Gloves Off
Book Review
Raw. Relatable. Re-readable. Unforgettable. Writing | Bonnie Evie Gifford
W
hen it comes to books for teens, the topic of bullying isn’t exactly new. It’s something that, by the time we reach adulthood and are finally able to start making our own decisions, we will have encountered in some form or another. And yet, somehow, Louisa Reid’s young adult novel, Gloves Off, manages to encapsulate the whole, horrid experience in what feels like a unique and visceral way.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Written in poetic verse, Lily, a teen in secondary school, shares her
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experience of being mercilessly, physically and emotionally bullied. When a particularly bad incident forces Lily to open up about her experiences, she is introduced to boxing as a way to confront her fears, stand up for herself, and own her own space. Split between Lily’s perspective and her mother, Bernadette’s, thoughts and feelings, it’s easy to become swept away with Lily’s journey from victimhood to learning to take charge of her life, and discovering her voice. An emotionally taxing read, Lily’s journey feels as refreshingly authentic as it is frustrating.
ADULT INFLUENCES From our personal expectations to our world view, the adults around us shape us more than we might realise. Throughout Gloves Off, we see how Lily’s life, experiences, and expectations, have been affected by those around her. From her distinctly working-class background and the unsafe estate in which she lives, we see how the pressure to succeed can be as stifling as it can be a source of strength. While Lily’s relationships with her mother, who shares many of the same weight and confidence struggles, and her father – a supportive
and loving, if albeit at times absent, figure – create a complex, often thought-provoking backdrop, it is Lily’s school life that is one of the most frustrating aspects of her story. Highlighting the failings of over-worked, under-experienced young teachers, it feels like Lily is being failed by a system that should be there to make everyone feel safe and included. While Lily seems able to brush off the failings of her teachers, as a reader, I was left feeling frustrated and angry on her behalf. And this, in many ways, is how the author succeeds in creating such a believable, and heart-
