The gentlemen of the title are rough boys with difficult home lives. “They call us hard cases , and we are” sums up Micheal the narrator . He is cynical about their dull town, unexceptional school and lacklustre prospects. The writer presents a very credible picture of young men sinking to meet the low expectations that society holds for them.
Most people at school are scared of them, particularly of Tommy, who is prone to violent outbursts, and suddenly disappears. Through a series of painful misunderstandings the boys suspect Mr Haberman, their English teacher, of Tommy’s murder. In the end, long after he really needed to, Micheal appreciated that Mr Haberman tried to draw out the best in his students ”He was showing me some respect, and I just wasn’t used to seeing any”
The narrator addresses the reader in a very engaging and intimate style, taking the reader into his confidence and revealing all his fears and confusion,sometimes with dark humour. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the book as the reader is given a deep insight into the thoughts of the main character.
The story reaches a very tense and brutal climax, to which Micheal is mainly an observer; he has ample opportunity to reflect and regret this later.
I highly recommend this to Yr 9-12 readers
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