Blood Runner Review

Title: Blood Runner

Author: James Riordan

Release Date: 6^th October 2011

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Samuel's parents and sister die in a bloody massacre. His brothers retaliate by joining the anti-Apartheid movement, with guns and terrorism as their weapons. But Sam decides to fight prejudice in his own way- as a runner. Against all odds - from a poor township childhood to the Bantu homelands, from work in a gold-mine to competing for gold - he focuses his mind, body and heart on the long, hard race to freedom...

Samuel has to deal with the awful effects of a particularly brutal attack on his community which leaves his parents dead. He and his brother, Looksmart, have to move in with their Uncle Sabata, who brings the boys up as his own and gets them jobs in the gold mine. However, it is obvious that Sam is a skilled runner. Despite his brother’s violent actions in the anti-apartheid movement, Sam realises he can use his skill to his advantage and peacefully protest against the horrific prejudice that black people faced at that time in South Africa.   

This book is unique because of the way the tone changes so quickly and suddenly.  The story starts in a shocking and devastating way, with an outbreak of violence against innocent civilians. Despite his childhood (at times it is unsettling to remember he is just a child), Sam goes on to become a strong young man and the book traverses the years, with Sam becoming a loving husband and father. The teachings of his uncle and the ‘Note on Apartheid’ at the end offer a non-fictional element to the novel and also place it in context which is not just useful but also interesting. The novel is not just informative about the injustices that occurred but is also an interesting tale about a determined young man. As a character, I found Samuel to be really well constructed, with a mature outlook on how the world should be.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, both for the story and the historical note at the end. It was a well-rounded tale with a positive ending which contrasted with the tone at the start of the novel. Although the subject matter was often serious and heavy, the novel becomes a ‘feel good’ tale as Sam gets the things he wants and deserves. Even if you know nothing about the apartheid in South Africa, this novel is a brilliant stand-alone story but the way it is written will leave you with a greater understanding of recent world history.

5/5 Brilliantly constructed with a wonderful well-deserved happy ending.

With special thanks to Frances Lincoln for sending me a copy of the book.