`Author:` Alex Wheatle `Availability:` > [!info] > ![[IMG_3446.jpeg]] ## Summary *Brixton Rock* is a novel by British author Alex Wheatle, first published in 1999. It tells the coming-of-age story of Brenton Brown, a 16-year-old mixed-race boy who has spent most of his life in a children’s home after being abandoned by his mother. When Brenton is finally reunited with his estranged mother, he struggles to adjust to family life in Brixton, South London. He faces racism, identity struggles, and the challenges of street life while navigating complex relationships—including an ill-fated romantic involvement with his half-sister, Juliet. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, [[Trauma]], and survival in a harsh urban [[Habitus|environment]]. Wheatle’s [[Writing]] captures the raw energy of 1980s Brixton, blending gritty realism with moments of humor and tenderness. The book is the first in Wheatle’s *Brixton Trilogy*, followed by *East of Acre Lane* and *The Dirty South*. ## Key Takeaways ## Quotes - ## Notes `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Books index]]