Review: Numbers by Rachel Ward

Numbers by Rachel Ward

My rating: 4 of 5 teacups


I was pleasantly suprised by this book, I really liked the story and the exploration of the underclasses and labelling in society. The questions asked about the current justice system in Britain and whether or not the police are simply looking for a likely candidate to blame, are often a question faced in reality. The exploration of racial issues also gives insight into a dark world where the police see a black boy (or girl, but less so) automatically as a criminal or at least a suspect.

The plot intrigued me as soon as I heard of it. The protagonist, Jem, has been able to see the numbers all her life, as soon as she looks into someone's eyes, she knows the date they will die. The numbers have always been absolute and unchanging. But one day she sees the exact same numbers on everyone waiting in the London Eye queue and flees, knowing the tragic fate of the passengers. The Eye becomes subject to a terrorist attack and the only CCTV footage shows Jem and her friend Spider running away from the scene. Instant suspects, the two attempt an escape, heading for a seaside town of Spider's childhood.

The story idea was very good, it seemed fairly original to me unless someone better-read would like to correct me. The focus on the lower working class was insightful but, most likely, exaggerated. I find it stereotypical of the author to paint every one as a drug-dealer or criminal of some kind, all with a low life expectancy to go with it. Some of it may be an accurate depiction of the struggles faced when you aren't born into wealth and opportunity but I grew up in a very mixed-class English town and the only difference between those defined as 'working class' and 'middle class' was their income. Neither were criminals, neither lacked education or ambition.

The race issue, however, can still happen and the author made her point very effectively by the way that the police assume without question that Spider must be a criminal.

The love story is something I didn't expect and when it first happened I didn't expect to get into it either. Actually, I became rather absorbed. Jem is such a strong character, I like how she is the one to pull Spider out of the river instead of waiting for him to come to her rescue (Twilight, anyone?); and how the two are partners, equally helping each other and sharing one another's strengths and weaknesses - there is no damsel, no knight in shining armour, they are both equals who have been labelled by society since they were young kids.

The ending, well the bit just before the ending, made me cry. I felt unexpected emotion for the characters and was left with no doubt as to whether I would read Numbers #2. And even if that bit before the ending hadn't been enough, the very last line would have been the cliffhanger to seal the deal. I was very impressed.