Just In Case

Why, when I didn't really like Meg Rosoff's first book, did I buy another by her? Good marketing, I guess. Anyway, this isn't much good. It's set in the UK and there's nothing British about it (e.g. the kids aren't wearing school uniforms), it's set during late high school with no reference to work - the stress of the final exams, esp in the UK, is overwhelming but there's no reference to them whatsoever - and it's just a bit silly.

David Case freaks out when his little brother nearly has an accident. He realises that death could come at any time, that fate is in control, and tries to hide from it by changing his name to the oh so subtle "Justin Case" and his clothes and image as well. He has an imaginary dog, thinks he can talk to his baby brother, thinks he hears fate. In other words, this isn't a realistic novel. He makes some friends, has sex with a girl, nearly dies a couple of times, and then hears the words of wisdom from his baby brother than just as bad things might happen, so might good. Then he recovers.

Rosoff uses the kind of writing which makes you feel even she doesn't take it particularly seriously - the kind that distances you from the story and from the characters. This is a silly book. There's a lot better stuff to read out there.