suspicious of the Pope and the Catholic church. Even though they live in the UK for large portions of the series, Kevin always identifies as Irish. Though they love each other, they still remain wary of the other side, seeing their spouse as 'different'. Though they are married to someone from the other side, their hatred is still a part of their identity, and never really goes away. It's a brilliantly realistic description of the realities of being star-crossed lovers. Though it gets harsh and gritty at times, I'd take it over the soppy, unrealistic version we see too often in YA any day. Because seriously, that's what life is like when you fall in love with an enemy you've been trained to hate all your life. You can't just forget what's an integral part of you because omg hawtness or some other shite. I need to see more of this sort of romance.
Now onto the review. The Twelfth Day of July is set in Belfast, which happens to be my favourite city on earth. Always has been, and probably always will be. But Belfast, let's be honest, it's got some issues. There's parts of that city that I won't go into, as a Catholic with a big southern Irish accent on her.
How welcoming is that? Murals with big pictures of a group who actively hate me, the guns pointed just in case the message isn't clear enough. And then you get republican ones, which are equally charming.
I mean, I'm from Dublin, you do see graffiti written all over the place saying "IRA" or "CIRA"(which used to be my favourite graffiti when I was smaller and didn't know what it meant ha), but Belfast is something else entirely. It's actually weirdly beautiful with its murals, even the violent, aggressive ones.
It's also almost entirely built on divisions, and though things are getting better now, they were at their worst when this novel was written.
Kevin and Sadie live just a few streets away from each other. They live in identical houses, speak the same language and have very similar childhoods in many ways. But they are completely different from one another, because Kevin is Catholic and Sadie is Protestant.
This being Belfast of the twentieth century, it meant much more than that. Kevin comes from a nationalist/republican family, calls himself Irish and wants Northern Ireland to be a part of the Republic of Ireland. Sadie comes from a unionist/loyalist family, calls herself British and wants Northern Ireland to be a part of the United Kingdom. With bombs going off in the name of both causes, tensions are high.
And in the days coming up to the twelfth of July, a celebration for Protestants because of their victory over Catholics in the 1600s, things are even tenser. (Even today they're fairly tense around that time of year. Like here's a photo of a pyre that's going to burn the Irish flag.)
It's through the eyes of four young people that Belfast is explored in this novel, two sets of siblings. They are all prejudiced, though the novel shows how similar they all really are. Still only young, they are taking part in the Troubles through childish means, by having fights with each other on the streets.
The language is simplistic, but it does the job very well, bringing Belfast to life, and really showing what life during the Troubles was like. There's a strong sense of fear throughout, but despite this, people get on with life. There's a risk of young children, mainly boys, being recruited into paramilitary groups, and of everyone being injured for simply being born. An amazing novel, highly recommended.
Some more of Belfast's murals, because they really are an amazing. Horrible, and tragic and a fair few bad things too, but they are genuinely amazing. Maybe not in a good way.
July 12, 2023
4,5 stars.
That was a really sweet book! I liked it better than I expected. And so I will read the second book as well, although I hadn‘t planned to. And yeah, I finished the book on the twelfth day of July.
That was a really sweet book! I liked it better than I expected. And so I will read the second book as well, although I hadn‘t planned to. And yeah, I finished the book on the twelfth day of July.
December 9, 2021
Very informative novel, written in a style every one can understand. It reads very fluently.
November 7, 2022
Northern Ireland is full of hatred between Catholics and Protestants but when two teenagers from different sides of town meet they find that they really aren’t all that different.
March 5, 2012
It can be very risky rereading a book you remember from your childhood. I've been rereading my Diana Wynne Jones books regularly for years, and I know they can cope with the passage of time because they are mostly set out of time. But it was a bit of a risk to reread what I remembered as a shocking, gripping, highly contemporary, highly political book which I first read in the 1970s. But I'm really glad I did! The Twelfth Day of July is about the political and religious situation in Northern Ireland more than 40 years ago, and it's still masterful. Exciting, moving, funny, tense. It starts with an incredible two chapters introducing a Protestant family and a Catholic family, over tea-time on the same evening, expertly and clearly explaining a complex conflict in a simple and subtle way. Politicians and journalists have struggled to make as much sense of Northern Ireland! And once the action starts, it's non-stop. Kids from both sides of an invisible line of mistrust and hatred escalate a war of graffiti, house-breaking and chip-pan fires, until finally it breaks into violence. But the story is about growing friendship too (it's the start of a series in which the two main characters overcome incredible social pressures to fall in love, but you don't need to know that to enjoy their arguements, stand-offs, and fights as teenagers.)
