An Interesting Idea, Ruthlessly Murdered - Guantanamo Boy, A Book Review

Guantanamo Bay, an American prison in (surprise, surprise) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has long been a rallying point for those who may accuse the American government of being racist. However, in this book, it is seen from a new perspective: that of a teenager living on the inside.


The book with the cover that I read it in.

Although a provocative read, 'Guantanamo Boy' is a rather flat and lifeless book. There are few real plot twists throughout its many pages, and its characters are to the mind what cardboard is to the mouth: dry and tasteless.

The story is alright for the first fifty pages or so, but after that it becomes a monotonous rerun as our 'hero', for want of a better word, finds himself trapped in Gauntanamo. There are but one or two really surprising moments, and those were highly unlikely - for example, when he realises that his cousin is living on the other side of the wire mesh wall that separates prisoners. The liklihood of such a thing occuring is very small. Unfortunately the actual consequence of this supposedly life-changing scenario is met with an idiotic level of apathy from the character.


The climax isn't much better than the rest of it. After a rather predictable 'twist', nothing much happens. Everything winds down, if that were possible. In the end you're left with an empty spot in your head where a little man stands shouting: "Well, what was that all about?"


In short, a dull and boring book. Depressing and remote. There may be nothing to compare it to, but that's a good thing - nothing else could be this bland. Maybe there was an interesting idea there at some point, but it was long ago ruthlessly murdered.


This is Professor Pisces saying: Read this book only if you like cardboard. But if you still love life, stay away from it. Far, far away.

Rating: 3/10

This review was taken from Penguin Book's 'Spinebreakers' website, where the author goes by a slightly different name. To view the original review, click here. For more information on Spinebreakers and how to become one, click here.