You should read it again! I reckon it gets better every time.
I know what you mean about the characters. They're just trying to respond normally to the world around them... I do love Irie's solution to Millat's turning to religion...
And Joshua Chalfen, when he leaves home...
I live right by Glastonbury, you know. "Oh, he's gone down to Glastonbury with some friends..." "Marcus, pull yourself together! The festival was three months ago!" And Archie, just sitting there in the middle of these little wars. "I'd like to go and sit on a hill on my own..." or something, wasn't it? Everyone thought he was mad, but he'd only said it because of a letter he'd had from Horst Ibelgaufts.
I can't believe how much of this I can still remember! I lent the book to a woman at the hotel where I work, and she's taking ages (well it is her second language).
*~Pips~*