This wasn't history when it was written, it was current and convincing reality. And it doesn't read like history now (despite the crunching poverty and casual sexism of the society) - it's tight, fast, modern and still a very good read.
This wasn't history when it was written, it was current and convincing reality. And it doesn't read like history now (despite the crunching poverty and casual sexism of the society) - it's tight, fast, modern and still a very good read.
October 2, 2014
a fascinating insight into the Troubles in Northern Ireland, written at the time when it was still happening. 'The Twelfth Day of July' tells the story of the conflict from the point of view of two teenagers - Kevin, a Catholic, and Sadie, a Protestant. Both are fiercely loyal to their respective sides, and engage in raids/attacks on the other side - graffiti, house breaking, and eventually violence. As much as the book is about the larger scale conflict between the two religious groups, it's also a personal battle of wills between Kevin and Sadie, who are perhaps more alike than either would care to admit despite belonging to different religious groups. The divide and the seething sense of unrest, resentment, and tension between the two is really well depicted. A single street is all that physically separates the two groups, Catholics and Protestants, but the religious, political, and historical background of the conflict is what really separates them. It being set in 1970s Belfast, there is also casual sexism, of course, but at the same time, women are shown to be strong, independent characters in their own right. Both Kevin and Sadie's mothers are not to be messed with, and Sadie and Brede (Kevin's sister) both refuse to take any nonsense from their respective brothers.
A quick and easy read, very gripping, and very interesting insight into a period of history.
A quick and easy read, very gripping, and very interesting insight into a period of history.
September 10, 2013
I read this when I was 12 years old... My first set text for high school.
I was never much of a reader in my childhood years. Whenever I read, I would immediately lose interest. I guess I just hadn't found the power of text, or seem to even understand what books were trying to say to me.
But this book was somehow the first book I managed to finish reading... and really enjoy it. Yes, it was a school text set for purposes for education. But I found myself visiting my new high school library and borrowing the other 4 books that complemented this series. The other books in the series weren't even necessary for our Term study in Year 7 English, but I read them all anyway.I loved them. I was hooked.
Honestly though, I completely forgot about this series. I'm graduating high school in a few days, and so I thought it would be cool to make a 'studied in high school' bookshelf. That was when I remembered this series, and all I remembered from it was that it featured Kevin and Sadie. Thank God for Goodreads.
I plan on re-reading this series, you know, now that I'm older and all.
But purely because this series was the kick start of my adventures of reading, I'm giving it 4 stars.
I was never much of a reader in my childhood years. Whenever I read, I would immediately lose interest. I guess I just hadn't found the power of text, or seem to even understand what books were trying to say to me.
But this book was somehow the first book I managed to finish reading... and really enjoy it. Yes, it was a school text set for purposes for education. But I found myself visiting my new high school library and borrowing the other 4 books that complemented this series. The other books in the series weren't even necessary for our Term study in Year 7 English, but I read them all anyway.I loved them. I was hooked.
Honestly though, I completely forgot about this series. I'm graduating high school in a few days, and so I thought it would be cool to make a 'studied in high school' bookshelf. That was when I remembered this series, and all I remembered from it was that it featured Kevin and Sadie. Thank God for Goodreads.
I plan on re-reading this series, you know, now that I'm older and all.
But purely because this series was the kick start of my adventures of reading, I'm giving it 4 stars.
February 3, 2025
Impossible to dispassionately review as teenage me has read so many times. But spoiler, I still love it so much. It’s mad that Lingard isn’t a more highly regarded writer, she packs so much into 127 pages. Such an array of characters who you can see so clearly. Totally vivid place, with the differences between the two streets so well drawn. I love seeing their characters at such a young age, it’s all there! And reading this again reminded me how much I always loved Sadie because she’s such a bold female character. You can’t keep her down!
