Noughts and Crosses

Noughts and Crosses 1

By: Malorie Blackman

Narrated by: Syan Blake, Paul Chequer

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Sephy is a Cross – a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought – a ‘colourless’ member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood. But that’s as far as it can go. Until the first steps are taken towards more social equality and a limited number of Noughts are allowed into Cross schools… Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity by Noughts, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum – a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger....

©2001 Malorie Blackman (P)2004 Random House Audio Go

Can’t wait for rest of series on Audible

There are about 6 more books in this series. Really hoping they will all be available via Audible.

Great job

I highly recommend this audiobook. I enjoyed the story and the narration. Great job. Recommended.

Disappointed with the end

This book had a lot of promise but I cannot give it a 5 star because I will never read it again. Not a good ending.

Just wow!

Visualization was tough and I loved that it challenged me in this way. The fact that I was so far into the book before skin color was denoted was the most brilliant way to highlight the privilege white readers approach a novel with and the importance of having black voices as main characters.
Thank you for this gift.

Young adult thinker

Mostly a good plot, very good for young romantics. One of the two protagonist voices was good, one was lacking a bit. Though for middle/high school students I’ll recommend this podcast, but more so the paper book. Hits harder when you read it yourself, in my experience.

Racial Romeo and Juliette

Good read; easy listening. Reveals bumps and mountains faced by individuals because of societies differences.

Brilliant and relevant

Fantastic book, both voice actors were excellent and emotes well, the subject matter is important. White people should read this book, and learn something from it.

Malorie Blackman knocked it out of the park again.

So arresting!

Such an arresting story! It left me breathless, and eager for the next installment. Tragic, yet hopeful characters.

A good book but it felt a bit off sometimes.

It was a good book, but in a few parts it felt like whip lash. Some of the twists could be spotted a mile away but all in all a good story and well written characters. Just not my cup of tea.

Amazing

A work of art! brilliantly told and eminently readable.. I can't wait for the sequels to be audio-booked.

whitewashed in it's audiobook!

the most powerful thing about the story and it references to diversity is lost in casting Sephy in what sounds like a poncy white Jane Austen era voice and the lack of diversity in the character voices. it's strange to have the 'crosses' aspire to and take on the accents of thier former slaves rather than develop their unique voices and have it the other way round.

it feels like someone's tried to make it palatable by erasing real 'cross' voices. the story is lost and the subtle returning of the narrative to the status quo is such a disappointment.

Fantastic Story Dull and Annoying Voice Actors

What did you like most about Noughts and Crosses?

Fantastic Book, well written very interesting with many twists.

What didn’t you like about Syan Blake and Paul Chequer ’s performance?

Tone, and boring speaking voices. Really not a fan.

Very engaging

This worked fantastically well as in-car listening to, from and during our holiday in Cornwall last year. It is accessible both to adults and to teenagers, and we often sat in the car at the end of a journey to finish a chapter. The story is based on an interesting twist on our traditional notions of racism, but this is in no way labored, but rather provides the backdrop for the human stories we encounter.

Loved it

It was great fantastic
I loved it a great story, great narration ( It was perfect I like it when the different characters have different voices which is the case for this book.)
For me it was a perfect book.
It is great for teenager or older children, because I loved it, adored it and I'm 14 and my sister too she is 12
Hope my review helps you with your choice.
I had 100% satisfaction with my purchase and hope you do too
Jodie 14years old

Essential YA

The scenario is compelling, the drama powerful, and the echoes of Romeo and Juliet beautifully ironic, but the language marks this title out definitively as a YA novel: not one to pick if you're on the trail of lyricism, or an arresting turn of phrase. The reading is generally effective, but Paul Chequer brings to Callum's narration a sneering tone that I hadn't expected and didn't enjoy.

A very thought provoking book

Loved it and couldn't wait to be able to find time to listen to more

Loved it !

One of my favourite books of all time , it was read beautifully throughout .

Not what I was expecting.

I thought it was going to be predictable but it wasn't. Suitable for older teenagers and adults only. No swearing but adult themes.

Great book awful voice actors

Read this book as a kid and revisited recently, the voice acting made the book close to unbareable, it's a real shame as the book is great!

Excellent Example of Apartheid

the Apartheid of south Africa is one of the most shameful parts of our history. to have the roles reversed is one thing but the book also gives us a more day to day setting. a beautiful story and heart wrenching. very well constructed and paced.