B for Buster

By: Iain Lawrence

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Iain Lawrence is the best-selling author of such heralded books for young readers as Lord of the Nutcracker Men, which broached the complicated subject of human experience in war. His novels have been chosen as Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal on more than one occasion. Lawrence again contemplates war in this novel, set in 1943, England. Sixteen-year-old Kak escaped his abusive family in Canada to join the Canadian Air Force. Now a crewman aboard a night-flying bomber bound for Germany, Kak learns of the terror and violence of war firsthand.

©2004 Iain Lawrence (P)2005 Recorded Books

B for Buster: Fear Immersed

I read the book 7 years ago in high school and loved it. It is a tamer version of Catch 22, and also parallel to the movie Memphis Bell.

It tells the story of war through the eyes of 16 year navigator for his Halifax bomber crew. A teenager trying to understand death while also playing its game. “Kak” battles himself throughout the entire story trying to find peace in a world of chaos. Battling fear more so than the enemy and that’s hard to do when the enemy has no face.

There is scenes in this book that have been scorched in my memory but none so powerful as the pipe falling down the steps. It is the most important piece and the climax of the book in my opinion.

If you haven’t read this book please do. You won’t be sorry.