I think possibly best ever YA series. There I’ve said it.
I think possibly best ever YA series. There I’ve said it.
February 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and I thought it was a very different type of book that I would read but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would like if it was a bit longer but other than that I loved it. I would recommend this book!!
December 28, 2009
unfortunately, i had to read that book in the school.
December 4, 2021
I'm definitely not the demographic for this book. But it handles the subject matter expertly and taught me a thing or two about The Troubles that I wasn't already aware of.
February 20, 2009
Part 1
This is more of a joint book review, between this book and Breakfast On Pluto, by Patrick McCabe
Twice the... recommendation!? :-)
In class we have read THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY, a book that we have also been keeping a Reader’s Journal on. In addition, we have been reading a book of our choice as part of our book club, as part of this I have been reading BREAKFAST ON PLUTO.
THE TWELFTH OF JULY is a book written by Joan Lingard and is set in Belfast; it follows the conflict between two neighbouring families. These include the Protestant family-the Jacksons- and the Catholic family-the McCoys. The inhabitants focused on in the story are the young Protestants, Sadie and Tommy, and the equally young Kevin and Bride -members of the Catholic family.
Sadie and Tommy are all up in arms about decorating their street for the 12th of July, the Orange March; they really want their street to win over the Vicar’s mind concerning the award for the ‘best’ street.
Meanwhile, Kevin and his ‘gang’ of friends are planning to deface the protestant’s monument of ‘King Billy’.
This defacement is just the basis, however small it may be, for a long line of abuse running back and forth between the two religious communities. This dispute gradually grows in scale, as it eventually leads to the Garda being involved in the matter.
BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, on the other hand, is a book written by Patrick McCabe, an author born in Clones, County Monaghan in1955. As well as writing this interesting story he also went on to write many award winning pieces of literature including novels, plays and children’s stories.
This particular story is written about a nineteen-year-old living on the southern side of the Irish border during the 1970s. He was abandoned as a baby as a consequence of an unpleasant incident between his mother, a temporary replacement housekeeper, and the local parish priest, Father Bernard. The young man’s life was to remain in an awkward position as he battled against the remarks of prejudice citizens and even family members, regarding his feminine choice of clothing , this being the least of his worries.
Young Patrick Braden also faced the struggle of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. He was accused of being a bomber. He had a friend insistent on being a republican, Irwine, thus leading to a fatality which distraught another of his close friends, Charlie. In addition to this, he also faced the death of an additional friend, a Down’s syndrome boy called Laurence that didn’t know any better.
He faced all of this in his witty and charming ways while also on a mission to find his mother, in amidst the hustle and bustle of London City.
As you may have noticed already, both books share many similarities, but there are also many differences. For example, the opening scene in THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY shows a very different way of starting a story compared to the beginning of BREAKFAST ON PLUTO. The Twelfth Day of July starts with an opening scene of a breakfast in Catholic household. Whereas, in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, the opening scene refers to the main character’s current day to day goings on and a conversation with his doctor in which he encourages Patrick to write everything that comes to him in the form of a book, containing both fact and fiction. And that is where Patrick’s story starts.
Whilst being very differently written books, I believe that THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY and BREAKFAST ON PLUTO share many similarities.
We can illustrate this by comparing a main theme in both of the books. For example, ‘The Troubles in Northern Ireland’. The novel THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY was set just before ‘The Troubles’, whereas; Breakfast on Pluto has direct references as it was set during the times of ‘The Troubles’.
Although this theme occurs in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, it is conveyed more intensely and develops more meaning in THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY. The characters in this book interact in a way that tells us much about the times leading up to ‘The Troubles in Northern Ireland’. Although BREAKFAST ON PLUTO gives reference to ‘The Troubles’ itself, it does not go into specific detail. The book is written in the form of a story written by the main character – Patrick “Pussy” Braden – who, although affected by ‘The Troubles’, seems more engrossed in finding his birth-mother and deciding which mohair sweater to wear from day to day. Although his love for clothes can seem quite shallow, he does however show a lot of compassion for the victims of these terrible times.
