Staff review - The Savage by David Almond

Blue is stricken with grief after suddenly losing his father. Battling this inner turmoil, Blue’s sadness is made worse by trying to cope with the school bully, Hopper, who won’t stop harassing him.
His teacher suggests that he try expressing his feelings through writing. What does he have to lose?

Blue immerses himself in writing and illustrating a comic book story about a ‘wild kid’, The Savage. The Savage is a killer who lives alone in the woods with no family and no language, eating people who get too close to him. Blue relates to the Savage: “He was just like me, only weirder, wilder and closer to some magic, and some darkness and some dreams”. Blue’s story about the Savage includes places, faces and desires that seem to mirror those of Blue’s own reality.

Although dark and violent, Blue’s imagination allows him to deal with his internal chaos: “Sometimes it was nearly like I was him and he was me”.

This is a cool story...inside a story, which is both dark and inspiring. Part traditional narrative and part graphic novel, ‘The Savage’ is a good read for anyone who believes in the powers and possibilities of imagination.


What now?

• Add your thoughts about in the comments below.
• Go to the catalogue and reserve it.
• Review a book yourself.