FLOW

‘Flow’ is a feel good story for older children and young adults and, as the title suggests it is set around a river, the Torridge, in ‘Tarka’ country. Its central protagonist is Chris Hobbs a dyslexic boy who loves to roam the area surrounding the river and his home town of Torrington.

These wanderings are an escape for Chris who lives in a deprived home and is bullied at school. His dyslexia is a barrier to his schoolwork but not to knowledge. He is bright and picks up new skills very quickly. His understanding of the wildlife in the area is very sound and he makes friends with some of the riverside residents.

His life has been one of flowing with his circumstances, and in accepting the role of the victim. All this changes when he meets his new friend Ben who has Down’s syndrome.

Ben’s family accept Chris into their house where he secretly brings in a package that he has found hidden by the river. The contents of which put the boys in danger. In the meantime the boys become local heroes following a dramatic rescue.

A warm sense of humour from a true friendship runs through the narrative. The idea of risk, trust and consequences continues for Chris into their brief spell of fame. However, this publicity makes him worried about his friend.

The story follows the developing friendship and the outcome leading Chris to challenge his situation. The influence of Ben and his family give him a newly found confidence, which rubs off on those closest to him breaking the final bonds to Chris Hobbs' old life.