A Kestrel for a Knave cover art

A Kestrel for a Knave

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A Kestrel for a Knave

By: Barry Hines
Narrated by: Gareth Bennett Ryan
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About this listen

Life is tough and cheerless for Billy Casper, a troubled teenager growing up in the small Yorkshire mining town of Barnsley. Treated as a failure at school, and unhappy at home, Billy discovers a new passion in life when he finds Kes, a kestrel hawk.

Billy identifies with her silent strength, and she inspires in him the trust and love that nothing else can, discovering through her the passion missing from his life.

Barry Hines' acclaimed novel continues to reach new generations of teenagers and adults with its powerful story of survival in a tough, joyless world.

©1999 Barry Hines (P)2016 Isis Publishing Ltd Classics Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Thought-Provoking Mining

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All stars
Most relevant
I haven't read this since I was at school in the 1970's and I recently rewatched the film and downloaded the book. I appreciated the story and the social history so much more than I did in my youth. I would recommend others who studied it at O Level GCSE do the same.

A childhood memory brought back to life

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What an amazing novel. RIP Barry Hines you deserve the world. I wish you could see the impact of this book and hope your family well.

Breathtaking

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I first watched Kes when the school TV was wheeled during my last year of Prinary School, and the syory of Billy and Kes has stuck with me ever since. Brought up in tge North of England during the mid 70's what we watched that day just seemed normal and thirty year's during the age of mobile phones and social media I made both my children watch Kes too. they both loved it, and I hope that when the time comes, Kes will ve watched by my grandchildren too.

Better than the film

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Would you listen to A Kestrel for a Knave again? Why?

Yes because I love this book

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Kestrel for a Knave?

When mr farthing watched billy fly the hawk and the sports teacher mr sugdens football game

What does Gareth Bennett Ryan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Great accents

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's sad in places but a great listen

Any additional comments?

No

Great book and film

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I have loved every moment of this book. It was gripping and beautifully descriptive. This book is a definite must-read and I rate it as one of my most enjoyed books. The writing style makes easy reading and the flow makes it an addictive read.

Excellent read

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