Product Description

Martha is twelve - and very different from other kids, because of her parents. Strict members of a religious group - the Brethren - their rules dominate Martha's life. And one rule is the most important of all: she must never ever invite anyone home. If she does, their shameful secret - Abomination - could be revealed. But as Martha makes her first real friend in Scott, a new boy at school, she begins to wonder. Is she doing the right thing by helping to keep Abomination a secret? And just how far will her parents go to prevent the truth from being known?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #109260 in Books
• Published on: 1999-06-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 206 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Martha, the youngest daughter of fanatically religious parents, is all too aware that her family is unusual. Taunted and bullied at school, and lonely at home with only postcards from her elder sister to keep her sane, Martha knows there has to be some other way of living. But it is only when she is befriended by the new boy, Scott, that she decides to reveal the terrible secret that has so far kept her in emotional chains.

Carnegie Award-winning author Robert Swindells cleverly draws the reader into Martha's lonely, nightmarish, yet somehow disturbingly and inexplicably comfortable, world by using his mastery of character and mood to create a sense of overpowering tension that is often horrifying but ultimately incredibly sad. Abomination is certainly not a book for the faint- hearted, but lovers of page-turningly gripping suspense coupled with compassionate and forceful storytelling will find it utterly irresistible. --Susan Harrison

From the Publisher
A powerful and shocking new chiller from a master storyteller

From the Back Cover
Martha is twelve, and very different from other kids. No TV. No computer. No cool clothes. Especially, no friends.

It's all because of her parents. Strict members of a religious group, their rules dominate Martha's life. But one rule is the most important of all: Martha must never ever invite anyone home. If she does, their terrible secret - Abomination - could be revealed. . .

'A taut and thrilling novel from a master of the unpredictable' Daily Telegraph

Shortlisted for the Children's Book Award and the Whitbread Children's Book Award.

Winner of the Stockport and the Sheffield Children's Book Awards.

Cover: Tracey and Jerry Paris

Customer Reviews

enjoyable and inteteresting
I think abomination is a very interesting read.It shows life situations such as child snatching and beliefs.Martha and her family belong to a group called the Righteous and Martha has a dark secret but when she meets an amazing boy named Scott she expresses her secret to him.Suprisingly her parents find out and she is being forced to move but can Scott save her by getting in touch with Martha's long lost sister,Mary through the internet.Each chapter starts with both characters talking about the previous day and how they communicate with one another although both come from different backgrounds.I found it exciting wondering what would happen next.I would thoroughly recommend it to other keen readers!

It is fab
Hi I read this book as a class reader and thought it would be wierd at first but it was excellent. It is about how sisters get in touch on the internet through wierd circumstances. It is about a girl called Martha who belongs to a religous group and cannot wear normal clothes or go out like normal kids. Martha makes one friend at school called Scott who helps her through her problems and makes her feel better. I thought he was very nice as he helped Martha contact her sister through the internet. Scott was a true friend and Martha gained more confidence from this friendship and was able to see her sister. There is a secret about her and her family in the book but you must read it to find out. I learnt a lot from talking about it in class and reading it again. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a good book.

abomination: A TOTAL THRILLER!
“Abomination is a thriller. It races towards an ultimate cliff hanger”
It is a very touching book that moves you as you read it. It does have some funny closed doors. It does show how a young girls life is controlled by her parent’s religion and emphasises what goes on in her life. It’s nicely written as diary entries of two totally different people and their feelings about life and each other. It shows that all isn’t what it seems to be as a 12-year-old girl lives two lives- hell: inside her house with her parents and heaven: outside with Scott. It does show different things that children experience; e.g.: bullying; neglect and growing up. It explores love between 2 12-year-olds and what it is that they feel for each other.
It is a great book to read and once you start, you can’t stop. IT’S REALLY THAT GRIPPING! I loved it, and recommend to anybody that wants a GOOD READ.
It’s not gruesome, sexist or scary. It’s just a book that shows how other people live.

I’m 13 years old and I loved the book. No matter how old or how young you are, it’s still a thriller.