A Kestrel For A Knave

Hines writes much of the book in a Yorkshire vernacular, ensuring the characters’ dialogue is authentic even if it confuses what’s being said. What impact does this writing choice have on the story?

Compare and contrast Billy and Jud, who often act as foils. How do their differences serve the novel’s themes? What does it mean that they sleep in the same bed, even when furious with each other?

How does Hines characterize Billy’s mother? What does her characterization, and the way others treat her, convey about broader gender dynamics within working-class communities?