Candy (Kevin Brooks novel)

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Candy is a 2005 novel by Kevin Brooks about a teenager named Joe Beck who lives in the suburbs of London.

[edit] Plot summary

The story opens when Joe Beck - from a single parent family, a music lover and with a knack for curiosity - meets sixteen year old Candy on the streets of London. He soon learns that Candy is not only a runaway from her home town, but also a teenage prostitute and heroin addict. He also immediately becomes infatuated with her.

The pair begins a cautious relationship, traveling to the London Zoo and meeting for meals occasionally. However, Candy's pimp, Iggy, feels that Joe Beck is a threat, worrying that Joe will reduce the business Candy takes in and thus reducing Iggy's income. When Joe finds Candy beaten, the pair attacks Iggy and leaves the city to hide and ease Candy off heroin.

Iggy subsequently kidnaps Joe's older sister and uses her as a bargaining chip, claiming to plan to return her if Candy is returned to him. The novel climaxes when Iggy, Candy, Joe, his sister and his sister's boyfriend encounter one another at the family's remote country house. Candy shoots

Iggy in the neck and the main story concludes. The last chapter briefly explains that Joe's band received a record deal and had recorded Joe's song that he had written for Candy. Joe was not at all upset by this. The book concludes when Joe visits Candy, who is at rehab.

[edit] Characters

Joe Beck : young, naive and caring Joe is the books hero.

Candy : A young prostitute and runaway Candy is addicted to heroin and befriends Joe.

Iggy : Candy's pimp Iggy controls Candy's life, using her addiction as a tool. He is a violent man, bent on destroying Candy and Joe's new life as friends

Gina : Joe's older sister. She cares and worries for Joe but is supportive of his relationship with Candy.

Mike : Gina's fiance. He provides Joe with many favours through his inside connections in his Djing hobby.