A Review of Stone Cold Book Pdf: A Novel that Explores the Issues of Homelessness and Violence
Stone Cold Book Pdf: A Thrilling and Harrowing Novel by Robert Swindells
If you are looking for a gripping and realistic novel that explores the issues of homelessness, violence and survival, you should read Stone Cold Book Pdf by Robert Swindells. This novel tells the stories of Link, a homeless teenager who flees from his abusive stepfather, and Shelter, a former soldier who kills homeless people as part of his twisted mission. The novel won the Carnegie Medal in 1993 and has been adapted into a TV series and a play. In this article, we will give you an overview of the plot, themes, characters, style and reception of Stone Cold Book Pdf.
Stone Cold Book Pdfl
The Plot of Stone Cold Book Pdf
The novel is divided into two parts. The first part follows Link's journey from his home in Bradford to London, where he becomes homeless after his mother's boyfriend Vincent kicks him out. He meets Ginger, another homeless boy who teaches him how to survive on the streets. They become friends and look out for each other. However, one day Ginger disappears without a trace. Link suspects that he has been killed by a mysterious serial killer who targets homeless people.
The second part introduces Shelter, the serial killer who calls himself a "soldier" on a mission to "clean up" the streets. He lures homeless people into his flat with offers of food, shelter and money, then kills them and preserves their bodies in his "army". He also keeps a diary where he records his thoughts and plans. He sees homeless people as "dossers" who are "scum" and "vermin". He believes that he is doing society a favor by eliminating them.
The climax of the novel occurs when Link meets Gail, a girl who claims to be homeless too. They fall in love and decide to stay together. However, Gail is actually an undercover journalist who is investigating the murders of homeless people. She has been following Shelter and has discovered his identity and address. She convinces Link to go with her to Shelter's flat, where they find the corpses of his victims, including Ginger. They are confronted by Shelter, who tries to kill them. However, they manage to escape and call the police, who arrest Shelter. The novel ends with Link and Gail being reunited and hopeful for their future.
The Themes of Stone Cold Book Pdf
The novel explores several themes that are relevant to the social and moral issues of the 1990s and today. Some of the main themes are:
Homelessness: The novel shows the causes, effects and challenges of homelessness, such as poverty, family breakdown, abuse, addiction, mental illness, discrimination, isolation, hunger, cold, danger and lack of support. It also shows the diversity and humanity of homeless people, who have different backgrounds, stories and personalities.
Violence: The novel depicts different forms and motives of violence, such as physical, verbal, psychological, domestic, institutional and criminal. It also shows the impact of violence on the victims, perpetrators and witnesses. It raises questions about the causes and prevention of violence in society.
Survival: The novel illustrates the strategies and skills that homeless people use to survive on the streets, such as begging, scavenging, sleeping in doorways or hostels, finding friends or allies, avoiding trouble and staying alert. It also shows the resilience and courage of homeless people who face adversity and danger every day.
Justice: The novel examines the role of the police, the media and the public in dealing with homelessness and crime. It shows how homeless people are often ignored, stereotyped or blamed by the authorities and the society. It also shows how some people try to help or expose the injustice, such as Gail, who uses her journalism skills to investigate and reveal Shelter's crimes.
The Characters of Stone Cold Book Pdf
The novel features four main characters who represent different perspectives and experiences of homelessness and violence. They are:
Link: He is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is 17 years old and comes from Bradford. He is intelligent, sensitive and honest. He becomes homeless after his stepfather Vincent abuses him and his mother does not defend him. He moves to London where he meets Ginger and Gail. He faces many hardships and dangers on the streets. He falls in love with Gail and escapes from Shelter with her.
Ginger: He is Link's friend and mentor on the streets. He is older than Link and comes from Liverpool. He is streetwise, cheerful and loyal. He teaches Link how to survive on the streets. He disappears after being killed by Shelter.
Gail: She is Link's love interest and ally in the novel. She is 19 years old and comes from London. She is smart, brave and compassionate. She pretends to be homeless to investigate the murders of homeless people for a newspaper article. She follows Shelter and discovers his identity and address. She falls in love with Link and helps him escape from Shelter.
