Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan: Review

Treacle Town truly encapsulates the life of a young adult trying to make a life for himself in a town with very little prospects. Con O’Neill, the protagonist of this story, realises that if he wants to live a long life full of meaning he will have to break free of this town. However, despite his understanding that this is the case, we see that Con finds it very difficult to go against the status quo. He is unsure of himself, he talks himself into staying more than once and he continues on with his self-destructive behaviours despite his heart screaming at him to stop.

This beautifully crafted, complex character allows us to feel real sympathy. We understand his inner conflict better than anyone as we are able to see where his thoughts and doubts originate. All we want is the best for this young man who has all the odds working against him. This book is a must-read for anyone that enjoys books that shed light on the lives of people who are often misunderstood and forgotten in our society.

Amina Abbassene