Plot
Martha is different to the other children. Her parents are devout members of a strict religious group called The Righteous, and they have no television or computer and her clothes are hand-made. She is bullied and tormented by the other children. Her family also has a deeply shameful secret, and every day when Martha comes home from school, one of her responsibilities is to go to the cellar. Because this is where the family keep Abomination.
Discover more about Robert Swindells
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Author – Robert Swindells
Love Reading 4 Kids – Robert Swindells
ACHUKA interview with Robert Swindells
Authorgraph with Robert Swindells
Themes – universal ideas
Coming of age, human rights, intolerance, isolation, loyalty, outcasts, religion, rights and responsibilities.
More to explore – motifs, symbols, context, setting
Bible, bullying, child abuse, corporal punishment, friendship, helplines, homemade clothes, lies, monsters, postcards, Raggedy Ann, secrets, sisters, Sundays, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Did you know?
Postcards are the only way that Mary can try to stay in touch with Martha. Before everyone had a phone, postcards were incredibly popular, and millions were sent every year. People would send a postcard in the same way you would send a text now. There were several deliveries a day, so you could send a postcard in the morning and it would be received by tea time.
The Righteous’ Pastor delivers a sermon based on the Book of Esther from the Old Testament. Esther tells the story of a Jewish girl who becomes queen of Persia and manages to persuade her husband that he should save her people from their enemies. The Jewish celebration of Purim is linked to this story.
Further reading
Discover these titles and more
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If you enjoyed Abomination, try these titles:
Wonder by R.J. Palacio tells the story of Auggie, who has severe facial disfigurement, when he goes to school for the first time. Library copies available.
The passionflower massacre by Nicola Morgan is about a woman visiting a man connected with her daughter’s death. Library copy available.
Worm in the blood by Thomas Bloor describes another family with a secret. Library copy available.
Several books are mentioned by Scott and Martha. Martha is allowed to read classics such as
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Alice is bored until she sees a white rabbit rushing past worrying about the time. Surprised and curious, she follows him, and ends of up in a very strange place. The Library has copies of the original novel and a graphic novel version adapted by Martin Powell.
Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott is the story of four sisters growing up in 19th century Massachusetts. Library copy available.
Scott also mentions author, Pete Johnson, who has now written more than 50 books for young people of all ages.
Diary of an (un)teenager by Pete Johnson. Spencer doesn’t want to be a teenager, even though he’s 13. HIs friends want girlfriends, skateboards and cool clothes but he’s still into Warhammer. Library copy available.
Literacy and Language
Scott mentions that he likes Point Horror. These books were published between 1991-2000 and over 7 million copies were sold in Britain. The stories were American, very scary and incredibly popular with teenagers.
The Point Horrors are only one clue that Robert Swindells was writing in the 1990s. Do you think this makes the book feel out of date, or do you think it doesn’t matter?
Martha and her sister, Mary, are named after sisters in the Bible. Luke 10:38-42 says that Jesus was invited in by Martha who rushed around making dinner and worrying that everything was prepared, while her sister, Mary, sat and listened to Jesus talking.
An abomination is something you hate or think is disgusting. What do you think is the abomination in this book?
Numeracy
Time is important to Martha. She is constantly trying to work out how much time she has before her parents return in the evenings or how long she can be away at the shops.
Martha meets Scott at the shops before going to the café and then heading home. Can you estimate how long she might have been out of the house?
Health and Wellbeing
Both Scott and Martha are bullied by the rest of their class, but they refuse to tell their parents or teachers what is happening to them.
Why do you think they do that?
Where could Scott and Martha have gone for help?
Rights Respecting Schools
There are many obvious examples of terrible abuse in this novel.
Which articles from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child can you identify being broken?
The UNCRC also says governments have a responsibility to prevent children being hurt. What do you think could have been done in this case?
Developing the Young Workforce
When this book was written in 1998, the internet was only 5 years old so Scott’s abilities in using it are actually quite impressive.
How important do you think it is to keep up with technology for your future success?
