The average user rating for this Book is 7.9 out of 10 (based on 14 Votes).
Ron gave it a7: As Cloud Atlas showed, Mitchelll is a technical, formal wizard. But he needs a meaningful and emotionally-felt narrative--not, as here and there, a series of "events"--too often tiresome and with what can only be seen as (by and large) mundane insights, even for a 12-13 year old. FInally, the recent plethora of first person narratives by adolescents is a trend that should now be honored more in the breach than in the observance. A bit more heart and bit less head.
Sean W gave it a4: Stylistically the novel is sound. It makes clever use of vernacular and metaphor. But this coming of age tale is so over-famailiar and lacking in substance that it looks to me like a slump after the outstanding "Cloud Atlas."
Sue J gave it a9: Loved it!
rob gave it a9: highly compelling read.
larry G gave it a1: Some readers will undoubtedly get a "low-voltage charge" out of what Matt DC describes as the entertaining sadness of Mitchell's take on a difficult year of adolescence. I didn't. It's obvious that Jason is a stand-in for Mitchell's own Tom Brokaw-like speech impediment-afflicted childhood, however, does that, plus a bunch of '80s pop tunes, make this a compelling novel? No, not at all. In fact, it's a story that would do Michael Barone's Reader's Digest proud. I was annoyed by the precious "through-the-mouths-of-babes" adult humor.
Matt DC gave it an8: Black Swan green is nowhere near as complex in structure or style as Cloud Atlas, but that's not a bad thing. Mitchell's take on a difficult year of adolescence is highly entertaining and often sad. And beneath the everyday narrative there's just a hint of strangeness that adds a low-voltage current of magic to the book. Mitchell also adds a chapter which is a highly-satisfying reward to readers of Cloud Atlas. The conclusion is less cut-and-dried than Michael K would suggest. Well worth a read.
Tom M gave it a10: 'Black Swan Green' is hilarious, insightful, beautiful, ingenius, etc. This not a coming-of-age novel. Once this is understood, the reader will be consistenbtly and thoroughly rewarded.
Michael K. gave it a6: This is a sentimental story about a 13-year old boy with a speech impediment who's bullied all through the novel. There are 13 chapters representing January '82 to January '83. The '80s nostalgia and regional slang are excellent. The writing is often good, at its best when slightly off-beat, and the magic of childhood and the transition to adulthood are treated in a vivid and tender albeit mostly straightforward way. However, it's hard to accept the pleasant myth which is the ending. The real truth is that the humiliation and indignities of childhood don't suddenly end at 14. Those who loved Cloud Atlas would do better reading Kafka on the Shore.
Dara G gave it a9: Much like the pastiche that Mitchell created in Cloud Atlas, in Black Swan Green, there are threads of a story that are begun by the author and then left abruptly, only to be picked up again later and only somewhat completed. If this kind of style does not frustrate the reader, then the book should prove to be enjoyable. On the whole, an excellent novel with a highly sympathetic protagonist. A good addition to the growing body of coming-of-age literature that addresses the problem of bullying.
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