Book description
Smashed tackles gritty teenage issues such as alcohol, physical and
sexual abuse, and anger. But author Mandy Hager delivers it with a sense
of humour and great sensitivity. It is a thoughtful, pacy read à Â- one
that is hard to put down. Smashed tells the story of three teenage
friends, and how their friendship, loyalties and values are thrown into
confusion when the main characterà  s younger sister is raped by one of
his best friends. His reaction sets in motion a à  ripple effectà  ,
which culminates in a violent act of revenge upon the rapist. Has our
hero done this? As he finds himself deep in trouble and confused about
the truth, he is forced to the vital question: are we really just
puppets controlled by our genes, or do we have the free will to rewrite
our own destiny? Ità  s a cautionary tale of growing up à Â- of the
huge and complex challenges todayà  s young people face in their lives.
Told with humour and compassion it is also, ultimately, a story of
courage, love and redemption. Mandy Hager is a Wellington author and
educator. She won the Esther Glen Award for Fiction for her novel
Smashed and Best Young Adult Book in the NZ Post Book Awards 2010 for
The Crossing.
