Martyn Bedford - Writer

I’ve just received the summer issue of Inis, the influential national magazine of Children’s Books Ireland. As well as features and interviews on a whole range of literary topics, Inis carries an excellent review section where each featured title is reviewed three times – by a professional book critic, a teacher or children’s librarian and (in the case of teen/YA fiction) a teenage reader. It’s a great idea and, naturally, I’m delighted – and relieved – that Flip comes out very well from its triple scrutiny.

I can’t provide a link to the full reviews because the online edition of the magazine is subscription-only, but here are some pull-out quotes from each:

“This is a compelling read, not alone for the examination of what constitutes personality or psyche, but also for the clever and unpredictable plot development. There are moments of pure comedy, romance and sadness, frustration and poignancy. It is a book that would open the mind of any questioning young reader to explore who they are, not just as they perceive themselves but also how they are perceived by others.”
– Judy Deacon

“Flip is an excellent novel which will definitely keep you up late into the night determined to find out what happens next. And once you’ve found out, it will leave you thinking for days afterwards.”
– Kieran Mark Crowley

“With its themes of alienation and despair, Flip is a smartly written and psychologically astute book that will certainly appeal to deep-thinking teens.”
– Eimear Ryan

For more about Inis, go to www.inismagazine.ie .