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Jason Greensides
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The Distant Sound of Violence Kindle Edition

by Jason Greensides (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 43 ratings
Do we ever escape the decisions we make when we’re fifteen?

Nathan Dawes, the loser from school, an outsider, street philosopher and member of The Grove Runners gang, needs Ryan’s help to get Stephanie to fall for him. When Ryan’s lawnmower is stolen, Nathan sees this as his chance to enlist Ryan in his plan.

Although Ryan knows becoming friends with Nathan could lead to trouble, he reluctantly agrees to help.

Stephanie wants nothing to do with either of them. Besides, she’s more interested in the one guy in the world she really shouldn’t be.

As Nathan continues his pursuit of Stephanie, and Ryan gets mixed up with The Grove Runners, soon events overtake them all, haunting their lives for years to come.

Part coming of age, part mystery story, The Distant Sound of Violence is a heartbreaking tale of bad decisions and love gone wrong. It’s about choices that lead to violence, loss and tragedy.
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  1. Print length
    503 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 27, 2014
  5. File size
    2.7 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is smart, gripping and even weaves an intriguing mystery into the mix. I cannot praise it highly enough. A masterpiece." - D.M. Cain, author of The Phoenix Project and A Chronicle of Chaos

"This reviewer seems to recall something that was said of Dostoevsky and how, to be successful, a novel requires an overarching philosophy. It is especially in this respect that Greensides's work merits ultimate recognition." - The Literary Reader

"Every once in a while, I finish a book, don't do anything for a while except sit and think about it. This is one of those... It's rough and violent, but compassionate towards every character. This is one I'm definitely going to thrust upon my friends and family." - Sunshine Somerville, author of The Kota series

"A powerful sense of place and a sharp, nostalgic feel pervade the novel, and the supporting characters are richly drawn...an engaging, exciting and thought-provoking read that I'd strongly recommend." - Nathan Jones

"There are twists and turns, light and shade in every page and in summation the book was a joy to read... It is without doubt a skilled debut from Jason Greensides." - Boopy

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PP1H2F0
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 27, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 503 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

About the author

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Jason Greensides

Jason Greensides

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Jason Greensides has a degree in Video Production and Film Studies and has made several short films, but writing fiction is his real passion. He's interested in 'outsider' types, people operating on the edge of society. This inspired him to write his first novel, The Distant Sound of Violence.

He lives in London.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
43 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a compelling coming-of-age story with an off-beat urban narrative. The character development is precise, and customers describe the writing as good, with one noting how the author captures vernacular language patterns. Customers find the book insightful and emotionally resonant, with one review highlighting how it describes the human condition well. The pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how it paints a beautiful landscape.

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8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the compelling story of this book, which features an off-beat urban narrative. One customer describes it as a coming-of-age tale that builds to a satisfying climax.

"...As a result, Greensides creates an emotive and compelling story which doesn't finish as the book draws to a close but lingers, curious and haunting,..." Read more

"...The social critique doesn't bludgeon you, it's weaved into the story in many, many ways, some of which are of some enormity and some of which are..." Read more

"...An excellent story about how every decision can affect your future and how real friendship doesn't die over time...." Read more

"...an unbelievably predictable conclusion instead it twists and turns with an amazing resolve that has you wanting so badly to turn to the next page...." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning how the characters unravel a mystery within a mystery.

"...Right from the start, Greensides presents vivid and original characters who leave their imprint long after the story ends...." Read more

"...He always feels like a character, not like the author telling you what to focus on. -..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the struggles of the main characters and how we witnessed them grow and learn from them...." Read more

"...Distant Sound's character development is so precise and so authentic, that you have this incredibly vivid portrait of not only the characters..." Read more

6 customers mention "Enlightened"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and emotional, with one review noting how it describes the human condition well.

