Book 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. 'Alex
Wheatle's second novel is a rhythmic, fast-talking tour of the tower
blocks of South London. The strength of the novel lies in the characters
who form Biscuit's posse … writing in a street slang that reads like an
urgent urban poetry, Wheatle catches the dialogue of the friends and
contrasts it with passages of distilled description. He observes
meticulously the subcultures within the black community… It is this
blend of frantic action and thoughtful writing that ranks Alex Wheatle
alongside Courttia Newland as one of the most exciting writers of the
black urban experience.' The Times
'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 Alex Wheatle is the award wining author of
Brixton Rock which was published in 1998. He lives in South London with
his wife and three children. He is also a performance poet and MC.
