Monday, August 31, 2015

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

Six friends create a game their first year at a University in England.  The rules to the game are pretty simple; you lose a round and you have to do consequences, things the other friends suggest that would be very uncomfortable and embarrassing for you to perform.  If you back out of the game at certain times you get the large monetary investment you made to the game back, at other times the money is forfeit.  Towards the end of the game only two players remain in play, and one of the previous players is dead.  The game is on a fourteen year hiatus, and play is about to resume.

The writing style of this book is interesting.  The story is told alternatively in the past and present and the way it is told you don’t even know who is telling the story until a good way into the narrative!  It’s a compelling read about the power of friendship contrasted with the power of greed and pride.  Which of the three are most important to you?  Are you sure?  I will keep an eye out for the next book by this author.