"The Distant Sound of Violence is a beautifully written, poignant and perceptive account of a group of teenagers whose identities are emerging within..." Read more

"...The social critique doesn't bludgeon you, it's weaved into the story in many, many ways, some of which are of some enormity and some of which are..." Read more

"...Equally heartbreaking and enlightening, this is a book I would recommend for teens and adults alike." Read more

"...The author captures language patterns in vernacular, and describes the human condition well, as the characters unravel a mystery within a mystery...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one noting how the author captures language patterns in vernacular.

"The Distant Sound of Violence is a beautifully written, poignant and perceptive account of a group of teenagers whose identities are emerging within..." Read more

"...Words aren't wasted. If something is mentioned, it's there for a purpose. I can't say enough about TDSOV or its author, Jason Greensides!..." Read more

"...It is a literary triumph because it doesn't lead you into an unbelievably predictable conclusion instead it twists and turns with an amazing resolve..." Read more

"...The author captures language patterns in vernacular, and describes the human condition well, as the characters unravel a mystery within a mystery...." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, with one mentioning how it guides readers along the journey.

"...This alone makes the whole book a fantastic book club read because of the discussion it spurs. -..." Read more

"Such a great book I had to read it twice before I could feel comfortable about writing a review...." Read more

"...It’s moody, gripping, heartbreaking, and not to be missed." Read more

"An interesting read that didn't turn out the way I thought it might. A lot is covered, sometimes scattered, but still a good read." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one noting how it paints a beautiful landscape, while another describes it as an incredibly vivid portrait.

"...Right from the start, Greensides presents vivid and original characters who leave their imprint long after the story ends...." Read more

"...Just subtle and nonchalant use of POV and in-character, natural-feeling thought processes...." Read more

"...is so precise and so authentic, that you have this incredibly vivid portrait of not only the characters themselves but of the world they live..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Violence to Compassion
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The Distant Sound of Violence is a beautifully written, poignant and perceptive account of a group of teenagers whose identities are emerging within the urban world of early nineties London. Right from the start, Greensides presents vivid and original characters who leave their imprint long after the story ends. Throughout the novel, it's the sensitivity and strength of characterisation which highlights the real skill of this particular writer. Greensides displays an astonishing ability to conjure up an entire background and history to his characters while sometimes offering what appears to be the briefest glimpse into their life.
    While violence is an ever-present possibility and theme, most of the story occurs on its periphery as the two main characters, Ryan and Nathan, shuffle between personal loyalties, desires and fears. Without either sentimentality or glamour, the descriptive style of the narrative is something approaching sociological poetry - objective, concise, stark and, because of this, heartbreaking. Although there are many instances of this throughout the story, one example in particular illustrates the powerful and immediate impact of this kind of writing.
    Justin, someone already immersed in gang culture, displays an almost sadistic cruelty towards his younger brother, Scott, adopting familiar bullying tactics as he does so. The backdrop to this, however, is the death of their mother and although this detail is understated (hence its force), its traumatic consequences permeate a scene in which 10 year old Scott unwittingly interrupts his brother as he's bringing down Christmas decorations from the loft. Justin has just found an angel which triggers a specific memory of both his mother and his little brother but the plastic figurine also becomes a slightly perverse source of sexual stimulation.
    The psychological complexity of this short scene is staggering. Coaxing his brother into fetching the Christmas tree from the loft, Justin closes the trapdoor shut and disappears into his bedroom with the implicit intention of masturbating over the doll. His frustration and his pain and his confusion collide as he feels 'the place on the right wrist where his mum had once glued her hand back into place.' He presses down until the hand snaps off and in this split second, we feel the agonising weight of emotions which lack any effective outlet for their expression.
    There is a real moral struggle involved as Justin unlocks his brother's makeshift prison and sees Scott 'sat between some boxes and crates full of his parents' stuff, curled upright in the foetal position.' Hugging his brother more tightly than anyone he's ever held before, his sense of remorse extends far beyond the confines of these cramped four walls.
    The detail, care and compassion with which Greensides portrays Justin and Scott is true for all the characters in the book, no matter how they behave in the external world. It's this which marks out Greensides as a writer to watch.
    At its finest, The Distant Sound of Violence combines the sparse realism of a Ken Loach film with the metaphorical resonances of a Graham Greene novel. As a result, Greensides creates an emotive and compelling story which doesn't finish as the book draws to a close but lingers, curious and haunting, in the mind.
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  • Christie Stratos
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Contemporary Fiction Book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I expected great things from this book, and my expectations were met and then blown away. This is not your typical contemporary fiction read - it's much better. You can look forward to literary intelligence, mystery, social critique, and constant ambiance. It's very difficult to predict where the plot and subplots are going, so I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout. There's so much to talk about that I feel the need to use bullet points:

