Runt

by Niall Griffiths

On leaving school a sixteen-year-old boy goes to live with his uncle on a remote Welsh hill-farm. His aunt has recently committed suicide after losing her livestock in the foot-and-mouth epidemic and his uncle has turned, once again, to the bottle. The boy is an innocent, a spiritual savant; his uncle sees him as a shaman. An unwitting repository of folk memory, he is a boy from the margins: barely educated but possessed of extraordinary insights; barely literate but able to speak a language of his own - a poetry laden with Pagan and Christian myth. He is unaware that he is gifted, unaware of what he knows in general - which is probably for the best since the enormity of his knowledge, were it to be understood, would crush him. During one of his ecstatic trances the boy learns that he has an appointed role in the world, which he must discover for himself. During an episode of brutal and climactic violence, he does exactly that. Told through the boy's internal monologue of beauty and damage, "Runt" is a powerful, disturbing and moving novel that reinvigorates the language of fiction and illuminates domestic tragedy with a penetrating epic light.

Genres: Fiction

149 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Niall Griffiths was born in Liverpool to a Welsh/Irish/Romany lineage. He’s been a labourer, a barman, a server of fish and chips, a burglar, a farmhand, a tree feller, a factory worker and many other things too tedious to relate. Now, he’s a full-time writer, living at the foot of a mountain in mid-Wales, with seven novels published, several works of non-fiction and more short stories and radio plays and travel pieces and reviews than he cares to, or possibly even can, count. His fourth novel, Stump, won the Wales Book of the Year Award. A film adaptation of his third novel, Kelly+Victor, won a BAFTA. He’s now working on the screenplay for his sixth, Wreckage. His latest novel is Broken Ghost.

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

As often with Griffiths books this is as much about the Welsh countryside as it is about the characters. Desolate, barren, brooding places that seem to have a dark and baleful influence. Other recurring themes - a marginalised man/boy and an oblique reference to another Griffiths book - also feature.

Tension builds until a violent bloodletting brings balance back to the world. The landscape endures.

Whilst I appreciated this as different, visceral writing I have enjoyed other Griffiths books better - try Sheepshagger for wonderful evocation of ancient landscape, or Stump for the dark comedy

BTW I got it wrong about the dog

[James Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't an easy read and reminds me in some respects of 'Riddley Walker' and William Faulkner. Immerse yourself in the narrator's interior world though and be rewarded with a bold book that does not err for a single sentence from the expertly drawn voice of.. the runt? I've not read anything else from the author yet but he is evidently a bold and dynamic writer interested in mixing things up a little. Recommended if you're not put off by a scarcity of full stops.

[Daniel Sheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book was a single sidestep away from my last book, God's Own Country, and I would say that it comes under the same sorta genre of writing (UK working class grit-lit that's doing something different) but at the same time manages to achieve something utterly new and really rather spectacular. This is stream of consciousness writing pushed to the limit. The unrelenting (and with hardly any punctuation) waterfall of thoughts from the head of a barely educated sixteen year old boy in the mountains of Wales - although it honestly reads more like a ten year old due to certain neurodivergent traits (or is it something much more mysterious??!!) which are unveiled throughout the novel. I have to admit, it did take me a good dozen or so pages to acclimatise, but honestly, keep pushing, its worth it I swear, for I was soon swept away by the torrent of gorgeousness that is the inside of this kids head. I reckon this book breaks every single rule of grammar and language and maybe even creates some new ones, but it's so raw and honest and unique, and the flow is so smooth and effortless that as soon as you surrender to it (as with the vernacular of God's Own Country) your thoughts start flowing in the exact same way as the protagonist. The limited yet lyrical language gives this novel an intimate and super emotional vibe, and as we barrelled towards the disturbing and epic climax, I had tears running down my face. Playful, dark, intriguing, and expertly realised, this is yet another stunning and essential piece of literature. For fans of narrative voice, linguistic gymnastics, folklore and working class heroes. This is yet another story that I'll be studying and thinking about for weeks to come.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There just aren't enough books like this one!
Loved being in rural Wales for this story of boyhood and pure raw emotion.
This book is described as being of "limited vocabulary" which equates to being the story of a boy who is pushed out by his own mother for her abusive boyfriend, to her alcoholic Uncle who is getting over the suicide of his wife.
This voice of a 16 year old boy, may seem so much younger, but its just beautiful. Just so so beautiful.

[duKe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runt is truly unique. The narrators voice is captured so perfectly and your understanding of his perspective is built as you bond with the character. The characters are relatable and real, especially Drunkle. He is my favourite. “I could smell his breath and the pubs in it cos he’s my Drunkle.” The limited use of dialogue and extensive use of descriptive language through the eyes of the narrator gives the book a layer of meaning not often found. This is a surprising gem of a novel.

[WndyJW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Niall Griffiths. Niall’s muse is Wales: the history of the area, the mists in the mountains, the myths of the celts. His subjects are people on the periphery of society-the addict, the criminal, the mentally ill, the poor, and he writes in their dialect. His prose is at times raw and other times ethereal. His novels don’t just tell stories, they make the reader see the world through different eyes.

[Kalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Sheepshagger by Griffiths, I partly knew what to expect (e.g. Welshness, rain, countryside). This time the narrative is rather clearcut, but it is told mainly with the main character's internal monologue (and run-on sentences).

"Cos if you repress a god, you get a demon."

[maisie · Rating 5 out of 5]

entirely different from anything i have read before. the narrator is a wonderful character and i loved seeing the world through his eyes

[Ian Mapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short novella written in a stream of consiusness, with the interior monologues of a 16 year old savant living in rural wales.

