Brixton Rock

"Pacy; witty; his characters are real and recognisable" LINTON KWESI JOHNSON

"Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath" KIT DE WAAL

"Alex Wheatle writes from a place of honesty and passion" STEVE McQUEEN, director of Small Axe

South London in the 1980s. Sixteen-year-old Brenton Brown is the mixed-race child of a mother he has never met. He's been living in a children's home all his life, and when he is unexpectedly reunited with his mother, Cynthia, his whole world seems poised to change.

The best thing happens: Brenton has a family at last.

And then the worst: Brenton falls in love with his beautiful half-sister, Juliet.

As tensions brew in Brixton, Brenton finds himself embroiled in a violent feud with a killer. Vengeance seems like the only option as Brenton hurtles towards an explosive climax which will risk everything.

Brixton Rock is the extraordinary debut of one of the UK's finest writers, a pitch-perfect depiction of South London life.

"A triumph . . . This is a debut which confirms its author is a pro in prose" The Times

Brixton Rock is a pacey document of teenage angst ... which is why the pockets of humour prove to be such a triumph. This is a debut which confirms its author is a pro in prose The Times
The novel's real strength lies in the dialogue. Wheatle gives us a fascinating snapshot of Black English in the early eighties Daily Telegraph
Sharp-edged and sardonically funny, Brixton Rock is Graham Greene for the hip-hop generation -- Barry Forshaw Crime Time
A powerful debut ... a real page turner. The mystery and intrigue just keeps on coming as the suspense builds to an explosive ending Big Issue
Alex Wheatle's Brixton Rock has initiated the debate on how it feels to be a mixed-race Briton New Statesman
Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath. It's a pity there's only one of him. -- Kit de Waal
Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath. It's a pity there's only one of him. -- Kit de Waal

Alex Wheatle MBE was born in South London in 1963 and is an accomplished and award-winning author of more than a dozen books, including children's and young adult novels. The story of his teenage years was the basis of Steve McQueen's "Alex Wheatle" in the Small Axe series (December 2020), and he has written and performed a play about his life titled Uprising. His novels for adults include the Windrush classic Island Songs, as well as Brixton Rock, Brenton Brown, East of Acre Lane, and Home Boys. His books have been adapted for theatre, radio and film.

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