The little twist at the end was shocking but it happened and was over way too quickly and I felt things were left unresolved. Featuring Cynthia and Isaac as the book delves into both of their lives, and watching their characters and relationship develop was sad but lovely. Cuts Both Ways is an engaging coming of age story following the life of Cynthia as she finds herself relocated to suburbia and thrust into the elite world of private school. Also the details used throughout like how it would always be Cynthia thinking something and then that who she’s with would answer what she’s thinking and she would pick up on that and always say something like “answering my thoughts as if they knew” and then the kissing of teeth throughout, there was more but I can’t think of them.

Cuts Both Ways By Candice Brathwaite | Used | 9781786541833 Cuts Both Ways By Candice Brathwaite | Used | 9781786541833

Brathwaite challenges them on page, but also lets their impact sit with the reader, confronting the lived experience of so many people. The murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 and the many other knife crime incidents since then, some of which don’t even get reported put into perspective how serious knife crime is and that awareness needs to be raised throughout communities to help bring this to an end. Having to be born in a place where gun and knife crime is something that bound to happen to the youngsters, Cynthia’s father is determine to change their future by moving out.

Candice is a Contributing Editor to Grazia and regularly appears on radio and television news channels to talk about maternal mortality rates for black women in Britain. The story explores the expectations of being a black teenager in Britain and touches on the way back and white are treated differently. Cynthia’s brother has been killed so her family decide to move out of London and enrol her in a private school in the countryside where she will be “safe”. It was so evident that this book was written by someone much, much older with not much sense of modern youthfulness and their interaction.

Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite - Fantastic Fiction Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite - Fantastic Fiction

London is all Cynthia knows, so when her parents abruptly uproot the family after a traumatic incident, to a place where there is only one bus an hour and the faint smell of horse manure continuously permeates the air, it's a culture shock, to say the least. well maybe we were supposed to know and I just didn’t know what it was from the subtle description of it.

if this is the start of a book series, 5 out of 10 if this is the only instalment because the end left a lot of questions. An exploration of race, class, love and the complexities of growing up as a Black British teen, from bestselling author Candice Brathwaite. On a deeper level it is about the socio-political and economic values and expectations that the BPOC community face on a daily basis.

CUT BOTH WAYS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary CUT BOTH WAYS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

A sharp and funny YA love story that explores themes of race, class and the complexities of growing up as a black British teen, from Sunday Times best-selling author Candice Brathwaite, author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother. I thought this book had the potential to be a good book, but instead, it was underwhelming and poorly written. What is meant to be a fresh start for Cynthia leads to a 'fish out of water scenario in which she starts at a posh new school as one of the only black students. She expects to be the only black girl there but is surprised to meet Isaac, brother of the head boy.That said deals very convincingly with difficult issues like bereavement and grief, racism, as well as colourism and the impact of different cultural traditions on modern day family life. Ok I'm obsessed with Candice Brathwaite anyway, she's my favourite person at the moment and this book was sooooooo shock twisty twisters I could almost hear her voice in my head as I read the words revealing who Isaac was.

Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite - Books - Hachette Australia Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite - Books - Hachette Australia

There has always been knife crime however due to media reporting it seems to be a common occurrence amongst youngsters. Cuts Both Ways tells the story of Cynthia—a 16-year-old from North London—who just moved to Buckinghamshire with her parents following the tragic loss of her brother.

but her father wants her to partner up with someone like Thomas, someone who will be 'better for her future prospects'. Along with this, her explorations on grief, relationships and young love make this a well rounded novel and a great first step into fiction for her. It is accepted by you that Daunt Books has no control over additional charges in relation to customs clearance. If you’ve ever heard Candice Brathwaite speak, either on IG Lives, podcasts or in person, you know that 2 minutes does not pass without her dropping gems 💎 there are gems all over in this book as well. The none so subtle pointing out of white privilege throughout was, at times, mind opening and uncomfortable for me and the tackling of such an important issue, knife crime was done in a responsible and measured way with full explanation and sources of support at the end of the book.