Nevertheless, I do believe that the theme in question is conveyed slightly more deeply in The Twelfth Day of July. For example, as I have already mentioned, the younger people in the neighbourhood highlight this issue to us in the way in which they interact. By nature, nurture or simply by the influence of their peers, both religious communities have prejudices against each other. In this book, they decide to take actions on their opinions and strong beliefs by defacing the religious idyllic murals, investigating each other’s streets and vandalising property in both a genuine religious curiosity and in a revenge seeking way.
Again, in THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY, a similar theme is depicted, the theme of prejudice. I believe that this theme is highlighted a lot more in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO.
Although, in The Twelfth Day of July, prejudice is present. This is shown in the way in which the two conflicting groups of young people form negative ideas of each other before they even meet. For example, at the very beginning of the story the Catholic children-Kevin and his friends- decide to ruin the wall of the Protestants’ idol. This automatically shows that a negative opinion has been formed by some of the Catholics against the Protestants.
Also, in the middle of the book, the Protestant children-Sadie and Tommy- express their negative opinion of the views of the Catholic community. When they are walking through the Catholic street at night, to paint over the Catholic mural of the Pope, they notice the tri-colour flags in the homes and look at them in disgust. I believe that this negative opinion shows prejudice; the children might have not known what this tri-colour flag meant, but nevertheless put it upon them to make an insulting remark against it. Although, I can see how this remark may have come about by nature, nurture or, perhaps more likely, as a result of the actions of members of the Catholic community against the Protestant community.
This type of prejudice can be compared to another type found in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO. After reading this book, I noted quite a few instances of prejudice directed at Patrick because of the way in which he dresses.
For example, in one chapter Patrick goes to a ‘disco-pub’ at night, unfortunately, it is bombed. The police automatically suspect Patrick as the bomber, purely because he looked like he was a bomber disguised as a “tart”. This is probably the most extreme form of prejudice in the book, the other cases seemed more minor. As a result of the officers not thinking before they acted; the poor Patrick “Pussy” Braden was beaten until he confessed to planting the bomb.
Also, as I read the book, I heard more and more cases of prejudice towards Patrick because of the way he dressed. His own foster mother was close to disowning him because she came home early from Benediction to find Patrick dressed in her best dress and using her make-up. I believe that this is prejudice because she immediately acted with physical abuse toward Patrick before she had talked to him about why he was wearing her clothes. There is also further abuse throughout the book, also aimed at Patrick because of the way that he dressed, but in these cases from the public.
Hence, you, the reader can understand that the two books that I have read have a certain amount of both correspondence and dissimilarity. But, which should you pick up and read? Well, I think that it would be best if I were to discuss the book that I preferred to give you an idea, but I will also discuss who I think the target audience for the two books would be.
This is more of a joint book review, between this book and Breakfast On Pluto, by Patrick McCabe
Twice the... recommendation!? :-)
In class we have read THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY, a book that we have also been keeping a Reader’s Journal on. In addition, we have been reading a book of our choice as part of our book club, as part of this I have been reading BREAKFAST ON PLUTO.
THE TWELFTH OF JULY is a book written by Joan Lingard and is set in Belfast; it follows the conflict between two neighbouring families. These include the Protestant family-the Jacksons- and the Catholic family-the McCoys. The inhabitants focused on in the story are the young Protestants, Sadie and Tommy, and the equally young Kevin and Bride -members of the Catholic family.
Sadie and Tommy are all up in arms about decorating their street for the 12th of July, the Orange March; they really want their street to win over the Vicar’s mind concerning the award for the ‘best’ street.
Meanwhile, Kevin and his ‘gang’ of friends are planning to deface the protestant’s monument of ‘King Billy’.
This defacement is just the basis, however small it may be, for a long line of abuse running back and forth between the two religious communities. This dispute gradually grows in scale, as it eventually leads to the Garda being involved in the matter.
BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, on the other hand, is a book written by Patrick McCabe, an author born in Clones, County Monaghan in1955. As well as writing this interesting story he also went on to write many award winning pieces of literature including novels, plays and children’s stories.
This particular story is written about a nineteen-year-old living on the southern side of the Irish border during the 1970s. He was abandoned as a baby as a consequence of an unpleasant incident between his mother, a temporary replacement housekeeper, and the local parish priest, Father Bernard. The young man’s life was to remain in an awkward position as he battled against the remarks of prejudice citizens and even family members, regarding his feminine choice of clothing , this being the least of his worries.
Young Patrick Braden also faced the struggle of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. He was accused of being a bomber. He had a friend insistent on being a republican, Irwine, thus leading to a fatality which distraught another of his close friends, Charlie. In addition to this, he also faced the death of an additional friend, a Down’s syndrome boy called Laurence that didn’t know any better.
He faced all of this in his witty and charming ways while also on a mission to find his mother, in amidst the hustle and bustle of London City.
As you may have noticed already, both books share many similarities, but there are also many differences. For example, the opening scene in THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY shows a very different way of starting a story compared to the beginning of BREAKFAST ON PLUTO. The Twelfth Day of July starts with an opening scene of a breakfast in Catholic household. Whereas, in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, the opening scene refers to the main character’s current day to day goings on and a conversation with his doctor in which he encourages Patrick to write everything that comes to him in the form of a book, containing both fact and fiction. And that is where Patrick’s story starts.
Whilst being very differently written books, I believe that THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY and BREAKFAST ON PLUTO share many similarities.
We can illustrate this by comparing a main theme in both of the books. For example, ‘The Troubles in Northern Ireland’. The novel THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY was set just before ‘The Troubles’, whereas; Breakfast on Pluto has direct references as it was set during the times of ‘The Troubles’.
Although this theme occurs in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, it is conveyed more intensely and develops more meaning in THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY. The characters in this book interact in a way that tells us much about the times leading up to ‘The Troubles in Northern Ireland’. Although BREAKFAST ON PLUTO gives reference to ‘The Troubles’ itself, it does not go into specific detail. The book is written in the form of a story written by the main character – Patrick “Pussy” Braden – who, although affected by ‘The Troubles’, seems more engrossed in finding his birth-mother and deciding which mohair sweater to wear from day to day. Although his love for clothes can seem quite shallow, he does however show a lot of compassion for the victims of these terrible times.
Nevertheless, I do believe that the theme in question is conveyed slightly more deeply in The Twelfth Day of July. For example, as I have already mentioned, the younger people in the neighbourhood highlight this issue to us in the way in which they interact. By nature, nurture or simply by the influence of their peers, both religious communities have prejudices against each other. In this book, they decide to take actions on their opinions and strong beliefs by defacing the religious idyllic murals, investigating each other’s streets and vandalising property in both a genuine religious curiosity and in a revenge seeking way.
Again, in THE TWELFTH DAY OF JULY, a similar theme is depicted, the theme of prejudice. I believe that this theme is highlighted a lot more in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO.
Although, in The Twelfth Day of July, prejudice is present. This is shown in the way in which the two conflicting groups of young people form negative ideas of each other before they even meet. For example, at the very beginning of the story the Catholic children-Kevin and his friends- decide to ruin the wall of the Protestants’ idol. This automatically shows that a negative opinion has been formed by some of the Catholics against the Protestants.
Also, in the middle of the book, the Protestant children-Sadie and Tommy- express their negative opinion of the views of the Catholic community. When they are walking through the Catholic street at night, to paint over the Catholic mural of the Pope, they notice the tri-colour flags in the homes and look at them in disgust. I believe that this negative opinion shows prejudice; the children might have not known what this tri-colour flag meant, but nevertheless put it upon them to make an insulting remark against it. Although, I can see how this remark may have come about by nature, nurture or, perhaps more likely, as a result of the actions of members of the Catholic community against the Protestant community.
This type of prejudice can be compared to another type found in BREAKFAST ON PLUTO. After reading this book, I noted quite a few instances of prejudice directed at Patrick because of the way in which he dresses.
