Black Swan Green

A British coming of age story. The protagonist, a stammerer, is harassed by other kids at school because of his stammer. His well-kept secret is that he is a published poet, writing under a pseudonym. He meets many interesting people, while coping with the questionable ethics of the boys at school.

I am surprised that this book appealed to me, but the protagonist is likable, and his experiences are believable.

I don't like books, in general, with male protagonists. I just can't identify with what goes on in their lives. (Female brain/male brain differences provide a clear understanding of this) But this book had me from page one. I read it slowly, over about a month or more, and loved our main character, hated those other awful bullying boys. I know nothing about the growing up years of boys. My own two sons were reticent to talk about anything during their junior high and high school years. I can only hope my sons had help like Madame Eva and a teacher or two. The ending is wonderful.