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Divided City book review

Stuart Butler

10th September 2005

I recommended this award winning book a couple of editorials ago – (2 quick book reviews/plugs here for 2 highly recommended books – “Those Feet” by David Winner; an erudite analysis of the historical relationship between English culture, notions of masculinity and football in all its manifestations. It’s funny too and I devoured it; £14.99 ISBN 0-7475-4738-6
I also recommend the following for the school library: ” Divided City” by Carnegie winning author Theresa Breslin, published by Doubleday, £10.99. ) Here is the promised book review from a student:
“A story following two boys who live in Glasgow. Graham and Joe are from different backgrounds, different areas of Glasgow and follow different religions. Despite their differences they somehow become good friends, united by football alone. The story reflects upon the segregation of the city and how simply pointless it is.

Graham, a Protestant, witnesses a brutal attack on an asylum seeker late at night, after his football practice. The assault happens in a rough area of the city, which Graham is banned from going to by his parents. He manages to get Kyoul, the victim, to hospital before fleeing, knowing he would be questioned by the police, consequently leading to his parents finding out his whereabouts that night. Kyoul, desperate to contact his secret girlfriend, asks a favour of Graham.

Graham doesn’t know what to do so he turns to Joe, and they together help Kyoul escape from hospital before the police find out where he is really from.

The story follows both boys’ personal lives in which the reader sees the two sides of conflict in Glasgow. Both boys attend a Rangers versus Celtic match separately in which they support their own team. Each feel uncomfortable listening to the abuse hurled at the opposition. This is because Joe likes Graham and Graham likes Joe. They don’t know why the Protestants and Catholics can’t just put aside their differences. Graham walks in the Orange Walk

Throughout the story, the two boys build a strong friendship despite knowing the disapproval that would occur if their families found out they were friends.”

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Source: http://footballpoets.org/news/2005/09/10/divided-city-book-review/