You know when your reading a book in public and can feel the tens of glares coming at you from all directions? Imagine that but ten times worse. What else can be expected when reading a book with a loudly decorated title like that of Brooks', 'Killing God'? It has to be said- I couldn't help but smile with a sort of self satisfaction, knowing that I was attracting the judgemental stares of complete randomers on the bus.
There is no question about what kind of book Killing God will turn out to be. The title says it all, consisting of two words that pretty much indicate that a Brooks-esque controversial page turner is to be looked forward to- it really is enough to draw anyone's attention.
The book follows the life of Dawn Bundy, a 15 year old girl who is far from conventional and doesn't particularily strive to fit in. She, like most teenagers, is on a path to self discovery. Of course, on the course of her path, it seems like her own ideas confuse her, and we ourselves are left pretty dazed! You begin to think the girl is crazy, the repetition of Dawn introducing herself becomes tiresome yet intriguing as questions such as, 'Why is it necessary for this girl to keep repeating her name?' run through your head. 'Does she have a problem with her identity? Is that what it is?' And so on...
Bundy's aim is 'kill God', who it seems brought her all misfortunes. It was because of Him, her father had gone missing, it was because of Him she had lost her innocence, it was because of Him nothing was right anymore, that she wasn't right anymore. Of course, answers are given and you completely understand her by the end of the book, but a lot of criticism could be made by religious people offended by the title of the book. Brooks doesn't even make an attempt to perhaps make the title a little more subtle, no, the large bold and white words, 'Killing God' on the front cover is layed against a black background instead. One can't help but think he's asking for trouble! Despite how much offence he may cause, you can't help but admire the guy for sheer audacity.
Brooks is blaitently bringing his cyncism of religion to light through this book. My favourite part of the book, quite close the beginning in fact, is when Dawn is reading a certain exerpt from the Bible about a certain 'Levite and his concubine'. The reason why I enjoyed this part of the book was because Brooks made sense. I won't give it away, you'll just have to read the book(or the Bible) to find out, however, it has to be said, Brook's sense of realism within the book is like a glass of ice cold water being chucked at your face. Perhaps this biblical story WASN'T meant to be taken literally, but one can't help but think what the actual point of that story in the Bible is?
He doesn't stop at only exploring the topics of teenage confusion and religion though. Brooks even explores how drugs and drug addiction can LEAD to one seeking solace in religion, even if it IS a disillusioned belief that is acquired, and how all of this can lead to the destruction of a stable family environment.
Dawn has her own personal issues, yet many teenagers, even those of whom I myself recommended the book to, could relate to the way they were making her feel. Brooks really does surpass himself in Killing God in the way he manages to get into a teenage girl's mind- not always easy. I could've written parts of this book myself, which probably relates to the 'really-exaggarating-about-everything-bad-in-life' parts of being a teenager!
I'd recommend this book to those over 14. There ARE many mature ideas which may not be suitable for those who are young. I actually think it would be quite a good book for parents to read if they feel distanced from their own teenagers and perhaps want to understand them a lot better.