Five Miles from Outer Hope

by Nicola Barker

Book Overview

In the summer of 1981, a six-foot-three giantess named Medve, built like a shire horse, is residing with her abnormally short family in an almost derelict art deco hotel on an island off the South Devon coast. Then a ginger stranger arrives, stinking of antiseptic.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0571202055
• ISBN13: 9780571202058
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Silly & Naughty - Good Combination!

This is a funny and strange family/coming-of-age novel narrated by a sixteen year old girl. Do not, however, think this qualifies as a YA book. This book contains strong language and sexual content. Lots of it. There are numerous pranks, moments of angst, literary gimmicks and a noirish feel to this book. Barker places us in the midst of a family that under an ordinary setting would certainly be described as dysfunctional. However, there is nothing ordinary about this group. Living in a no longer operating hotel on an island off the coast of England, the entire family (parents included) is in need of growing up. Of course, for such a need to be fulfilled, someone(s) would have to actually try to act like an adult. The arrival of a mystery guest of the father's really gives the story a focal point. The interplay of the characters is 'real' within this setting - and this interplay is the meat of the book. Barker's effort is both gritty and hilarious. The sparse writing style fits right in with the pace and action of the story. Enjoyable all the way through.