Noughts & Crosses

Thought-provoking and compelling, Noughts & Crosses takes the timeless premise of forbidden love and sets it in Albion, a segregated society where light-skinned noughts are suppressed by the ruling black Crosses. When Sephy, the Cross daughter of a government official, falls in love with her nought housekeeper’s son, Callum, the power of love and optimism of youth are put to the ultimate test.

White, working-class and, by default, inconsequential, Callum struggles to improve his lot in a country where the education system, welfare state and government unapologetically favour Cross advancement. From her privileged vantage point Sephy struggles to empathise but, as their relationship develops, she begins to appreciate the danger and disillusionment of Callum’s world.

Racism is at the heart of this searing alternative history. However, themes of terrorism, class, politics and relationships are all addressed too; seamlessly woven into a narrative that never feels overloaded. Above all, Noughts & Crosses is a brilliantly conceived, edgy thriller with a gripping story that has won the admiration and adoration of readers around the world.

Introduced by Benjamin Zephaniah and illustrated by Kingsley Nebechi, this stunning new Folio Society edition of Noughts & Crosses showcases Malorie Blackman’s award-winning thriller set in a reimagined Western society.

Bound in printed and blocked textured paper
Set in Galliard with Moonshot display
376 pages
Frontispiece plus 6 colour illustrations
Illustrated part-titles
Printed endpapers
Blocked slipcase
9½″ x 6¼″