Shelter: He is the antagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a former soldier who was discharged from the army for being mentally unstable. He lives in a flat in London where he kills homeless people and keeps their bodies in his "army". He is psychotic, sadistic and delusional. He believes that he is on a mission to "clean up" the streets from "dossers". He tries to kill Link and Gail but is arrested by the police.
The Style of Stone Cold Book Pdf
The novel uses a distinctive style that enhances its realism and contrast. Some of the features of its style are:
The dual narrative: The novel alternates between Link's and Shelter's perspectives in each chapter. This creates a contrast between their voices, views and experiences. It also creates suspense as the reader knows more than each character about what is happening.
The language: The novel uses slang, dialect and imagery to create realism and contrast. Link's language is informal, colloquial and expressive. He uses words like "dossers", "nosh" and "skint". Shelter's language is formal, precise and cold. He uses words like "mission", "operation" and "eliminate". The novel also uses metaphors and similes to describe the characters' feelings and situations.
's tone is sinister, arrogant and detached. He writes in a diary format as "Daily Routine Orders". He makes sarcastic or cruel remarks about his victims. He also reveals his madness and obsession about his mission.
The Reception of Stone Cold Book Pdf
The novel received a lot of praise and recognition from critics and readers. Some of the aspects of its reception are:
The awards: The novel won the Carnegie Medal in 1993, which is a prestigious award for children's literature in the UK. It also won the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the Angus Book Award in the same year.
The reviews: The novel received positive feedback from critics and readers. It was praised for its realism, suspense, social relevance and moral message. It was also commended for its portrayal of homelessness and violence without being sensationalist or preachy.
The adaptations: The novel was adapted into a TV series in 1997 by BBC. It starred Paul Gibbon as Link, Kate Winslet as Gail and Robert Carlyle as Shelter. It was well-received by the audience and critics. It was also adapted into a play in 2006 by Joe Standerline. It toured around the UK and was performed by various schools and theatres.
Conclusion: Why You Should Read Stone Cold Book Pdf
In conclusion, Stone Cold Book Pdf is a thrilling and harrowing novel that explores the issues of homelessness, violence and survival. It tells the stories of Link, a homeless teenager who flees from his abusive stepfather, and Shelter, a former soldier who kills homeless people as part of his twisted mission. The novel uses a dual narrative, a realistic language and a suspenseful tone to create contrast and empathy. The novel won several awards and was adapted into a TV series and a play. It is a novel that will make you think, feel and act.
If you are interested in reading Stone Cold Book Pdf, you can download it for free from the Internet Archive or Scribd. You can also buy it from Google Books or other online stores. You will not regret reading this novel, as it will open your eyes to the harsh realities and challenges of homelessness and violence. It will also inspire you to help or support those who are less fortunate than you.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Stone Cold Book Pdf:
What is the genre of Stone Cold Book Pdf?
Stone Cold Book Pdf is a thriller novel that combines elements of crime, horror and social realism.
Who is the target audience of Stone Cold Book Pdf?
Stone Cold Book Pdf is aimed at young adults aged 12 and above. However, it can also be enjoyed by older readers who are interested in social issues and moral dilemmas.
What is the message of Stone Cold Book Pdf?
Stone Cold Book Pdf has several messages that relate to its themes. Some of them are: homelessness is a serious problem that needs more attention and action; violence is never justified and can have devastating consequences; survival is not only about physical needs but also about emotional and moral ones; justice is not always easy or fair but it is necessary; empathy and compassion are important values that can make a difference.
What are some similar books to Stone Cold Book Pdf?
Some similar books to Stone Cold Book Pdf are: Junk by Melvin Burgess, which deals with drug addiction and homelessness among teenagers; The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, which features a rebellious and alienated protagonist who runs away from home; American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, which portrays a serial killer who targets homeless people; The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which depicts a father and son's journey in a post-apocalyptic world where survival is difficult.
What are some tips for writing an article like this one?
Some tips for writing an article like this one are: do your research on the topic and use reliable sources; create an outline of the article before writing it; use headings and subheadings to organize your information; use markdown elements to format your text; use clear and concise language that suits your audience; use facts, examples and quotes to support your points; use transitions to connect your paragraphs; end with a summary and a recommendation; proofread and edit your article.
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