Read Abomination (2007)

What do You think about Abomination (2007)?

This book is easily among the worst I've ever read. The story entirely lacked plausibility (ironically, the 'abomination' is perhaps the most believable aspect of it). Martha's interaction with her parents was badly written, and, even when disregarding that, there is still the gaping plotholes and painful presentation of Scott and Martha's friendship-and-something-more to contend with. The ending left me horrified and unsatisfied - neither in a good way. This book was a struggle to read; I had given up by page 20.
—Rachel

To start with, cards on the table, I like Robert Swindells. At times I find that he writes a little 'by the numbers' but he has written some great books for children. And Abomination is another cracking good read from the master of the dual narrative. He keeps the story racing along with short chapters, corking cliffhangers, constant questions for the reader and intense moral dilemmas for the characters.Despite having younger central characters - only twelve years of age - the novel has at its heart a message of personal development and strength and I found that even for me, sitting squat and ugly in middle age, their characters and problems were both interesting and engaging. Now, twelve is the age that is also an insult for those blessed with baby faces - 'they looked about twelve'. Not thirteen, that would be too old, too worldy wise. Not eleven, that doesn't sound quite right. Twelve. Only twelve works as the insult for the Dorian Greys of the world. So it was slightly uncomfortable, as a father, to have a romance developing between the embryonic protagonists, to have issues of domestic abuse and social responsibilities that they are faced with. Uncomfortable, but gripping. And ultimately, you forget that the characters are inchoate twelve year olds. You get drawn into their world and their lives and their voices. Swindells creates interesting characters through his first person dual narrative and interesting events and he writes in an exciting style. It's always going to be a winning formula. But let's face it, he's not really writing for me. He wasn't considering the comfortable clothes wearing, comfortably settled, middle aged target audience, but a younger audience. And he presents them with real issues, thought provoking problems - a little far fetched - but definitely thought provoking, the frisson of romance.In terms of the narrative there are some delightful touches. The parallel lives of the characters and their development are worked very effectively although the themes sometimes seem unlikely. A religious group of zealots called 'The Righteous'? Not so likely. Living in good old blighty? Even less likely. But then again, if religious extremist was so unlikely, if our world was so easy to define then I wouldn't be able to recall the Victoria Climbie case and how British social services was forced to reform in the light of her death. So sadly, perhaps it's not so far fetched...In all honesty, I read this book because it was a class reader for a class of twelve and thirteen year olds. I'm glad I did.They loved it.I really liked it.I would highly recommend it.
—Alec Dunn

In ABOMINATION, the bad guys are a religious extremist group that encourages child abuse, dictates what its parishioners wear, and regulates how they behave. It is a condemning look at a religious faction in which the families do not have television, computers, or cell phones. This sort of reminds me of different sects in real life. Swindells writing style and story is one I wont forget. I was expecting a thriller/horror but what I read was filled with friendship,conflict and I took from it was never judge someone based on appearances as everyone has a story. Its a very strong book with tough subjects such as child abuse I would recommend anyone to read it
—Krista