Product Description

East of Acre Lane is the fast-paced and razor sharp story of a young man trying to do the right thing and establishes Alex Wheatle as the exciting new voice of the urban experience. When 'East of Acre Lane' was first published in 2001, Alex Wheatle instantly became one of the key commentators on contemporary black culture and was featured in BBC news, radio, numerous papers and Channel 4. The BBC have already optioned 'East of Acre Lane' to be made into a film. Set in 1981, the year of the Brixton riots, the novel is a gripping thriller in a society on the edge of explosion. Wheatle focusses on Biscuit and his posse as a way to introduce the whole community. Biscuit lives with his mother, brother and sister. He helps out by hustling on the frontline for the south London badman, Nunchaks. He doesn't want to be doing this for the rest of his life but it's difficult to get out of the trap. As the patience of the community breaks and the riots begin to erupt, Biscuit has to make a choice that could change his life forever.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199970 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 309 pages

Review
'Dubbed the Brixton Bard by his contemporaries, Alex Wheatle was always ambitious! He is first and foremost a story teller.' The Voice 'This is a vibrant book pulsing with the reggae beats of the era. The dialogue! has rhythm and inventiveness. And the violent climax is a cathartic one, the logical and positive first stage of a revolution' ***** Independent on Sunday 'Wheatle's novel is a bright, adventurous tale, jammed to the rafters with a parade of fine hustlers, headcases and herbsmen.' The Latest 'In East of Acre Lane Alex Wheatle has managed far more than simply pulling off a fast, punchy morlaity tale centring on a young man's dilemma about going straight or opting for a life of crime! Action packed, funny and filled with cocky banter between its teenage male characters, references to reggae music and street stye, its a cool, credible read! Wheatle has written a hardhitting novel which is an incendiary reminder of one of the most explosive events in London's post war history.' Big Issue

THE TIMES
'A rhythmic, fast talking tour of the tower blocks of South London. . . urgent urban poetry.'

BIG ISSUE
'...a hard hitting novel... an incendiary reminder of one of the most explosive events in London's post war history.'

Customer Reviews

Big Up Alex!!
Great book set in early 80's Brixton, London, (Acre Lane is a street in Brixton) when there was great unrest amongst the youths, which resulted in the Brixton Riots.
It is so familiar in the sense that Wheatle refers to every detail of that time, including what song was playing in the background, to what clubs the characters frequented, dropping actual street names, to the latest fashion of the time.
I highly recommend this book, especially to Black Londoners who are between 35 - 45, as they would relate to it so well, but to everyone else, please don't pass this one over! A good mix of humour and issues of the day.

Sex, Drugs and Reggae
Set in the badlands of South London, Al's second book is well worth a read with some great characters. A group of young Brixtonian's try to make ends meet in difficult times against the backdrop of the Brixton riots. Violence runs throughout and there are two vastly contrasting sex scenes one violent and obscene the other touching and sensitive. At the core is a story of triumph over adversity.

Great read
I read this book about a year and a half ago...it was awesome, similar vibe to 'The Scholar' and 'Society Within', this reminiscent book takes us on a journey of life on East Acre Lane. I was only 18 when i read this and i recommend it to all young people.
Another great book, proving Black British fiction is continuing to up the standards!