The Bricks that Built the Houses

April 15, 2016

In her first novel, playwright, poet, rapper, and winner of the Ted Hughes Award for poetry Tempest re-creates the South London in which she has always lived, peopled with young struggling Brits who want to make a go of their lives, despite the odds. They all have baggage and backstories and families with stories and more baggage. Harry is a lesbian drug dealer working for the mob. Her brother Pete cannot find a job and spends his time reading in a decrepit cafe. There he meets Becky, a wannabe dancer who supports herself by delivering massages to businessmen in hotels. Tempest's characters are the bricks that build the houses; the more she explores their lives and the lives of their friends and families, the higher the buildings. It's clear that at any time these delicate structures may come crashing down. VERDICT An intricate tale of love and corruption, of failed relationships and lifelong friendships, this novel draws readers down the twisted back streets of South London, into all-night pubs, one-room flats, and fast-food eateries. It's a terrifying adventure well worth taking. [See Prepub Alert, 11/9/15.]--Andrea Kempf, formerly with Johnson Cty.Community Coll. Lib., Overland Park, KS

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