A Kestrel For A Knave
This describes Billy Casper’s life with close reference to his future, house, school, future and his hawk. How does the writer make us feel sympathy for him?
Billy Casper is the main character in the novel A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines. Billy is about 13 or 14. The place where the book is set and where Billy lives is Barnsley(this is in south Yorkshire) was a large mining town. Now a days there is no coal mining industry in Barnsley. The book is set in the 1960s.Billy and his family live in a council estate. Billy’s relation ship with his mother and brother is not very good. His father has left home his mother and doesn’t really love him for example she wants him to go and get him cigarettes even if he would be late for school, When he refuses she gets violent We are never told what job she has but I think that she would proberly be a cleaner or a secutary. Billy’s brother is called Jud. He isn’t a very pleasant person and he bullies Billy and has no respect for his mother. He works down the mines. Jud often gets drunk and Billy has to un dress him. When Billy is doing this he gets annoyed and starts hitting Jud chanting “Hog sow drunken bastard” then hits him really hard and has to run away so Jud doesn’t hit him. Billy finds his kestrel in monastery farm. Monastery farm is a ruined old farmhouse. In the night he climbs up the wall and takes the baby kestrel.
Billy goes to the local secondary modern school. He is in set 4c because of this the teachers are not sympathetic and they “talk to us like muck and looking at their watches to see how long it is to t”end o’ t’lesson.’ Mr Gryce is the head teacher who rules the school with the cane. This is shown when he canes 6 people after assembly. One of which only came to deliver a message. The games teacher is a foot ball obsessive person who hates to lose. This is shown by how he traps Billy in the shower and freezes him all because Billy lets in a goal. Mr Farthing is different from the rest of the teachers he is kinder, more patient and understanding. He also bolsters Billys self confidence into talking about his kestrel.
Billy’s future is a bleak one. He has no opportunity to do further education. Also he doesn’t want to go down the mines. He has a way with animals so he could get a job doing something like that. The only thing in Billy’s life is kes but Jud kills kes because Billy spent his money so Jud went after him. He couldn’t find Billy so he kills kes instead.
The writer tries to make us fell sympathetic by making us feel as if we should feel guilty about our life style when he is telling us about his tall story. Also he makes it so that Billy is picked on and pushed down which makes you feel sorry for him. The way Billy and kes build up their relationship. But when Billy spends the money instead of putting in on the bet. That leads up to Jud killing kes because he couldn’t find him. This makes us feel sad especially when he finds kes in the bin
Liked it
I just
Could
how did billy’s social class influenced his personal growth
The book is alright but the best part I love is on page 150.
You were right ShattaJessie page 150 is the best page.
di ras book boreing
this book is boring
who in their right mind would write a book like this?
Page 150 Is most definately, one of the best, no the best, one of. ireather the one where he tells the kid on the tric what Kes eats. :0
this book is an interesting one…..th main character in this book is not an all time goody too shoes as in other novels billy has his faults and mistakes and that’s the main thing we can relate to…….his family instead of uplifting him…..pushes him down and everyone else in his society believes he’ll amount to ntn….Billy believed this also of himself in the earlier part of the text until he meets Kes who gives him hope and something to look forward to…..someone who cares about his well being (apart from mr. Farthing of course).
well my comments on the book are tht:
a)it is complicated in a sense when u’re tryin to interpret the literature symbols in the book (really hard)
b)it is kinda boring because it is too hard to understand and too complicated
the book boring it makes me sleep
this book is boring because we learn that Billy Casper is gay.
At First i thought the book would of been boring but now i notice its not boring at all so far ………..I love this book but i dont not like what billy has to go through ….thinkin of it dats difficult for a young child to go through
you all are crazy…… this is such an emotional book and has so much amazing details… you all are most definitely NOT literature students… you all don’t know which is a good book from a bad one…. instead of reading nonsense, actually read the book in detail like a real person and you will see… its good!!!
