Nicholas Dane Paperback – April 16, 2013

Nicholas Dane is a modern retelling of Oliver Twist. Fourteen year old, Nick, after his mother dies of a heroin overdoes (a problem Nick wasn't even aware she had) is sent to Meadow Hill, the worst place a young boy could be sent to. While there, Nick is beaten, whipped and tortured. Tony Creal, head of Meadow Hill promises to help Nick get out there (Unbeknownst to Nick, him mom's best friend as well as a long lost great Uncle are willing to help him), while secretly making sure that no one can help this "troubled and disturbed boy" as he calls him to Nick's family. One night, Mr. Creal gives Nick a hand job. Nick is so surprised that he doesn't do anything about it until it is over, and anger overpowers him. As punishment, Creal, as well as two other men brutally rape him, forever changing Nick.Nicholas Dane, is a heartbreaking story. I stopped counting how many times I had to put the book down to compose myself. This book is so sad and tragic. It wasn't just Nick either, all of the boys in this story deeply affected me, especially Oliver. Oliver is a few years younger then Nick and has been at Meadow Hill for a number of years already. He has been raped over and over again, first by his mothers boyfriend at age three, then by wardens and janitors in other group homes he was in, and finally by Creal and Creal's friends. Oliver knows nothing but pain and links pain with affection. His story broke my heart even more then Nick's.This book was good, but some of the story dragged on for me. I would only recommend it if you understand what you are getting yourself into. This book will make you cry, over and over again.

A sad and gritty story of torture, abuse and redemption set in Margaret Thatchers post industrial England with its bleak institutions and corrupt systems of care. Nicks journey is unflinchingly described allowing for his flaws and bad choices to play out in the gruesome chain of events and punishing treatment that he clearly does not deserve. I found the ending a bit abrupt and convenient but other than that its a good little read.

It gives an Oliver Twist feel to it, by the way he lost his mother in the beginning of the book just like in Oliver Twist of Charles Dickens. He wrote the book, and the writer who wrote this Melvin Burgrass has all of the inspirational details accurate.

Great characterizations, well thought out plots. You'll love it.

I have not been this engrossed in a book for a LONG time. A disturbing novel, a myriad of emotions, and still "rooting for Nicholas Dane". A MUST read!!

All perfect

This book was supposed to be loosely based on Olver Twist. The villain did not get punished!

Wonderfully written in all ways. Recommended to all readers who love heart wrenching stories. Keeps you on the edge throughout the whole story. Just as great as Smack.

Massive trigger warnings for abuse, violence and drug use.Burgess' books are informed by interviews and conversations with young people, and his books are all the more powerful for being so well crafted. This is one of the hardest books I have read, but is depiction of young men in danger, and the violence in their lives, is expertly written. It's a hard book, but a good one.

Ich konnte das Buch nur schwer aus der Hand legen,da mich der Schreibstil von Melvin Burgess fesselt.Das Buch veranschaulicht sehr emotional,wie Traumata im Kindesalter/Jugendalter den Betroffenen sein Leben lang begleiten.Sehr traurig und mitfühlend hat mich die Lektüre gemacht.