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WEIRDO. MOSHER. FREAK.
(If only they'd stopped at name calling)
THE MURDER OF SOPHIE LANCASTER
by
CATHERINE SMYTH
THE BLURB:
Twenty-year-old Sophie Lancaster was kicked to death by a pack of 'feral' youths at her local park in Bacup, Lancashire. Her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, was also set upon and received life-threatening injuries.
Their only 'crime' was to dress differently, as 'goths' or 'moshers' in the easy shorthand of the media, which cited the killing as another example of Broken Britain.
Catherine Smyth was the first reporter on the scene and remained at the heart of the story throughout. A mother herself, she writes evocatively of the impact it had on both the Lancaster family and Bacup itself.
Smyth has unearthed several anomalies: the police admitted initially attending the wrong park and the ambulance took 14 minutes to travel a distance of a mile in reaching the scene.
While relating the horrific nature of the attack, Smyth also focuses on the good to rise from evil- a town rallying in support of a stricken family, a mother showing incredibly dignity and, most important of all, a campaign launched to inform the world of the grave dangers of intolerance. As one banner carried at a parade in memory of Sophie proclaimed: 'Hate is easy- love takes courage.'
THE REALITY:
I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed by this one, as it didn't tell me much more than I knew already. Yes, it was good to read about the court procedures from an insider's perspective and see the emergency calls listed, and it was good to learn about the fundraising events following Sophie's death, for the S.O.P.H.I.E. charity. Incidentally, I'm someone who has always been a tad alternative (although, like Sophie and Robert, goth was a name other people labelled me with) and have been to Whitby Goth Weekend (fantastic!) I also have had some negative comments regarding my style of dress thrown my way over the years, so I can certainly relate to that aspect. Whilst I do believe that being assaulted for dressing “differently” should be regarded as a hate crime, as certain styles can make people stand out (and really, we can all wear what we bloody well want!), I agree with Robert Maltby in that the main reason he and Sophie were set upon was because the chav scum doing it were arseholes. The author did mention that jealousy of the attention Rob and Sophie were getting was probably a trigger, and I get where she's coming from. If you look at the five perpetrators, they are identically dressed; cookie cutter fashion- representing those who follow the crowd, and who haven't got the imagination, intellect or courage to look and behave differently. Yes, I can understand why idiots like that would be jealous and insecure when faced with those living their best lives, but to take it as far as they did is truly horrific and evil.
I think that because this book was written by an “insider” it came across as a bit one-dimensional; I suppose in the same way that an autobiography would when compared to a biography. I can understand that, but we really needed more depth and a better-rounded approach. Why were Sophie and Robert's lives not discussed in more detail? This book didn't even note Robert's date of birth, for instance. What did they get up to on a day-to-day basis? We know Robert was a student but did he work as well? We know Sophie was on a gap year but what did she do? Work? Travel? Tell us about their families and how they met. Was it love at first sight? A developing friendship? So much that should have been explored was missed. I don't know Bacup, so provide me with a map, detailing their route that night and who they picked up along the way- let us know when it's believed that they encountered their killers. Maybe add some photos as well, such as the outside of their town centre flat; the garage they visited; the mentioned Fudge Factory area, etc. Show me a plan of the skate park, and plot where the emergency services found them in relationship to the benches/ skating areas, and point out the entrance(s). Give me some (at the risk of sounding ghoulish) crime scene photos, and photographic evidence of the perpetrators' clothing. Tell me exactly what injuries Sophie and Robert had and finally, I know the publishers were trying to keep costs down, but show me some colour photos.
I flattened this book in days and was intending for this to be a bookcase stayer, but it's been relegated to the charity shop bag. As a final note, Sophie's mum's friend, Kate Conboy-Greenwood comes across as very unlikeable in this book- did the author have personal beef with her? An okay read, but it could have been so much better.
A SISTER'S SHAME
by
CAROL RIVERS
THE BLURB:
They'd give up everything to dance on stage, but could they lose each other?
London's East End, 1934. Eighteen-year-old twins Marie and Vesta Haskins work at the local shoe factory but they've never given up on their dream of treading the boards in the West End. When a brand new club opens its doors, the girls audition and are over the moon to land two nights a week with their cabaret act. But little do they realise that the villainous Scoresby brothers are using the club as a front for a very different line of business.
Seeing what is going on behind the smoke and lights of the stage, sensible Marie vows to leave the club before it's too late. But headstrong Vesta has fallen for the handsome right-hand man, Teddy, and unwillingly leads her whole family into the Scoresby's clutches.
Will Marie be able to save her family from disaster? Or will Vesta's determination to become a star tear the Haskins apart?
THE REALITY:
This is one book that took a long while to read- not because it was bad, you understand, but because circumstances prevented me from getting past the first 80 or so pages. But once I picked it up again, I flattened it in days.
This book was character-led, and it was those with a more unusual past; such as previous pub landlady Elsie, and circus showman/ escapologist Wippet and his delightful performing monkey, Kaiser, who seemed to steal the show here. In fact, the latter two played a key role in the downfall of the (spoiler alert!) despicable Scoresby brothers, and we have them to thank for the happy ending.
The East End of London and working class people's habits and customs of the time were brought to life, and I'm glad that some modern day elements of the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich (namely the Greenwich Foot Tunnel) featured as it gave me a base to relate to. Unfortunately, the loving and forgiving nature of the Haskins family towards their errant daughter was not something I could relate to, as over 50 years on my parents were in no way so understanding; although my troubles were nothing like Vesta's. We modern girls have to be very thankful that time has moved on, and that we have the contraceptive pill and legal abortion on offer. Sadly, men like Teddy still exist everywhere. We also all know that the entertainment industry is very tough, and I'm sure the casting couch still exists.
This was a tale of a simple, traditional life winning over the chase towards bright lights and fame, and I really did feel sorry for Vesta and her predicament. I liked the way both girls were named after music hall stars (Vesta Tilley and Marie Lloyd) and could see how their daydreamer father's personality and ideals had impacted his married life. I also liked Marie's repeat horrible dream sequence, and how that was based on real-life circumstance that she'd stored in her subconsciousness. And, of course, I would like the way the fashions of the time were described, but that's just my personal quirk! One thing that did hit home was how simply life seemed to be in general, as to a person's wants and needs- with street parties to celebrate important national events, and a wedding in a local church with a second-hand dress and a reception held in the bride's childhood home. That's nothing like the stupid, extravagant lengths people go to nowadays to impress with their nuptials; forgetting that the relationship is the most important thing in a marriage. But, again, this book displays how there are people out there who want more form life. I can certainly relate to that, as I'm one myself, and could never have been happy with the basic job, husband and children scenario. Sometimes I really do wish I had been that person, but on the other hand I know that lifestyle wouldn't have made me happy.
A light, bright and trite, okay but not enthralling read.