For example, in one chapter Patrick goes to a ‘disco-pub’ at night, unfortunately, it is bombed. The police automatically suspect Patrick as the bomber, purely because he looked like he was a bomber disguised as a “tart”. This is probably the most extreme form of prejudice in the book, the other cases seemed more minor. As a result of the officers not thinking before they acted; the poor Patrick “Pussy” Braden was beaten until he confessed to planting the bomb.
Also, as I read the book, I heard more and more cases of prejudice towards Patrick because of the way he dressed. His own foster mother was close to disowning him because she came home early from Benediction to find Patrick dressed in her best dress and using her make-up. I believe that this is prejudice because she immediately acted with physical abuse toward Patrick before she had talked to him about why he was wearing her clothes. There is also further abuse throughout the book, also aimed at Patrick because of the way that he dressed, but in these cases from the public.
Hence, you, the reader can understand that the two books that I have read have a certain amount of both correspondence and dissimilarity. But, which should you pick up and read? Well, I think that it would be best if I were to discuss the book that I preferred to give you an idea, but I will also discuss who I think the target audience for the two books would be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2020
This book is 50 years old, and Northern Ireland is still a bone of contention.
If you are new to the topic of the Troubles, the novel gives you a good idea of what life was like in the 70s for a working class kid from Belfast. I am not the target group for this book, but I can see why it’s so popular, especially as middle school reading material. It’s short enough and provides some age-appropriate historical context. (It also features some very old-fashioned gender roles.)
However, if you not a teenage reader, you might get easily annoyed by the main characters and their attitudes. Sadie and Kevin are 14-15 years old, and they are rather thoughtless, self-righteous and full of attitude. As teenagers are. In the second novel, set three years later, they are both more mature and reasonable, and I was less annoyed reading about them.
The story is about a prank whose implications quickly escalate. I felt sorry for those kids, having to grow up in a civil war – like situation, imbued with sectarian hatred. I’d say the story is largely impartial, trying to present the prejudices harboured equally on both sides.
However, for me it was mostly Sadie and her attitude that was hard to stand. I’ll always be on the side of the underdog, so her sense of entitlement bothered me a great deal. I mean, come on, she's 14, she walks into someone else's house in the middle of the night, vandalizes their property, and no one thinks it proper to punish her for it because oh well, it was only a Catholic family's house. Then the Catholics retaliate. And so on and so forth, and that's how it goes in Belfast.
Fifty years on, the Vatican's grip on Ireland has imploded, but English nationalism continues its toxic marches.
If you are new to the topic of the Troubles, the novel gives you a good idea of what life was like in the 70s for a working class kid from Belfast. I am not the target group for this book, but I can see why it’s so popular, especially as middle school reading material. It’s short enough and provides some age-appropriate historical context. (It also features some very old-fashioned gender roles.)
However, if you not a teenage reader, you might get easily annoyed by the main characters and their attitudes. Sadie and Kevin are 14-15 years old, and they are rather thoughtless, self-righteous and full of attitude. As teenagers are. In the second novel, set three years later, they are both more mature and reasonable, and I was less annoyed reading about them.
The story is about a prank whose implications quickly escalate. I felt sorry for those kids, having to grow up in a civil war – like situation, imbued with sectarian hatred. I’d say the story is largely impartial, trying to present the prejudices harboured equally on both sides.
However, for me it was mostly Sadie and her attitude that was hard to stand. I’ll always be on the side of the underdog, so her sense of entitlement bothered me a great deal. I mean, come on, she's 14, she walks into someone else's house in the middle of the night, vandalizes their property, and no one thinks it proper to punish her for it because oh well, it was only a Catholic family's house. Then the Catholics retaliate. And so on and so forth, and that's how it goes in Belfast.
Fifty years on, the Vatican's grip on Ireland has imploded, but English nationalism continues its toxic marches.
January 27, 2025
I've been curious about the Kevin and Sadie series for a while. This is a story about a developing romance between a Protestant girl and a Catholic boy in Belfast during the Northen Ireland Conflict. This first book really doesn't delve into that at all. It is more of an introduction to the characters. This story really focuses on a few days where a bunch of younger teens (some Catholic, some Protestant) deal with the micro aggressions of each other. What starts as a prank turns into a cycle of trying to outdo the other. One side versus the other side. Kevin and Sadie, the two leads, are a part of this and everything is set around them.