He is forced to live with his uncle (referred to as drunkle) who has hit the bottle following the suicide of his wife as an aftermath to her flock being killed under foot and mouth.

His home life is fraught as his "not dad" is abusing his mother and he wants him out.

They go to the hills where they are abused by a local bully, Arthur, who thinks that their dog arrn is killing his sheep.

The boy stands up to arthur in a pub, fucks his wife and then stops arthur from killing his drunkle and wife with an ax.

The story is second place to the own language and constant humour of this character who sees the world with a childs eyes but has some great insights.

A success and welcome return from one of my favorite authors.

[MarjaHannele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tämä on toinen lukemani Griffithsin kirja.
Hyvin karu ja karski tarina jälkeenjääneen pojan ja tämän enon kesästä. Vaikka suuri osa tarinaa on hyvin kolikkoa, niin Griffiths tuntuu rakastavan luontoa. Kirjassa on paljon hienoa luonnon ja eläinten kuvailua.
Annoin 3⭐ mutta 3 1/2⭐ olisi lähempänä totuutta.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linguistically playful, darkly comedic and emotionally affecting, this slim novel boasts one of the most expertly realised interior monologues in the form of the barely literate sixteen year old Welsh boy who is our narrator. A whole language is created for him, to help him deal with the difficult things that are going on in his world - his uncle's alcoholism ('Drunkle'), his aunt's suicide, his abusive stepfather 'Not Dad'. The remote Welsh setting is described in a brilliantly unusual and ethereal way, as though spirits roam the hillsides. At times touching and at others deeply disturbing, 'Runt' really made me want to read a lot more Niall Griffiths.

[Hannah Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite Niall Griffiths book yet. I have loved his writing for years but the darkness is too strong for me. This ... this is the least nasty book. Not by any stretch light, just not quite as dark.

[Martyn Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly upbeat for a NG book.

I loved it and every page, but I love all his books.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and enjoyable read. I can’t imagine the narration style is everyone’s cup of tea as it is a little obscure. But I enjoyed this book

[Susan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main strength of this book is the very authentic feeling voice, this book is narrated by a 16 year old however the voice is much younger as the character appears to have learning difficulties This is presented in the narrative within his vague understanding of some of the events that happen as well as the lack of punctuation and use of childish made-up language, (he calls his drunk uncle his drunkle).

In this way the narrator reminded me a little of the narrator of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time and if you enjoyed that narrators perspective you might enjoy this one.

Another reason why his narrative voice is compelling is how we see the other unpleasant characters and events through the eyes of someone who is childlike. (In particular his desciptions of domestic abuse/abusers).

This authentic voice, however this also makes it a little bit difficult to get into. Full disclosure: I have picked this book up a few times, got a few pages into it and then put it down. What made me finally read it all the way through was taking it on a particularly long train journey and reading it all the way through in one sitting. I would recommend taking a few hours and reading it in this way.

Part of what makes the main character of this book so compelling is when he is taken on spiritual outer body experiences, the descriptions of these are vivid and full of imagery and descriptions of nature. This is in such contrast with the normal descriptions of the everyday life on the farm which is described as quite dirty and depressing.

Another reason I really liked this book is the little bits of Welsh and its setting, it mentions Bala lake a place I have visited many times, (for those of you who don't know I am Welsh). I would probably recommend for people who don't know a bit of welsh to google translate the very few words that will be unfamiliar to you.

The Rating:
4.0/5- Overall I enjoyed this short book and I enjoyed the mains characters perspective, (also this book has a really good ending which I won't spoil).

Who would I recommend it to? - I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the premise, as well as to anyone who likes Welsh literature and as mentioned anyone who enjoyed the narrative perspective of The curious incident of the dog in the night time you may enjoy this one.

[Boris · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book in the shop I put it back after reading half the story outline on the back cover.
I picked up a few more books but something made me go back and get this one. I am glad I did. It is a monologue told through the voice of a 16 year old boy who has a limited vocabulary. He moves to a Welsh farm in the hills to live with his Uncle (Drunkle), due to the volatile relationship between his mother and Step Father (Not Dad). The boy’s outlook is one of innocence and visionary as he possesses almost Shamanic abilities when he slips into almost trance like states at times (My Times). He is more in tune with nature than human character but draws comparisons between the two.
The book is about loss, sadness, confusion moving into new experiences, fear of the unknown, new beginnings and brutal endings.
The closest comparison I could make when reading this was to Mark Haddon's 'The Curious Incident of the dog in the night time.' However this book is in a league of its own.
Recommended!

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I frankly do not know what to say about this book. I don't know what to think, hell, I still haven't completely processed it.
I probably wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, because it kind of messed with my head. The entire book was written in the same way that my thoughts race and run together when I get really anxious and sort of loose touch with reality. It wasn't easy to follow, and was overall a very strange book.
Despite that, I kind of liked it. So maybe I would recommend it to somebody, the right somebody, anyway.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel is told from the point of view of an epileptic teenager who has just left school but seems largely illiterate (with limited vocabulary) and narrates the story in his mind. The style of the writing is unique and it paints a vivid image of the way the boy sees the world. The storyline is not particularly compelling but it was a good read all the same. I liked the novel, but probably wouldn't read it again.

[Jim Elkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yes, it's a good book, but by "good" I mean full of invention, energy, labor, and adding up to nothing more or less than the thousands of other new books that come out every year.

[Saf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great use of language. Short but not always easy to read.

[Demetzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing, it's written so well and despite being dark a little less so than previous books. Very clever and loved the characters

[Madeleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the narrator's voice hard to adapt to at first, but ended up really enjoying this weird little book. It is definitely unlike anything else I've read.

[John Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oink Oink.