by Ian McEwan
First published 1994
Peter sits in his bedroom, his mind already miles away from the ordinary world around him. The ten-year-old boy has perfected the art of mental escape, conjuring up adventures that range from romantic encounters with famous actresses to life-or-death struggles with predatory sharks. His family watches from the sidelines, unable to penetrate the rich fantasy life that consumes more and more of his attention. Each daydream becomes more intricate than the last, pulling Peter deeper into worlds of his own creation. His parents and siblings grow concerned as Peter drifts further from their shared reality. The boy who once participated in family dinners and conversations now seems present in body only. Peter faces a choice between the limitless possibilities of his imagination and the messy, imperfect relationships that anchor him to real life. McEwan captures the intoxicating pull of fantasy and the painful moment when a child realizes that growing up means learning to balance dreams with reality.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, fantasy, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: coming-of-age, escapism, found-family
Period: 20th-century
Paperback · Scholastic