    - The author has a way of making you feel very close to characters you can't necessarily relate to. This can cause an uncomfortable feeling at times - sometimes you're glad you can't relate to them because there's something disturbing about them - but that's what comes of good writing. He draws the reader into each character and their particular plight with no tricks, awkwardness, or "author talking". Just subtle and nonchalant use of POV and in-character, natural-feeling thought processes.

    - The main narrator is not an unreliable narrator, but he says things about the future in very carefully phrased ways that make you think you know what's going to happen to some degree. That narration leads the reader down the wrong path every time, not because the narrator isn't honest, but because he is careful not to give anything away at all. Every time this happened, I thought, "But didn't he say that..." and I was wrong. It was phrased so as to just tell you what you need to know and nothing more. I came to my own conclusions based on that "future talk", but he didn't actually lead me in the wrong direction. That really kept me on my toes.

    - The ending is something you can't guess, and it's really an amazing perspective-changer. I can't say too much on this point, but it really makes the reader look at things from multiple angles of how everything in each person's life could have been completely different if only this one important fact had been known over a decade earlier. This alone makes the whole book a fantastic book club read because of the discussion it spurs.

    - The social critique doesn't bludgeon you, it's weaved into the story in many, many ways, some of which are of some enormity and some of which are very specific and pointed. The amount and the angles of social critique in this book are more discussion points that I would love to talk about in a book group.

    - The narrator doesn't work to separate the reader from the story, even as he guides you along on the journey. Sometimes he just serves to refocus you, sometimes he zooms in on something in particular, but in all cases it's done smoothly and effortlessly. He always feels like a character, not like the author telling you what to focus on.

    - If you're looking for symbolism and metaphors, TDSOV offers that as well. From a figurine to the weather, the author makes sure everything works to bring meaning to the story. Words aren't wasted. If something is mentioned, it's there for a purpose.

