Author: Bryony Allen

Publisher: Pneuma Springs Publishing (28th April 2011)

Pages: 143

ISBN: 978-1-907728-12-9

From Amazon
OTOLI – Have you been there? Social outcast ALICE TURNER went there to escape the constant bullying from the Populars. She is befriended by Jenny; an enigmatic waitress who seems to be stuck in the past. As the Populars begin to reap the wrath of a faithful friend, suspicions build in Alice’s mind. Why does Jenny keep mementoes that are four years old? And why does Alice feel that she is to blame for the downfall of her enemies?

But friendship is a two-way deal as Alice soon discovers. After breaking her promise to Jenny, she faces a far worse foe than before. Alice is forced to make choices on which her future and that of others will depend; whether or not she knows it. Moreover, she will have to find courage to escape the ultimate bully – her best friend.

Review
Stories which take a look at Bullying always interest me, especially books like OTOLI which looks at the effects bullying can have on a person. OTOLI looks particularly at the type of bullying I’m most familiar with – name calling and teasing. The saying “bricks and stones can break your bones but names can never hurt you” is a lot of old crap and OTOLI shows this perfectly.

It focuses mainly around Alice Turner who is being teased by the so-called ‘populars’ in school. You know the ones, they are at the top of the social pyramid in school, their popular (goes without saying), dress in the latest fashions etc and they think that because of this they can treat anyone how they want to. The teachers in school don’t do anything about it (even though they know it’s going on) and so the remarks in class (and out) continue never ending.

I don’t really want to say too much about the story as the book is so short (perfect length for the story) but it means that anything I could say about it might be something majorly spoilery and I think it’s a book that deserves to be read and not spoiled.

The story is told mainly from Alice’s point of view in short, sharp almost diary like chapters. We see how she feels, what she tries to do to avoid coming into contact with the populars and then one day she meets Jenny. I have to say that I didn’t really trust Jenny from the off, there was just something a little… off about her if you know what I mean.

Another character we see from time to time is Kieran, in a way he reminds me of me when I was his age (and still am in many ways), he’s shy and awkward and although we don’t see nearly as much of him as we do of Alice I liked him immediately.

I really loved the way we see the teachers nicknames – a couple of them made me giggle stopping the book from becoming too dark. It’s a book which could have been depressing and really tough to read, fortunately I think the tone is set just right.

Ultimately like I said at the start I think it’s a book that deserves to be read, the only question remains is what does OTOLI stand for – I know but do you?

Thanks to Bryony for sending me a copy to review