 TARGET AUDIENCE: Young Adult (but, really, everyone should read it)
QUEER CONTENT/IDENTITY? Non-Binary (agender) & Aromantic main character GENRE: Contemporary Fiction. Based on true events. BLURB: One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight. REVIEW: Dashka Slater's "The 57 Bus" is a riveting and essential read that explores themes of race, class, gender identity, and justice through the lens of a real-life incident. The narrative revolves around two high school students from Oakland, California—Sasha and Richard—whose lives intersect for a mere eight minutes each day on the 57 bus. Sasha, a white teen from a middle-class neighbourhood, and Richard, a black teen from a crime-ridden area, exist in vastly different worlds. A single reckless act on the bus one afternoon results in Sasha being severely burned and Richard facing charges of two hate crimes, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight. Slater's journalistic approach to the story provides a masterful examination of the complex issues at play. She deftly debunks stereotypes, challenging the notion of the hate-crime monster and the African-American thug. Through meticulous detail and compassionate storytelling, Slater probes the fine line between adolescent stupidity and irredeemable depravity, making readers question their assumptions about justice and morality. The book excels in its exploration of gender identity, adolescent crime, and penal racism. Slater's nuanced portrayal of both Sasha and Richard offers no easy answers but instead encourages readers to engage in deep contemplation. Her ability to present the perspectives of both teenagers with empathy and complexity ensures that the narrative remains balanced and thought-provoking. The detailed recounting of their lives and the circumstances that led to the tragic event on the bus highlights the systemic issues that contribute to such incidents. One of the most compelling aspects of "The 57 Bus" is its impact on readers. The book is likely to spark conversations and debates about justice, forgiveness, and the societal factors that influence behavior. Slater's compassionate writing underscores that there is often more to the story than what appears on the surface. The exploration of class, race, and gender identity is handled with sensitivity, making it a powerful and enlightening read. "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater is an outstanding work that delves into the complexities of contemporary issues with grace and insight. The book's thoughtful examination of the diversity of creed and the consequences of impulsive actions leaves a lasting impression. It challenges readers to redefine justice for themselves and fosters a greater understanding of tolerance and forgiveness. For anyone seeking a profound and thought-provoking read, "The 57 Bus" is an invaluable addition to their bookshelf.
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 BLURB: In this engaging and accessible guide, Eugen Bacon explores writing speculative fiction as a creative practice, drawing from her own work, and the work of other writers and theorists, to interrogate its various subgenres. Through analysis of writers such as Stephen King, J.R.R. Tolkien and J. K. Rowling, this book scrutinises the characteristics of speculative fiction, considers the potential of writing cross genre and covers the challenges of targeting young adults. It connects critical and cultural theories to the practice of creative writing, examining how they might apply to the process of writing speculative fiction. Both practical and critical in its evaluative gaze, it also looks at e-publishing as a promising publishing medium for speculative fiction.
This is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Creative Writing, looking to develop a critical awareness of, and practical skills for, the writing of speculative fiction. It is also a valuable resource for creators, commentators and consumers of contemporary speculative fiction. It's not often that one can read an instructional non-fiction text from cover to cover and remain engaged. But that's exactly what happened when I sat down with Bacon's new guide to writing speculative fiction. Eugen Bacon weaves together extracts from a variety of creative texts, commentary about storytelling, and anecdotes from her experiences as a teacher of creative writing to build a palatable, engaging, and endlessly useful guidebook. From an analysis of the nature of speculative fiction itself, through to consideration of th ekey elements of storytelling, and activities writers can undertake to activate their creative mind, variety is at the heart of this book. I came away with a renewed desire to write the sci-fi space story that's been (dare I say) floating in my mind for over a year. Only now, I intend to add some cross-genre elements, including a touch of horror to my futuristic world. If you are a writer and you don't finish Bacon's book with a sudden urge to write, and to write better, then I'd be at a loss to try and understand how such a thing is possible. You'll be inspired. You'll be challenged. You'll be reminded why you love speculative genres. And you'll be compelled to write. |
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