Lockdown

Frankly I would struggle to put a Genre label on this but it does not matter. The plot is not so uncommon and pretty much par for the course for a prison novel. And like its most successful (arguably) elder sibling (think Shawshank), its not the plot that makes it a good book but rather the telling. AGS has the gift. The gift to make you feel a part of the plot. You live as a prisoner, you taste the slop and your mouth waters when its inmates cook something special. And while its narrated in first person its the other people in the narrative you love. So if you love story telling and don't mind some gore and cruelty, take some time to experience life in one of the worst prisons ever. Welcome to the Furnace!

Well, it was certainly exciting. and a fast fast read. I found the characters a little unbelievable. (why are there only boys in the prison?) but I guess in for a penny in for a pound. I can certainly see recommending this for reluctant boy readers, much like grasshopper jungle, only with a less stupid ending.