CHallenging stereotypes (Hearts and Minds - Amanda Craig)

Member Name: honey000

Product:	Hearts and Minds - Amanda Craig
Date:	24/08/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Thought provoking, relevant

Disadvantages: Very political views!

Having picked this up for 50p in a charity shop as I liked the cover was interested to know what this book would be about.

Set in the current time in London the story focusses on the underworld of illegal immigrants as 5 interlinking stories meet.

Characters
Polly - a human rights lawyer who spends all of her time working with immigrants before they are deported. Despite this she employs a nanny who is not in the country legally which seemed to me to be a real contradiction in terms. The character of Polly, whilst seeming at time like a bleeding heart liberal develops throughout the novel as she is forced to see both the good and bad side of illegal immigration.

Job - A Zimbabwean illegal immigrant who works as a taxi driver and car washer. A character that I found it very hard to dislike - you are given strong insight to his character and the reason that he is over in the UK. Amanda Craig uses this character to challenge lots of the common perceptions that people may have about why foreigners come over to the UK. A strong character who emphasised the point that not all illegals want benefits and a free ride in the UK, or even want to stay here!

Katie - A US journalist working in London to escape a broken heart. She is extremely isolated within the UK and it is interesting to see her point of view as it develops!

Anna - a 15 year old Lithuanian girl duped into being trafficed into the UK to work in a brothel. Again, challenges the popular view of many of the tabloids that people want to come over to the UK for a free ride and no work. The story again doesnt hide any of the gruesome details involved in people smuggling and prostitution and again you are forced to feel sympathy for her, but also admiration!

Daniel - A white south african teacher working in an inner london school where few of the pupils speak English. Again, as a legal immigrant a different view on the world.

Plot
No spoilers I promise but the novel begins with the finding of a girls body on Hampstead Heath. Somehow there are links to each of the main characters and as the plot unravels the mystery is slowly sold.

Style
The story is told in the third person with chapters alternating between each of the main characters. Craig has a wonderful talent for drawing the reader in and making them really care about what happens to her characters. She has a style which is very easy to read, and allows you to read without trying but to focus on the large issues that she wants you to focus on!

Issues
A spectrum of issues including murder, prostitution, prejudice, racism, terrorism. I found myself examining prejudices that I didn't know that I had and thinking again whether I truly believed them or not.

I don't agree with all of Craig's issues - her view does appear to be that the UK is an island which ought to be making room for all that want to come here, without really offering any practical solutions!

She does strongly refute the view that the UK is the benefit capital of the world and that is the only reason people want to come here!

Overall
A read which manages to have a good murder mystery plot - a classic "whodunnit" with huge moral issues being brought up throughout. On top of this the relationship between each of the characters is allowed to grow, and seem very real.

A book that will make you think!

Summary: Read to be challenged!