    I can't say enough about TDSOV or its author, Jason Greensides! I am eagerly awaiting his next release, which will surely be just as brilliant as this one. We've got a lot to look forward to from this author, and he's just getting started.
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  • Marie Krepps
    4.0 out of 5 stars Coming of age story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I don't often read coming of age stories, but I was glad I decided to pick this one up. An excellent story about how every decision can affect your future and how real friendship doesn't die over time.
    I enjoyed the struggles of the main characters and how we witnessed them grow and learn from them. Equally heartbreaking and enlightening, this is a book I would recommend for teens and adults alike.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Nathan Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great, fast-paced and gripping coming of age tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Hooking you from the opening pages with its vivid characters and pacy narrative, this is a gripping tale of coming of age in early 90's West London.
    The story centers on fifteen year old orphan Ryan, an average kid trying to keep his head down until exams, while at the same time keeping his girlfriend and the conservative-minded aunt he lives with happy. His life is thrown off kilter however, when he is hesitantly drawn into a friendship with Nathan Dawes, a fellow pupil who's oddball mentality, criminal connections and philosophical obsessions have made him a social pariah to anyone but the gang of petty crooks he consorts with.
    Narrated by Ryan, with the wisdom of hindsight as he looks back on events spiraling beyond his control, it is easy to see how he becomes so easily pulled into Nathan's circle; he's a vibrant character with a hapless, lost charm that is as compelling to the reader as it is to Ryan. Nathan is in love with Stephanie, a girl far outside of his league, and he believes Ryan's help is the only thing that can help him win her over and attain him the life he dreams of. Nathan's longing is poignantly described and his earnestness and helplessness in this area resolves Ryan to his cause and us along with him.
    The specter of predeterminism looms over events as the characters navigate the trials of adolescence and Ryan and Nathan find themselves dealing with a heart-wrenching mystery that will haunt them into a no less turbulent adulthood.
    A powerful sense of place and a sharp, nostalgic feel for time pervade the novel and the supporting cast of characters are richly drawn, Stephanie in particular, who might have been a canvas upon which to project Nathan's desires, is depicted with a depth and feeling that makes her at times the most relatable character. Her growth and the development of her relationship with Nathan provides another, moving aspect to an engaging, exciting and thought provoking read that I'd strongly recommend.
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  • Miff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Raw urban drama at its finest.
    Reviewed in Australia on June 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Jason Greensides has taken a microscope to examine the problems facing British youth and created a brilliant tension filled journey. A group of teens with problems as common as exams and first love coupled with more serious social issues such as drug abuse and domestic violence serves as the background for this vividly portrayed story. The theft of a lawnmower will have serious and long lasting consequences for these teens even as adults. The author has created incredibly realistic characters and each of their own lives was totally believable. I could actually see these people and the story as a movie in my head whilst reading, the sign of a great author and their ability to draw the reader in. I thoroughly recommend The Distant Sound Of Violence and I eagerly await Jason's next book.
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  • Miss K Marsden
    5.0 out of 5 stars Distant Sound of Violence
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Growing up in London in the 90's, Ryan has things pretty well, until oddball Nathan Dawes decides he wants him as a mate. Gang culture is around every corner and you have to fight your way out.

    Yes, this book a is a little bit good. I can see why everyone is raving about it.

    It covers some very heavy topics that inevitably go with gang culture, the constant circle of violence, drugs and revenge. It also looks into the backgrounds of the broken individuals, how they get a high, or even a little escape from the abuse they will have to carry for the rest of their lives.

    But this book does not get weighed down in it. It does not go out of its way to glorify these topics, nor does it make villains of them all. It is simply told, mainly from the viewpoints of Ryan and Nathan - you will be hooked.

    Ryan and Nathan are fantastic characters (especially oddball Nathan). I think the opening page says it all, as they chat about a stolen lawnmower - as all good friendships start!
    Nathan in particular has such an endearing feel about him, you can't help but root for him to get the girl and have every success. I also loved his relationship with Aidy, being the very protective big brother for the random lad.

    The first half of the book feels more like a coming of age story, with the characters in a difficult background, and first loves and best friends.
    This smoothly builds to be the perfect platform for a mysterious disappearance, which is absolutely heart-wrenching. It was captivating to see how everyone went on from that point, who got on with their lives, and who didn't.
    The way it concluded was perfect. It wasn't all about a happy ending, it was simply the beginning of the next part of their lives. I also loved how Greensides makes the point that sometimes, simply having an answer is enough.

    Go buy it. Now.
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  • Mrs Wing Yui Greensides
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for a first novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent for a first novel. Very good for all ages groups especially 13 to 18 age groups. Well written funny in places.
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  • Athar Rana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping from start to finish
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    When I first picked up this book I was not sure of how it would go, but it was evident right away from the first chapter it was something that had me hooked. The sheer grittyness of London was explored with very fine detail and the mindset of the characters highly relatable taking me back to my teenage days. Jason Greensides has explored taboo topics here with exceptional ease and deserves much credit for this.

    Exceptional character development allowing me to really identify yourself with each of them. Very well written with many twists which kept me engaged consistently and I completed this book within a day of picking it up! I will definitely be looking forward to the next book and congratulations to the Author on a fantastic debut book.
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