Cushla

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr Caldwell calls her "our little genius."
Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favourite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad….

Incredibly difficult book to talk about without giving out spoilers… an intense, riveting read that will have you reading til the early hours. Brilliantly written, Melanie’s’ voice is perfect, hard to believe it comes from the pen of man and not a little girl.

It’s challenging and intelligent, full of ideas - asking many questions of the reader. One dilemma I found most disturbing - is a disregard for ethics acceptable when survival is dependent on questionable activities?

Chilling but perfect, strangely satisfying ending

This novel will be hard to top this year…