The climate of the time period was set by world events and enforced by the adults in these communities, which contribute to the growing hostility. These teens are just a product of their environments. Kids playing kid games, until it isn't. I'm intrigued where this will go because this first book really leaves you wanting. You do get to see some development of the characters, but very late into the book. It makes sense because there is more story to tell, and I figure it only gets better from here.
The climate of the time period was set by world events and enforced by the adults in these communities, which contribute to the growing hostility. These teens are just a product of their environments. Kids playing kid games, until it isn't. I'm intrigued where this will go because this first book really leaves you wanting. You do get to see some development of the characters, but very late into the book. It makes sense because there is more story to tell, and I figure it only gets better from here.
May 18, 2025
This book was a complete waste of time to read. I was forced to read this book in English. If you actually reading the book you would keep getting lots and every chapter kept
Repeating itself not only that there was never any good build
Up. And the worst part of the book was the end not because
It was ending BECAUSE IT ENDED IN THE WOREST POSSIBLE CLIFF HANGER if you wanted to know what happened after the cliffhanger you would have to buy the second book ONLY THE SECOND BOOK STARTS A GOOD FEW YEARS LATER SO THE FIRST BOOK SADIE AND KEVIN ARE KIDS BUT IN THE SECOND ONE THERE ADULTS SO THE CLIFFHANGER IN THE FIRST BOOK ISNT EVEN RELEVANT out of all the books I had to read for school I never hated a book like this. Not only was the entire
Book a waste of time to read this book is supposed to be about Northern Ireland back when there was still barriers and guards instead this Scottish person thinks that in this story she should make the Irish look bad. Overall I don’t recommend reading this book it’s a complete waste of time and if you are confused about the “good “ reviews there English teachers.
Repeating itself not only that there was never any good build
Up. And the worst part of the book was the end not because
It was ending BECAUSE IT ENDED IN THE WOREST POSSIBLE CLIFF HANGER if you wanted to know what happened after the cliffhanger you would have to buy the second book ONLY THE SECOND BOOK STARTS A GOOD FEW YEARS LATER SO THE FIRST BOOK SADIE AND KEVIN ARE KIDS BUT IN THE SECOND ONE THERE ADULTS SO THE CLIFFHANGER IN THE FIRST BOOK ISNT EVEN RELEVANT out of all the books I had to read for school I never hated a book like this. Not only was the entire
Book a waste of time to read this book is supposed to be about Northern Ireland back when there was still barriers and guards instead this Scottish person thinks that in this story she should make the Irish look bad. Overall I don’t recommend reading this book it’s a complete waste of time and if you are confused about the “good “ reviews there English teachers.
April 29, 2023
Library book 📚
4/5 ⭐
🌸 I knew of these books growing up in Northern Ireland but, somehow, I didn't read them. I wanted to correct that and fill a childhood reading gap!
➕ This was a quick, easy read (despite the heavy subject of the Troubles) which I always looked forward to picking up.
➕ I thoroughly enjoyed the plot. It was simple, yet powerful. Was it quite simplistic (especially at the end)? Yes, but it's a YA book so that's to be expected. I enjoyed the story nonetheless and am excited to see how it progresses in book two.
➕ I liked the writing, which reminded me of home. More than this, the writing was straightforward but allowed us to understand the motivations of the characters well.
➖ No major negatives; I just don't think it was a 5⭐ read.
⚖️ I really enjoyed this book and am glad I decided to pick it up. I've already borrowed the second book and will start reading it soon. I'd recommend to get an insight into the Troubles.
4/5 ⭐
🌸 I knew of these books growing up in Northern Ireland but, somehow, I didn't read them. I wanted to correct that and fill a childhood reading gap!
➕ This was a quick, easy read (despite the heavy subject of the Troubles) which I always looked forward to picking up.
