Powerful, shocking and beautiful

This shocking story is told by Skunk Cunningham (so named because her mum liked the group), who is 11 years old and in a coma.



We do not know why she is there until towards the end of the story, but she tells us of the events leading up to it, starting with the violent beating of teenage neighbour Rick Buckley by another neighbour (Bob Oswald) for something that he didn’t do.



Rick then becomes the ‘Broken’ of the title, and referred to as Broken Buckley throughout.



Bob’s life however seems to continue reasonably unchanged – father to five daughters who are just as thuggishly violent as him. Drink, drugs and sex help the days pass for the Oswald girls, and they revel in their reign of terror over everyone they know – including Skunk who is in class with one of them.



Skunk wants to enjoy just being a kid, playing too much X-Box with her older brother, forming a crush on her teacher (who also happens to be the boyfriend of their Welsh au pair – needed because their mum ran away to Spain years ago) and riding out in the sun on her bike.



But, living on this rather down-trodden square in Southampton that is lorded over by the Oswalds, Skunk is privvy to more violence, swearing, sex and criminal activity than is good for her. And yet her narration still has a naivety about it, and a poetic repetition that is somehow childlike, and lures the reader to its shocking and dramatic climax.



This isn’t like a modern day To Kill A Mockingbird, this is a contemporary realisation – evident even in the names that have been used (eg Skunk = Scout). Daniel Clay has made no secret of the fact that this was the inspiration for the story.



I listened to the audiobook, and Colin Moody’s narration was just right – a clever mixture of ‘telling’ what was coming in an ‘unaccented’ voice, and then accents used for actual speech, or when Skunk was narrating.

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5 people found this helpful

Great Story, Lots of Swearing and violence though!

Would you consider the audio edition of Broken to be better than the print version?

Never read the book, but great listening, I really enjoyed the characters, although language bad, but that was part of the story, wouldn't have worked without it.

What did you like best about this story?

Loved the characters and various plots going on within different families

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scene in Broken's wardrobe towards the end, very worrying in places and I was gripped to see where it was going, and going to end.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Did make me nearly cry towards the end. Loved Skunk

Any additional comments?

In todays society, there are families like these popping up around my area, and elsewhere I should think. (Don't get me talking about benefits! ) Although this was at the worse end of the scale.
Thoroughly loved the book.

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So insightful, a really good story

What made the experience of listening to Broken the most enjoyable?

The perspective it was written from, and the research that had obviously been carried out to make it credible. It also (sadly) illustrates some housing challenges in modern Britain.I did find the language a little challenging to begin with but to be honest it was justified in adding to the richness of the characters

What did you like best about this story?

The hope it gives us all and the importance of family.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The final scene when she wakes, or at least the internal dialogue is the decision to wake.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All of it for different reasons.

Any additional comments?

Not for those who cannot tolerate bad language.

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3 people found this helpful

Dysfunctional Families, I should say so!!

Would you listen to Broken again? Why?

No.

What did you like best about this story?

It was very tense throughout. It is a tough listen, but a real insight into how people behave when there are no boundaries, and when deprived of a loving and caring environment.

Have you listened to any of Colin Moody’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, but he was superb in portraying so many different characters and personalities.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think shocked more than moved. The whole production kept me on the edge of my seat.

Any additional comments?

This book is not an easy listen, with bad language all the time, and troubled characters. I would recommend it though as the writing is gripping and narration second to none.

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2 people found this helpful

Disappointing

The performance just didn't work with the story. The quality was inconsistent and the accents are very poor in places. This jarred and spoiled the story for me.

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2 people found this helpful

Definitely worth a listen!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A very strange and interwoven story, modern life with a hint of exaggeration. I loved the narrating, the story amused and interested me, some real life characters and scenarios.

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Wow

Did it meet my expectations ... Well I don't know what my expectations were, the book looked like an interesting mystery, and they talked about comedic elements. Well, there were a few dark comedy, cringe bits, but to be my mind it was not humorous.

Eleven year old Skunk tells the story of life in the square where she lives, how from a single minor event things start to spiral. I won't say too much about what happens, because I don't want to spoil it for future readers, but I am still up at two am because I have finish the book before I can sleep.

Narrator is very good, draws you in.

You quickly recognise the Oswald family, with youngest daughters sunrise and sunset, and know they are a month of Jeremy Kyle episodes in waiting. Every estate has an Oswald family.

I will certainly look for more be this author in future!

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How easy it is to ruin peoples lives....Great book

Any additional comments?

Didn't know what to expect with this book and I must admit, after the first 1/2 hour I still thought, "What am I listening to?". Then it changed to, this is a pretty good book and it's awfully well read. Finally, near the end it left my mouth open wondering how the bloody hell did all that happen, it was brilliantly done.

I'm glad I don't have neighbours like this. Excellent stuff

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Great story dodgy accents

Where does Broken rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It could have ranked much higher if only the accents and pronounciation of local places was right

Who was your favorite character and why?

Skunk for her braveness

How could the performance have been better?

Get the local pronounciation of things right remove the fake West Country accent. This is not what local people in Hedge End or Southampton sound like unless the are over 70!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

I loved the perspective the story was told from

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1 person found this helpful

The broken boy

If you don't like bad language this is not the book for you but it is a story that sucks you in with it's twisted tales. A story of how a moment in time can mould and change a person's life forever

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