This House is Haunted by John Boyne

This House is Haunted
by John Boyne

I have read quite a few novels by John Boyne and he never fails to disappoint. He has written modern fairy tale (Noah Barleywater Runs Away, The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket), war stories (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Stay Where You Are and Then Leave, The Absolutist), short story collections, and many other titles, and now he has tackled the ghost story genre. Not only a ghost story, but set in the 19th Century, so competing with Charles Dickens. The author even brings in Mr Dickens to make a short cameo appearance, where he is reading one of his ghost stories on stage in front of an excitingly expectant audience.

This story follows 21-yr-old Eliza Caine, primary school teacher, living with her ill father in fog-ridden London. A trip to the theatre in wet cold conditions worsens his illness and he dies. Eliza dreams of starting a new life somewhere, hoping it may bring her happiness and love. She spots an advert for a governess in Norfolk, and she leaps at this opportunity. However, the job at the stately manor calls for more stamina, determination, strength and courage than she could have possibly had imagined. Five out of the six previous governesses have come to a grisly end in very suspicious circumstances, and Eliza battles to overcome attempts on her life from invisible forces within the house.

If you liked The Woman in Black, and The Turn of the Screw, then you will love this.

Stay Where You Are, & Then Leave by John Boyne

Stay Where You Are & Then Leave
by John Boyne

We'll probably see an abundance of stories and biographies set during the First World War over the next year, as of course 2014 marks its centenary. Add to that the fact that there are many war stories for children on the market already. They can learn so much more by reading these books than I ever did in my boring History lessons at school. There is War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, Soldier Dog by Sam Angus, The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett, and many others. Including this one.

I love John Boyne's writing. He writes both for adults and children. You'll probably have heard of his most famous - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which was turned into a film. 'Stay Where You Are & Then Leave' is about Alfie. On Alfie's 5th birthday, his dad signs up to fight in the First World War. His last memory of him is seeing him stride proudly into their living room in full uniform, and his mother and grandmother bursting into tears and running out the room. His mother lets him read the letters his father sends back, but after a while she begins to hide them away from him, and after that the letters seem to stop altogether. Alfie's mother tells him his father is on a secret mission and is not allowed to get in touch with them. Alfie thinks this is code for his father is dead. But then he accidentally stumbles across some information which makes it apparent his mother is holding an even bigger secret from him about his father.

This is a touching book about the innocence of a young boy trying to understand the horrors of war, about conscription, of conscientious objectors and white feathers, and of mental illnesses caused by the war which were not taken seriously during that period. A wonderful, educational read.

Look out for my next review on another book about the First World War - 'When the Guns Fall Silent'.

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
by John Boyne

Barnaby was born with a peculiar ability - to float! His parents were understandably shocked at this, but being normal people with normal lives and normal other children, they were angry with Barnaby for not being normal. They take drastic action. They cut a hole in the sandbags that Barnaby wears to keep him on the ground, and off he floats. One adventure after another comes his way, often starting out badly, but he always encounters people who, like hime, have been cast aside by their family for not being normal. Regardless of the terrible thing his parents have done to him, Barnaby still loves them and aches to return home. But when his wish comes true and it is discovered he may be able to be cured of his peculiar ability, he starts to wonder whether it is better to be yourself than something someone else wants you to be.

A beautiful and heartbreaking story of what 'being normal' actually means.

The Absolutist by John Boyne

The Absolutist
by John Boyne


Written by the author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, this is another war story, but this time the First World War. Tristan Sadler feels he has something wrong with him because he has different feelings from other men. He commits an act which finds him cut off from his family and best friend. He lies about his age and enters the Army at age 17, with the last words his father uttered to him ringing in his ears - "I hope you get shot by the Germans". He befriends Will and they form a very close bond, but Will's feelings towards Tristan and the war itself change, with devastating results. We discover the events as Tristan tells them to Will's sister after the war has ended.

Another emotional story from John Boyne about the dramatic and life-changing events of the time, both for the servicemen and civilians.