YOU ARE RIGHT SAM. THE BOOK IS NOT AT ALL BORING. IT IS VERY SYMPATHETIC AND I DO AGREE WITH YOU THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT LITERATURE STUDENTS.DEM FOOL. ARE YOU GUYS FROM ANOTHER PLANET OR SOMETHING. YOU SHOULD KNOW A GOOD BOOK WHEN YOU SEE ONE!!!!!!!!!
HI SHEDEKA . YOU MDO AGREE WITH ME ABOUT THE BOOK? IT IS FABULOUS
TAKE THE M OFF DO
billy’s mother was a prostitute not a cleaner because she had men at home…
i started to red it and it was boring as hell but my literature teacher made it alot more exiting
hi i am tom and i am a gay boy i love havin sex with carl mcgovern xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
i was jokin
this is a fantastic book xxxx
it interesting but at the same time quiet drool
I have read this book,kestrel for a knave, and although the book may be considered by some to be boring or slow in establishing its plot, it is still well written. The author Barry Hines takes his time in establishing the story, by giving details concerning certain aspects of the book.
The book tells the story of a boy name Billy in his struggle through every day life. He is deprived of certain basic neccessities. His life is full of hardship and struggle. He lives with an abusive brother name Jud, and a mother who seems not to care about his well-being. He is sometimes forced to steal(as he did during the story) in an attempt to get food. Billy is bombarded by negativity in all aspects of his life, even during school. Through all this Billy finds comfort within his kestrel. Billy’s social life is limited and his kestrel is what keeps him busy, “from realising the faults of his life.”
One specific teacher plays an important role in Billy’s life, and that is Mr. Farthing. Mr. Farthing takes an interest in Billy and his hawk. As a dedicated teacher, Mr. Farthing gets Billy involved during his class, by giving him the opportunity to share his experiences with his kestrel.
The story comes to a abropt and hopeless end when Billy’s pride and joy(his kestrel) is killed by his brother Jud.(who during the story plays the role of an abusive and villin-like brother.
Its a great book,interesting story but still dont agree to the fact that billy’s mother neglected him.
Those of u that say that kestrel for a knave is boring, have no life. You think you are too cool the book is amazing, and i would right something like this if i could. I think in no ways is the book boring. You may think that i am a neek and need to get a life, but im the one with a life. This is possibly one of the best books i have ever read and i have now read it 4 times and in the middle of it for the fifth time. And for the mohammed boy of course his mum neglected him she hated him never gave him anything, didnt care where he was, if you remeber she said that she didnt know what he was going to do and that he was a waste of space. THE BOOK IS AMAZING I RECOMMEND EVERYONE GIVE IT A GO!!!
it is interesting
hi hi hi hi hi hi hi yolande
thats not funny
yes it is shan ho
hey Hoe lande
hry hoe shannon how is lit class
its relli borin…doin this makes it more interesting
lol iwonda wat ppl will say wen they see dis
Sniff Sniff….This book is sad in the end…I wanted it to be happily ever ending
Scratch that> it affects real life ..there is no such thing as “Happily ever After” in real life…Sniff Sniff…
Shannon is sooo lame…It takes a real shotter to enjoy lit and still be like me!!!
this book shows individuals a part of life which they never knew existed and the hardship of it and it seeks to bring out the emotional side of the reader because to the strongest person this book could pull at their heart.not the usual happy ending is it?
I’m doing this book for acxc literature exams and this book is really good
LOL at Jesus!!!!hahaha
this book dah ras . i dont why i waste my time reading this . i have to do a book report on it .
i am a student at bishop martin high school, belize and i think the book is exciting. take that…….
i want to see a picture of billy of billy and macdowall fighting and also a comictrip of the most interesting and dramtic part of the book dialogue should should be included
billy’s mother is a prostitute..proof the many ”uncles” she brings in to sleep with her
Everybody know seh she a prostitute!
