Today it's my turn on the BlogTour More Than a Game by Ralph Robb. It's a contemporary read, a poignant read hidden within the world and love of footie.
Ralph Robb was born and raised in the industrial town of Wolverhampton, England, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife, two cats and a dog. A proud father of four, Robb works as an engineering technician and loves rugby, martial arts and of course a good book. His world is balanced by his obsession with comic books, quality TV, global events and the great outdoors.
About the book
Sabina Park Rangers is the first team of black players to reach the final of the Watney’s Challenge Cup. But coach Horace McIntosh has more selection problems than most. The First Division champions want to sign one of his best players – and right up until the day of the match he is uncertain that he will have a team for the biggest game in the club’s history because of arrests, a scam and an atmosphere of impending violence.
Personally I could have done with a glossary explaining the dialect and idioms of the culture Robb writes about. The gist, flavour and voice is clear, but often some of the phrases went right over my head.
When you read between the lines and look beyond the jovial humour and brusque descriptions, especially when the author ventured into the past, it's actually a brutally honest storyline. Robb draws comparisons between the day and age we live in, and the 70s and 80s. Sometimes he takes it back a wee bit further to the baseline and beginning of certain behaviour patterns.
He pulls no punches when it comes to describing the racism, discrimination and treatment of black people. Robb addresses the way society has evolved, become more diverse and more aware of white privilege, then in the same breath describes the way society is reverting back to those days once again. In a sense society and scaremongering white nationalists are laying a gunpowder trail which could end up being lit by the smallest of sparks.
There is a general lack of comprehension when it comes to white privilege, which is difficult to eradicate or even to educate people about. It can be taught with simple examples, which in turn would create a better understanding of racism and the oppression of black people and minorities.
It's quite interesting how the author has infused such an entertaining and amusing read with such serious topics, and yet does it in such a non-confrontational way. It's a contemporary read, a poignant read hidden within the world and love of footie.
Buy More Than a Game (links to follow soon) or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Hi Cheryl - I would like to thank you all again, for taking the time to review my book ‘More Than A Game’.
ReplyDeleteI’d like to turn your attention to a Podcast that discusses the contents of the book, you might find interesting.
ralphrobb.com/podcast
Thanks Again
Ralph Robb