Like A Brother
Owais seems to epitomise London swagger, whether navigating his extended family, school, or the gangs in his neighbourhood. Committed to his comedic persona, the patter of groan-inducing puns conceals an unfocused, uncertain yet charming teenager, struggling with self-doubt and fear of the future. Failing grades lands Owais in a summer programme and life is further complicated by the disruptive arrival of his moody and troubled cousin Abass into the midst of his stable and loving family.
Lessore’s latest young teen novel demonstrates yet again his particular proficiency in writing flawed but endearing young male protagonists who are growing in emotional intelligence, self-awareness and maturity. His notable skill in buffering the wholesome ‘moral of the story’ with plenty of banter, jokes and heartfelt moments is well-judged for his intended readership. Like a Brother deals with familial dysfunction, neglect, and gang culture without overwhelming the intended early adolescent reader. An important subtheme recognizing the hurts and harms suffered by LGBTQ+ youth is deftly woven through the novel, exposing the learned nature of bigotry and celebrating the power of allyship as a counterforce promoting respect and tolerance.
This is a hopeful book, aimed at an often-overlooked younger teen readership. There is a tendency to veer into caricature occasionally and some characters and plotlines could be further developed in the narrative. However, the strong female characters, realistic teen voices and authentic portrayals of adolescent emotional vulnerability are highly praiseworthy. Fans of Lessore’s previous novels will find themselves on familiar and satisfying ground.
