# A Kestrel for a Knave

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/barry-hines/a-kestrel-for-a-knave/9780141903835

![A Kestrel for a Knave](https://quivercdn.com/covers/penguin/barry-hines/a-kestrel-for-a-knave_978-01-4190-383-5.jpg?v=2026-04-23%2020%3A02%3A55)

- Book: [A Kestrel for a Knave](https://www.bookquiver.com/barry-hines/a-kestrel-for-a-knave) ([A Kestrel for a Knave.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/barry-hines/a-kestrel-for-a-knave.md))
- Authors: [Barry Hines](https://www.bookquiver.com/barry-hines)
- Publisher: Penguin
- Medium: ebook
- ISBN: 978-01-4190-383-5
- Published: 2000-05-25
- Language: en_GB
- Binding: E-book

## Description

Life is tough and cheerless for Billy Casper, a disillusioned teenager growing up in a small Yorkshire mining town. Violence is commonplace and he is frequently cold and hungry. Yet he is determined to be a survivor and when he finds Kes, a kestrel hawk he discovers a passion in life. Billy identifies with her proud silence and she inspired in him the trust and love that nothing else can. Intense and raw and bitingly honest, A KETREL FOR A KNAVE was first published in 1968 and was also madeinto a highly acclaimed film, 'Kes', directed by Ken Loach.