Sometimes your rating for a book depends more on how much you’re in the mood for a particular book than the book itself, and I definitely feel like that’s partly what happened here. For some reason, I was just not in the right frame of mind to read this one and that probably did have a bit of an impact on how much I enjoyed it. But don’t get me wrong – I did still like this book. I could have liked it more, is what I’m saying. Nikesh Shukla writes nuanced books with realistic characters, and always provides heartstopping moments. - Sarah Shaffi Now Keir and Sunny are facing each other in the ring over 10 rounds, each with a score to settle. The next ten rounds will see Sunny confront what brought him and Keir to this point and who he really wants to be … This is a compelling and important new read by a much-loved author. Much as I love books about London, I appreciate that Nikesh Shukla explores a different city in this book, as we don’t see enough of the rest of Britain in YA.

The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla | Hachette UK

year-old Sunil (known as Sunny) moved to Bristol from London 3 months ago with his mum and dad. His dad has a heart condition and the family moved so he could get more specialised help but his dad’s condition has worsened and now he’s in a hospice while his mum works several low-paid jobs trying to keep things together in the flat that they rent. Quiet and reserved, his only friend is Madhu (the first person he met when he started his new college and the only other non-white person who goes there) and all he wants to do is focus on his studies to get into university, like his dad wants. Ultimately there’s a lot that’s good in this book and I think that it’s worth a few hours of your time but the central theme of racism and white extremism didn’t come together for me and that is a disappointment. Like in The Boxer, racists are feeling more confident and less afraid to spew their garbage in public places.I’m not claiming to have any answers to these problems. What I am saying is that education on these topics makes a difference. Talking about these issues makes a difference. You can read reports and talk at people all day long but reading a book like The Boxer can, for a short time, put you in the head of someone who is experiencing these things at full throttle and it can change your way of thinking.

The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla | Goodreads The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla | Goodreads

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review! Boxer believes everything that Napoleon tells him. The language is simple and reflects Boxer's naivety, he is the strongest animal on the farm but does nothing when conditions get worse. To see him toiling up the slope inch by inch, his breath coming fast, the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground, and his great sides matted with sweat, filled everyone with admiration. If there’s one thing in books that really gets me sad, it’s the falling apart of friendships. Even for absolutely valid reasons like here. So, obviously, this book made me sad. Which, I guess, is testament to Nikesh Shukla’s writing and character development. I knew from the start that Keir would go down the route that he did (it’s pretty well-signposted, even with the blurb telling you), and yet I still found myself sad on Sunny’s behalf that he was losing a friend in this way, even as he built a family around himself.And it really is not a Young Adult novel, save that its lead character Sunny is an 18-year-old, gay male. His sexual preference is as insignificant to the plot as the color of his eyes, which I can't recall being mentioned. Sunny could be in love with his straight boxing mate Keir, but their affection is more likely due to the bonds of friendship in the lonely-ass, angry, working-class city of Bristol, England, currently in the throes of anti-immigrant fever. Nikesh Shukla’s contemporary YA novel is an interesting look at racism and how boxing can give a person discipline, confidence and self-respect but while it’s interesting to have a book look at white extremist radicalisation, Keir’s character and motivation is underdeveloped, as is his friendship with Sunny and I never bought into why Sunny wanted to save him, which is a shame because there’s a lot that’s good about this book and it’s worth a look. It’s not just religion or the colour of your skin that can make you a target in the UK. According to The Guardian,“Homophobic and transphobic hate crimes, including stalking, harassment and violent assault, have more than doubled in England and Wales over five years, a Guardian analysis has shown.” The Boxer is a penetrating look at the dangers of the rise in racism in post-Brexit Britain, where right-wing extremists feel validated in their fear and dislike of anyone they see as different to themselves...Shukla has an enviable ability to get under the skins of his characters, showing life through Sunny's eyes in a way that doesn't pull any punches...The Boxer is a book that may well challenge your perceptions about the sport, if - like me - it's something you've never favoured. But seeing the world, and boxing, through Sunny's eyes did make me rethink the appeal of the sport, particularly for youngsters such as Sunny. And if it's able to help teenagers and young men like him to be more comfortable and confident in their own skins, and help them to cope better with the unhealthy tide of racist abuse that seems to be sweeping through this country, then I'm happy to have my own prejudice against the sport challenged. But racial tensions are rising in the city, and when a Far Right march through Bristol turns violent, Sunny is faced with losing his new best friend to radicalisation.

The Boxer – Nikesh Shukla – Heath Books The Boxer – Nikesh Shukla – Heath Books

My main complaint with The Boxer is that it is incredibly hard to connect to the main character. Apart from boxing, you never get an insight into what his other interests are. There is a slight hint at the fact he may like comics, but they are used as more of a prop. You also never find out what he studies at college, and if you do, it isn't memorable. He has one friend to begin with, which is fine, but Madhu barley makes an appearance at the end of the book. Sunny's relationship with other characters falls flat, unfortunately. LoveReading4Kids exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading4Kids means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. Nikesh Shukla’s latest novel, The Boxer , is out now. For more information, visit https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/titles/nikesh-shukla-3/the-boxer/9781444940695/ In March of 2019 It was reported by The Independent that “Racially and religiously aggravated offences recorded by police in England and Wales reached a record high of more than 57,600 in the 12 months to September, after jumping by 7 per cent in a year.” You’ve got the raw talent. Or you’re the underdog. But do you have the heart? Do you have what it takes? Let’s see what you’re made of. The real fight starts now! Latest ChaptersArt / Westonbirt Arboretum Bristol children’s author and illustrator Duncan Beedie creates Autumn Trail at Westonbirt