Flemmich Webb Reviews of Boxer Handsome by Anna Whitwham

genre

print review in the newspaper, also reproduced online

audience

primarily readers of the paper

purpose

inform and review. also persuade readers to buy novel

discourse structure

intro to background and sense of narrative→consideration of themes and extracts→concluding summary

references and allusions

references to boys clubs and boxing clubs in London. Literary references suggest the text has traditional models (drawing links between elements of the text and Shakespeare’s Corialanus

Example of pre modified nouns

They were highly positive.The word “promising” is repeated

What does the review hint at+ give an example of a hint

elements of the plots. “a victorious act that drives subsequent events.”→ he is careful not to spoil the story

Violent lexical field

Boxing is references as a “flurry of fists”

Lang reflects the mood

colloquial-reflect the mood of the boxing world- mirror tough masculine atmosphere

violent imagery-raw mood of boxing- verbs of impact (hit punch slam) build tension

sensory detail-makes reader feel intensity

semantic field of survival/fighting- repeated words around pain, endurance set a moody atmosphere

themes

masculinity, identity, love, violence, human struggle

representation

boxing world is tough but emotional, male characters shown as flawed and complex

comparison

Both Earthquake and Boxer.. explore human endurance in extreme situations. Read uses vivid sensory lang and short sentences to reflect fear and chaos of EQ, creating a mood of danger. In contrast, Whitwhams lang is gritty and colloquial, mirroring the raw, masculine atmosphere of the boxing world. While Reads tone becomes emotional and reflective after survival, Whitwham maintains a detached yet respectful tone. Both use realism and physical imagery to show how strength and vulnerability can coexist