This is the reading group book for this month. It’s a short book but packed with drama, action and emotion. It evokes childhood memories very well. The central theme of the book is the power of friendship. It reminds me very much of the Stephen King story Stand By Me, right down to the group of friends running away and a vomiting child who sets off several other vomiters.

Some parts of the plot seemed a little far-fetched, for example, the real identity of Tony’s Polish stepfather. Everyone always seemed to be crying, even some of the men. The book doesn’t paint a very appealing picture of life in a small Scottish village in the late 60s. But the pace of the book and the amount packed into it kept me turning the pages. Spit Against the Wind is a very enjoyable read.