'Noughts & Crosses' by Malorie Blackman (Sa13+) [SPOILERS]
 

AAAhhhhhh!!!!! I'm so excited! This is one of my top 5 all time favourites!!! Ahhhhh. Time to pull it off the shelf and reread!

I wonder if I will still feel the same now about the characters and their motives (as an almost 30 year old) as I did when I read it originally (As a fourteen year old).

I just bought it on audible, so I'll probably start it next week after I finish my current book. Never read it before, but it looks really interesting and I'm excited to read it.

Your excitement makes me excited! :x3:

I think I first read it when I was about 13/14, too, but I don't entirely remember the plot - just bits of it. So far I've read about two chapters and it's suddenly all come flooding back!

Oh, yeah? I've got it on audible, too. ^_^ I hope you do enjoy it!

I shall try and obtain a copy ASAP!

Waiting on my copy from the library!

One of my ultimate favourite books. So incredible emotional and thought provoking- cant wait to hear what you all think!!!

That time when your eLibrary has a copy but you gotta put it on hold, only you've got your maximum number of books on hold :lol: so... it's on my WISH LIST! Hopefully by December 31st I'll have borrowed and read it ^_^

Have you all got copies yet? :x3:

I'm past the halfway mark on the audiobook now and wooooow, I forgot how intense this book is!

I'm a little over halfway too, and I'm really enjoying it!

Ok, I need a pep talk. I've read about a quarter of the book and I'm just not connecting with it. Maybe those of you who have read it and loved it can tell me what you love about it?

It didn't hurt that Malorie Blackman was lovely when I met her XD

It's almost time to discuss, so I want to check in with you all!

Who's finished? Who's still reading? <3

I've... stalled out, honestly :(

That happens, it's okay! Honestly, that was the case for me with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It doesn't mean you can't still discuss your thoughts with us. :glomp:

Well, here's a question for you guys who are so so so familiar with these characters and love them so dearly... I see that they're making a series based on the book. Who can you picture in the key roles? What are the scenes that MUST HAPPEN or you'll boycott?

In addition to Ern's question, Lawra and I have some for you:

• How did the book make you feel?
• What was your opinion of the narration?
• Did any parts of the book particularly stand out to you?

These are great questions! I'm personally drawing a blank trying to think of fancasting for the roles. Of COURSE the scene outside the school on Callum's first day neeeeeeeds to be included, and I'm sure it will. Aside from that I'm drawing another blank.

I'm really curious to see everyone else thinks, though!

This is really difficult. It was initially adapted as a play (12 years ago! :O) and Richard Madden played Callum, which I would have loved to see. I think Letitia Wright could be incredible in it, too. I know Stormzy (who's a big fan of the books and even referenced them in his Glasto set) was the first cast announcement, and I was drawing a complete blank as to who he could play - it turns out they've created a role especially for him, so that will be interesting to see.

I was REALLY sad to hear that they've changed it so that it starts with Sephy and Callum at 19/20, rather than 14/15, so some of the issues they face (like the school environment) are unlikely to feature. I would have loved to see Callums first day at school - such a pivotal moment will surely make it into the series, though, so it will be interesting to see the new take on it.

Callums realisation that his dad and brother are very involved in the Liberation Militia and his desperate rush to warn Sephy has to be in it, too.

How did the book make you feel? Angry, ashamed, hopeful, BROKEN. BROKEN BEYOND ANYTHING EVER.

What was your opinion of the narration? I personally liked that we got to see the world through the eyes of the two characters - I felt it gave us a better understanding of the different classes and the world than a one-sided or third person narration would have. I also really feel that Sephy's naivety and shelteredness, as well as her selfish teenage-side were reflected well, and it was a stark contrast to Callum's realist mindset. Again, he came across as such a teenager at first, but his side of the narration was my favourite as I felt you really saw him grow.

Did any parts of the book particularly stand out to you? Callums growth - from a determined teenager who thinks the world is heading in the right direction, to a resigned one who believes theres nothing going for him, through to a new rebellious and old-beyond-his-years young man, I loved his character development, and how it wasn't necessarily good. The first day of school, where Sephy doesn't understand why her word hurt so much. The plaster incident. Sephy telling Callum his baby would love him.

I'm a mess, bye.