I am amazed by the quality of writing showcased by this review and most of its comments. Does this site have any standards?
quite an excellent book, very sad and depressing however. i wish it had a happy ending.
well it’s not that bad at the begining yea, but wen u get in the middle u actualy start to enjoy it
.if i were billt i would do something realy grusum to jud for what he did to kes
yes she is a prostitute of course what else could she be a mother .lol
isnt billy’s mother a prostitute
Well yeah she is a prostitute
WHAT IS MR FARTHING’S RESPONSE TO SEEING BILLY FLY KES?
Billy’s 15, not 13 or 14, when they’re playing soccer Mr Sugden says something like “God help us; fifteen years old and still doesn’t know the positions of a football team.”
This is a really bad response/mini essay thing, why bother putting it here if it’s bot good? Laaaaaaaaaammmeee
i really like this book….but was expecting a rather happy ending………..however this book forces me everytime i read it to appreciate the life i have and to appreciate most of the ppl i have around me………..
The book was boring at first but when u get to understand the story its KOOLASTICLY KOOL lol!!!!!!!!!!!
hi xonnel!!!!!!if u neva seh something lik that anyways the book is good.a get a essay to write on it about the nature and how love affects family relationships can anybody help me just write what u think and i will check the website tmrw.thanx alot!!!!!!!!!!!
this book is so much fun i enjoy reading it.it is lively
especiallly wen bill was sleepin in school assembly
This novel is indeed slow and boring to start. However, once you really decide to see what is embedded between the lines, you will quickly realise that some powerful statements are being made about life, you and me (as imperfect beings) and how we try to transcend our situations no matter how difficult they may appear. How we struggle through our personal obstacles are a testament to our survival. If Billy had defied the expected and instead used his experience with Kes to propel himself out of the dreadful situation he is left in, maybe his outcome would be brighter than we are left to believe. How can we begin to change the negatives in our lives into positives? That is the question that has been left with me after reading this book. So, this book is really not bring, rather it is mooving to those who have the insight to see between the lines.
hi my name is bryan marin am gay n i loved the book
…..i wud hav love if billy made love 2 the kestrel after he d kes was dead
my name is bibi nunez (fat cow) ………. i wud have luv if instead of a kestrel it wit hav been a cow cz cows r so cute n luk so much lik me
………..GO COWS!!!!!!!!!!!!! MOOOOOOOOOOOOHH!!
HAHAHA I HAFTU LAF BOUT U RAMSES LOL! D BOOK MEH FLAP AND BOGUS CA EVRYBODY NO GIV BOU BILLY!lol!:)
i am doing this book 4 cxc an idk 1 ass in this book yet
this book is the best anyone who dont agree is stupid.and i may say that over and over again.
Its really amazing how a young boy try’s to appreciate birds and able train a most stranges birds.
bryan marin u sick!!!!
I love the story line of the novel but I find the book itself rather boring, I think it’s just the writer’s style of writing that i don’t like. And no, i don’t think Mrs. Casper’s occupation was stated but I get the impression she sleeps with men for money other than that i don’t think she really has a job. She goes out late and night with different men and Jud is the one who is the “sole provider” he SHOULD be the father figure but he really doesn’t do anything. As for Billy’s father well…its obvious he’s not around and doesn’t care.
I do feel sorry for Billy though i would hate to live in that type of environment.
But yea di book is KINDA boring some parts are interesting though
oh and for those of you who were saying ppl who don’t like di book are stupid, something is wrong with YOU we all have the right to our opinions ppl! I’m a lit student and I don’t like di book dat much. it surprises me how ppl can be so stupid and immature -_-
And Billy wasn’t gay :S even if he is…dat has nothing to do with di quality of di book.
Shut up You Stupid People THIS BOOK STINKS !!!! We all hate it!! BORING !!!! I wish it burns or something i don’t even think any of you understand it because if they do they won’t think it is nice !!! We spit on anyone who likes this book !