by John Boyne
First published 2013
Nine-year-old Alfie Summerfield shines shoes at King's Cross Station when he learns his father, who left to fight in World War I four years ago, is in a nearby hospital being treated for shell shock. Alfie must find a way to visit his father and bring him home, despite the hospital's restrictions and his mother's efforts to shield him from the horrors of war. In this poignant tale, a child's unwavering love confronts the grim realities of combat trauma. Fans of Tana French and Kate Atkinson will appreciate the intimate, slow-burn exploration of family, identity, and the lingering wounds of war. With a deft touch, the story builds quiet tension as Alfie navigates the complexities of adult deception and his own dawning understanding of his father's invisible injuries. Ultimately, this is a story of resilience, as a young boy refuses to give up on the father he loves.
Genres: family, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, war
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, resilience
Setting: Great Britain, England, London (England)
Period: 20th century, George V, 1910-1936
256 pages · Paperback · Square Fish
Content warnings: mental-illness, war