Customer Reviews
Not really a football book despite the title! - By: Binro The Heretic, 03 Sep 2007 
I first encountered Mal Peet's writing when I was given a copy of 'Keeper' some years ago. I was immediately struck by the author's vivid descriptions of the dreams & aspirations of a poor boy with a passion for football, set against a backdrop of deforestationin Latin America. This novel is very differentin content but retains Keeper's direct prose & earthy descriptions of the ironies of life. Penalty has a dual-narrative which touches on slavery & exploitation, as well as Peet's recurring themes of dreams, reality & old magic. Written primarily for teenagers but with a style that is at times quite adultin it's directness, the story quickly establishes a pace & draws the readerin without gimmicks. It certainly left me wanting more - Tamar here I come!
Pure storytelling. - By: R. Howe, 21 Mar 2007 Peet's writing has one very distinctive characteristic - he tells an unstoppable story. The style is sparce, yet oh so fluid, & one finds oneself swept awayin blissful storytelling, as appreciated by last year's Carnegie medal panel, (Peet's 'Tamar' romped home with the prize)
The Penalty takes us into the dark heart of South American football & the mysterious disappearance of the young genuis "El Brujito". Sports journalist Paul Faustino,in a reluctant search for the boy, finds himself drawn deeper into a web of corruption & a legacy of slavery & black magic......
Fautino's practical & cynical outlook is very reminiscent of Chandler's Philip Marlowe & as such, can hardly fail to engage. This book is one of the greatest pieces of magical storytelling I've ever come across (and Tamar & Keeper would also be up there too). Can't rate it highly enough.
