Critical Evaluation of Stone Cold by Robert Swindells Essay -- English

Critical Evaluation of Stone Cold by Robert SwindellsA novel that I have read recently is Stone Cold by Robert Swindells.In this novel there are two main characters c exclusivelyed pertain and Shelter.These characters have very different personalities. I intend toconsider the ways in which the author has created these two verydifferent personalities and will explain my reaction to each of them.This novel tells both sides of one story, Links side and Sheltersside. Link is a 16year old boy that left home because of familytroubles and Shelter is a 47year old man who was discharged from thearmy on medical grounds and doesnt agree with this. He thinks it ishis duty to get rid of the homeless. Link moved to London to get awayfrom it all (his family) and became homeless. Shelter doesnt like thehomeless, he just thinks they are a waste-of-space Shelter begins tobribe them into going back to his flat where he intends to kill themShelter kills many of Links friends and Link begins to wonder why theyare all going missing. He does some detective work and then the truthis finally revealed.In this novel Link is one of the main characters. During this novel weare made to sympathise with Link. One of the ways in which we are madeto sympathise with him was when his stepfather Vince treated himunfairly slapping him about. This did not happen on except oneoccasion in fact it happened everydayId been with my mates, he locked me out the house.Even although this was not Vinces house he still thought he had theauthority over Link and his mother to do this. This also showed howmuch Vince disliked Link.Another way in which we are made to feel repentant for Link was when linkwas homeless and could... ...lpless persondidnt have a clue what they were getting themselves into.Link and Shelter are the complete opposite of each other. Link is avery caring character that hasnt really secured anything in life,whereas Shelter is a cruel, heartless person who has experiencedmilitary work in life.In conclusion I think Shelter is a horrible man. I feel sorry forShelter because I think he feels he didnt achieve in life because hewas dismissed from the army and he is coming back by killing thehomeless. On the other-hand I think Link is a very kind and lonesomeperson. No matter how poor he was he always helped his friends. I alsofeel sorry for Link, his family disowned him and he has no realfriends. I thought this novel was a great read. It made me realise howhard and dangerous it is for the homeless to survive and also what alonely life they lead.