Spellbinder

Stephen Bowkett has produced an interesting first novel, basically sound on observations of adolescence and light on storyline. His touch with the complexities of relationships within the tribal customs of the early teenage years is sure and the book is worth the read for this alone. With his feel for realistic dialogue --- how often have you cringed while reading the forced attempts to interpret youngsters' conversations onto the page of a book? --- Stephen Bowkett should go places. 'Can't dance, you know that.' Yeah, and I'm about as elegant as a gibbon. Last time I kissed a girl, she accused me of assault with a deadly weapon.'