Title: The Road of the Dead
Author: Kevin Brooks
First published February 13, 2006
368 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780439786249 (ISBN10: 043978624X)
Rating: 3.78
Overview
When tragedy strikes their family, Cole and Ruben set out on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth behind their sister’s murder. Cole, a reckless 17-year-old, and Ruben, a peculiar 14-year-old, leave their London home and venture into the eerie moors of Devon, where they encounter unspeakable horrors.
As they come closer to finding the killer, the brothers must confront their own demons and fight for their survival. This is a harrowing tale of grief and vengeance, a treacherous journey down THE ROAD OF THE DEAD.
About the Author
Kevin Brooks, born in 1959 and raised in Exeter, Devon, England, pursued his education in Psychology and Philosophy at Birmingham’s Aston University in 1980 and Cultural Studies in London in 1983. His work experience includes an array of jobs, such as a musician, gasoline station attendant, crematorium handyman, civil service clerk, hot dog vendor at the London Zoo, post office clerk, and railway ticket office clerk.
Brooks began his writing career with the publication of his book, “Martyn Pig,” in 2002 through The Chicken House. The book won the Branford Boase Award 2003 and was a finalist for the Carnegie Medal.
He also wrote “Lucas” in 2002, which was a finalist for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and Booktrust Teenage Prize in 2003, winning the North East Book Award in 2004.
In 2004, Brooks published “Kissing The Rain” and “Candy,” followed by “Being” and “Black Rabbit Summer” in 2005. The year 2006 marked the publication of three books, including the Johnny Delgado Series – “I See You, Baby” and “Candy,” as well as “The Road of the Dead” as a standalone novel.
In February 2008, he published another standalone book, “Naked.”
As a child, Brooks had a fondness for detective novels, and he often creates plots for his books around crime fiction. He enjoys incorporating mystery and suspense into each story he writes, in some shape or form.
Editoral Review
Kevin Brooks’ The Road of the Dead is a haunting and gripping tale that is sure to captivate readers. Published in 2006, the book explores themes of grief, loyalty, and morality, which are all expertly woven together by the author’s impressive style of writing.
Brooks is an award-winning British author that has published several other notable books, including Martyn Pig, Black Rabbit Summer, and iBoy.
The Road of the Dead follows the story of two brothers, Ruben and Cole, who live in a small town in England.
The brothers’ father is an abusive alcoholic, and their mother has recently passed away. On a dangerous journey to help a friend, the brothers become embroiled in a dark and twisted criminal underworld, where they must confront dangerous gangsters, corrupt police officers, and their own inner demons.
Brooks’ writing style is impeccable, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story’s vivid and unsettling world. The setting of the book is described in minute detail, bringing the grimy and dangerous environs of the characters to life.
The character development is also expertly done, as the brothers’ personalities and motivations are gradually revealed to the reader, as the plot twists and turns.
The book has significant cultural significance in that it exposes the harsh realities of youth crime, poverty, and violence in modern British society.
The story is a reflection of the socioeconomic conditions in certain parts of the UK and highlights how the failure of society and institutional corruption have left the most vulnerable young people exposed and at risk. Although the Road of the Dead is an excellent book, it does have a few flaws.
Firstly, some readers may find the pacing of the book to be slow in some parts. Additionally, some readers may find the book’s violent imagery to be too intense for their liking.
Overall, the Road of the Dead is a masterpiece of modern fiction and should be a must-read for anyone who enjoy crime thrillers or literature that explores complex themes of family, loyalty, and morality. For readers looking for a book to delve into, the Road of the Dead is undoubtedly a strong choice.
Therefore, it would be easy to recommend this novel to a wide range of audiences, from young adult readers to older adults who are searching for a gripping and thought-provoking book.
Based on these factors, I would rate the Road of the Dead 4.7 out of 5, with the need for the reader to be prepared to handle the darker aspects of the book.
However, it is a relatively minor concern that does not detract from the book’s overall quality.