'Once in a while you read a book that you wouldn't normally choose, and get blown away. This is what happened to me on reading Crushed. It’s a fairy tale that Grimm would have been proud to have written. Dark things happen in an otherwise familiar world. The tight use of language - the narrator’s voice is as Grimm as the characters - takes us inside the darkness of the children’s minds as they try to cope with their dysfunctional family and their teenage angst. The plot unfolds in an otherwise apparently uncontrolled stream of consciousness, leaving one wondering if the author's words are leading events, or events leading the author. Altogether and assured and fascinating debut novel,' Andrew Palmer, 47.
‘The novel is infused with snippets of humour and maintains a continual fast pace. As a result, it is sure to appeal to all young girls who have ever had an insatiable crush, experienced such inconveniences as a sibling, or have been driven by the desire to achieve their dreams. Considering that the majority of young people can relate to these factors, I have no hesitation in recommending this book as a most enjoyable read,' Helen Ralli - schoolgirl.
'I'm impressed. I'm clearly not the target audience for this book, but nonetheless I found it very readable. The prose has a simple, almost fairy-tale quality to it and the sibling rivalry is nicely sketched," Clive Ashenden, Horror film director.
'I really enjoyed reading "Crushed" and my 14 year old daughter is now reading it. I found it hard to put down once I started and the charachters were so real. I hope this book does well because it deserves to be up there on the best seller list,' Sarah Fearnall.
'If you happen to be the father of teen twin daughters you could learn a thing or two here.
Mr. Brevington, aka Pa, is a nifty escape artist who manages to maintain his serenity while living in poverty in the eye of the storm created by the three female members of his chaotic household situated in one of London's poshest barrios. While the tempest rages around him his writer's studio provides a shield as well as gateway into an ancient world of mystery and thus deserves special attention.
Meanwhile his wife Ma and twin daughters Door and Dee work overtime to steal the show. Their emotional outbursts may be a result of a general hysteria that Central London living generates, what with the constant pull between classical heritage and contemporary pop culture. Elements of The Ugly Duckling blended with the mythological Eve versus Lilith or the more recent Nicky Hilton versus Paris Hilton will show young women from Tokyo to West Virginia what fun they could have had if fate had only tossed them into the life of being groomed in the capital of British pop.
After reading Crushed one is left with little doubt that London was built on top of an elevator shaft that has been pouring talent and glitter and sparkles from the secret world of fairies and goblins at the centre of this planet ever since time began. And author Frances Lynn seems to be an authority when it comes to a twenty-first century version of Middle Earth,' Ulla Ward de Mora.
"Crushed" is a delightful read.
The twins are deftly drawn, and in these cynical times are innocents (along with the whole eccentric Brevington family) from a different era.
The book is about - and doubtless for - young teen-agers, and has a freshness, as if written by a talented peer,' Brian Smedly-Aston, movie producer.
In our opinion we think you are a brilliant authoress and are loads better than STUPID J.K. Rowling (We want Harry Potter to die in the next book!!!!!!!!!!!
St Christina's school, London.
|
Share
Save