The Boxer

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The Boxer, while it is a about a novice boxer, could have more accurately been titled The Anti-Racist. Also testament to the character development is that I felt genuinely nervous for Sunny at certain points in the book. (To be fair, at least one of those was because he was doing a stupid thing, even if it was for someone he thought could still be a friend.) Which meant, at times, I was reluctant to read it almost, because I didn’t want to have my heart broken like that. To see him toiling up the slope inch by inch, his breath coming fast, the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground, and his great sides matted with sweat, filled everyone with admiration. It’s where he also befriends Keir, rising star at the gym, and Sunny’s mentor. As the two become closer, Sunny is confronted with the escalating racism in Keir’s family, as it destroys their bond.

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This is a compelling and important new read by a much-loved author. Much as I love books about London, I appreciate that Nikesh Shukla explores a different city in this book, as we don’t see enough of the rest of Britain in YA. And it really is not a Young Adult novel, save that its lead character Sunny is an 18-year-old, gay male. His sexual preference is as insignificant to the plot as the color of his eyes, which I can't recall being mentioned. Sunny could be in love with his straight boxing mate Keir, but their affection is more likely due to the bonds of friendship in the lonely-ass, angry, working-class city of Bristol, England, currently in the throes of anti-immigrant fever. Now Keir and Sunny are facing each other in the ring over 10 rounds, each with a score to settle. The next ten rounds will see Sunny confront what brought him and Keir to this point and who he really wants to be … Featuring friendship dynamics, family relationships, racial slurs, far-right radicalisation, and the power to fight for what you feel is right and what truly matters in life, this YA story set over ten rounds of boxing is an interesting, powerful and motivational read for all ages. Although there is some violence and racial abuse, everything is handled with diplomacy but still manages to convey the genuine feelings of teenagers living in an ethnic society and how relationships suffer due to peer pressure and attitudes.It’s not just religion or the colour of your skin that can make you a target in the UK. According to The Guardian,“Homophobic and transphobic hate crimes, including stalking, harassment and violent assault, have more than doubled in England and Wales over five years, a Guardian analysis has shown.” Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review! When racial tensions rise in the city and a Far Right march turns violent, Sunny is forced to make the hardest choice of all.

The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla | Goodreads The Boxer by Nikesh Shukla | Goodreads

I’m not claiming to have any answers to these problems. What I am saying is that education on these topics makes a difference. Talking about these issues makes a difference. You can read reports and talk at people all day long but reading a book like The Boxer can, for a short time, put you in the head of someone who is experiencing these things at full throttle and it can change your way of thinking. One Punch from the Promised Land: Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, and the Myth of the Heavyweight TitleMy main complaint with The Boxer is that it is incredibly hard to connect to the main character. Apart from boxing, you never get an insight into what his other interests are. There is a slight hint at the fact he may like comics, but they are used as more of a prop. You also never find out what he studies at college, and if you do, it isn't memorable. He has one friend to begin with, which is fine, but Madhu barley makes an appearance at the end of the book. Sunny's relationship with other characters falls flat, unfortunately. In March of 2019 It was reported by The Independent that “Racially and religiously aggravated offences recorded by police in England and Wales reached a record high of more than 57,600 in the 12 months to September, after jumping by 7 per cent in a year.” Ultimately there’s a lot that’s good in this book and I think that it’s worth a few hours of your time but the central theme of racism and white extremism didn’t come together for me and that is a disappointment. Nikesh Shukla’s contemporary YA novel is an interesting look at racism and how boxing can give a person discipline, confidence and self-respect but while it’s interesting to have a book look at white extremist radicalisation, Keir’s character and motivation is underdeveloped, as is his friendship with Sunny and I never bought into why Sunny wanted to save him, which is a shame because there’s a lot that’s good about this book and it’s worth a look.