➕ I thoroughly enjoyed the plot. It was simple, yet powerful. Was it quite simplistic (especially at the end)? Yes, but it's a YA book so that's to be expected. I enjoyed the story nonetheless and am excited to see how it progresses in book two.
➕ I liked the writing, which reminded me of home. More than this, the writing was straightforward but allowed us to understand the motivations of the characters well.
➖ No major negatives; I just don't think it was a 5⭐ read.
⚖️ I really enjoyed this book and am glad I decided to pick it up. I've already borrowed the second book and will start reading it soon. I'd recommend to get an insight into the Troubles.
July 25, 2024
Interesting junior read. Selected as a 7th grade English text, this simply told story takes the two sides in The Troubles in Belfast in the 60s, two young teens who’ve been raised to mistrust and despise each other on principle because of the faith they were born with, fall into the trap of trying to one up each other in a seemingly endless conflict of misdemeanours and petty crimes against each other, set in against an Irish Protestant day of celebration hated by the Catholics. The two main characters are simply and stereotypically drawn, along with their matching siblings and neighbours, but does give a simple glimpse into the human experiences taking place at the time; I did smile when I saw Derry mentioned, as I’ve only just now (finally) started watching Derry Girls, both stories set against a volatile political and religious landscape, but predominantly concerned with teenagers and their hormones… super quick but can instigate some story starters…
September 13, 2023
The first in the Kevin and Sadie series by Joan Lingard set in 1970s troubles era Belfast. I first read this series when I was around 12, about 40 years ago. I remember liking it a lot back then so I was excited to reread the series having recently bought second hand copies of the 5 books.
I'm not so sure this time around. Not much happens in this, the 1st book of the series. It's very dialogue heavy which may be fine for the age group it's intended for but as an adult i like novels padded out more with descriptions and backgrounds. It's also very much of it's time, with many misogynistic comments from the males. The whole book is unrealistic, this just would not have happened in 1970s Belfast. I'm hoping the series improves in the next books as although this one was ok, it was nowhere near as good as I remembered unfortunately.
I'm not so sure this time around. Not much happens in this, the 1st book of the series. It's very dialogue heavy which may be fine for the age group it's intended for but as an adult i like novels padded out more with descriptions and backgrounds. It's also very much of it's time, with many misogynistic comments from the males. The whole book is unrealistic, this just would not have happened in 1970s Belfast. I'm hoping the series improves in the next books as although this one was ok, it was nowhere near as good as I remembered unfortunately.
June 15, 2022
Why did I read a YA book from 1970 about two kids becoming friends in Belfast at the very start of the Troubles? Because I had COVID and couldn’t stomach anything else. I was obsessed with Joan Lingard’s Natasha’s Will when I was a kid, if I had read these books I would’ve been absolutely unbearable. Two things about this - one, it’s bloody hard to write for 12 year olds. You have to have so much clarity, and Lingard is a master at it. Two, it was so so sad to think that when this book came out the worst hadn’t even happened yet. Things were just going to get worse. And then obviously they got better - and now they seem to be getting worse again.
Oh, and Brede is baby Bernadette Devlin and I love her.
Oh, and Brede is baby Bernadette Devlin and I love her.
August 31, 2023
I read the second book of this series in secondary school in my English class and always wanted to go back to the beginning: I’ve finally done that and I’m glad that I did.
Set against The Troubles in Northern Ireland, it tell the story of Sadie Jackson and Kevin McCoy - a Protestant girl and a Catholic boy - and their escapades.
A young adult novel that is worth a read (the second book - Across the Barricades - was one of the few books that I was forced to read at school that I thoroughly enjoyed) that highlights just how pointless hatred and prejudice are to society.
I plan to reread the second book and complete this series: even though I’m almost 40 years too late to be in the target demographic!
Set against The Troubles in Northern Ireland, it tell the story of Sadie Jackson and Kevin McCoy - a Protestant girl and a Catholic boy - and their escapades.
A young adult novel that is worth a read (the second book - Across the Barricades - was one of the few books that I was forced to read at school that I thoroughly enjoyed) that highlights just how pointless hatred and prejudice are to society.
I plan to reread the second book and complete this series: even though I’m almost 40 years too late to be in the target demographic!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews