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Out of the dark
A special story for the literacy charity Quick Reads, about the healing power of love.
Rob Stone comes back from the horrors of the First World War with a ruined face and a broken heart. Lonely, unable to forget the things he has seen, and haunted by the ghost of his dead Captain, all that Rob has left is a picture of the Captain's family. Rob sets out to find them, hoping that by bringing them the picture, he can bring peace to the Captain's ghost - and to his own troubled heart.
Rob Stone comes back from the horrors of the First World War with a ruined face and a broken heart. Lonely, unable to forget the things he has seen, and haunted by the ghost of his dead Captain, all that Rob has left is a picture of the Captain's family. Rob sets out to find them, hoping that by bringing them the picture, he can bring peace to the Captain's ghost - and to his own troubled heart.
78 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Adèle Geras
190 books137 followersAdèle Geras FRSL (born 15 March 1944) is an English writer for young children, teens and adults. Her husband was the Marxist academic Norman Geras and their daughter Sophie Hannah is also a novelist and poet.
Geras was born in Jerusalem, British Mandatory Palestine. Her father was in the Colonial Service and she had a varied childhood, living in countries such as Nigeria, Cyprus, Tanzania, Gambia and British North Borneo in a short span of time. She attended Roedean School in Brighton and then graduated from St Hilda's College, Oxford with a degree in Modern Languages. She was known for her stage and vocal talents, but decided instead to become a full-time writer.
Geras's first book was Tea at Mrs Manderby's, which was published in 1976. Her first full-length novel was The Girls in the Velvet Frame. She has written more than 95 books for children, young adults, and adults. Her best-known books are Troy (shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize and Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal) Ithaka, Happy Ever After (previously published as the Egerton Hall Trilogy), Silent Snow, Secret Snow, and A Thousand Yards of Sea.
Her novels for adults include: Facing the Light, Hester's Story, Made in Heaven, and A Hidden Life.
Geras won two prizes in the United States, one the Sydney Taylor Book Award for the My Grandmother's Stories and the National Jewish Book Award for Golden Windows. She has also won prizes for her poetry and was a joint winner of the Smith Doorstop Poetry Pamphlet Award, offered by the publisher of that name.
(from Wikipedia)
Geras was born in Jerusalem, British Mandatory Palestine. Her father was in the Colonial Service and she had a varied childhood, living in countries such as Nigeria, Cyprus, Tanzania, Gambia and British North Borneo in a short span of time. She attended Roedean School in Brighton and then graduated from St Hilda's College, Oxford with a degree in Modern Languages. She was known for her stage and vocal talents, but decided instead to become a full-time writer.
Geras's first book was Tea at Mrs Manderby's, which was published in 1976. Her first full-length novel was The Girls in the Velvet Frame. She has written more than 95 books for children, young adults, and adults. Her best-known books are Troy (shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize and Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal) Ithaka, Happy Ever After (previously published as the Egerton Hall Trilogy), Silent Snow, Secret Snow, and A Thousand Yards of Sea.
Her novels for adults include: Facing the Light, Hester's Story, Made in Heaven, and A Hidden Life.
Geras won two prizes in the United States, one the Sydney Taylor Book Award for the My Grandmother's Stories and the National Jewish Book Award for Golden Windows. She has also won prizes for her poetry and was a joint winner of the Smith Doorstop Poetry Pamphlet Award, offered by the publisher of that name.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 26, 2016
Part of the series of quick reads sponsored by Galaxy designed to encourage readers with presumably little confidence to tackle big novels. This was an uplifting story of Rob, a World War One veteran who was suffered bad facial injuries during the conflict. Following his return, he is haunted by the deaths of his comrades and his captain.
As a short story, the book didn't go into much detail about Rob's time in the trenches. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and felt it identified some of the common features of wartime such as post traumatic stress disorder, or shell shock as it was known at the time.
I would like to seek out the full version of this novel in the future. The ending of this shortened version left me wanting more.
As a short story, the book didn't go into much detail about Rob's time in the trenches. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and felt it identified some of the common features of wartime such as post traumatic stress disorder, or shell shock as it was known at the time.
I would like to seek out the full version of this novel in the future. The ending of this shortened version left me wanting more.
June 15, 2020
Before going to the trenches in 1914, Rob Stone was a handsome shop assistant with a job he enjoyed and a sweetheart who he thought he would be with forever.
Coming home from World War I with half his face missing and haunted by not only by the ghost of his commanding officer but of the terrible things that he has seen and heard, Rob just wants his life to return to how it was before. However, this is not possible as he is shunned because of his face by the very people he was fighting for.
Lonely and distraught, Rob sets out to try and fulfil a promise he made to his dead commanding officer in the trenches – to search out the captain’s family and return the picture of them. By doing this he hopes that he can not only bring peace to the captain’s family but to his own troubled mind as well.
Coming home from World War I with half his face missing and haunted by not only by the ghost of his commanding officer but of the terrible things that he has seen and heard, Rob just wants his life to return to how it was before. However, this is not possible as he is shunned because of his face by the very people he was fighting for.
Lonely and distraught, Rob sets out to try and fulfil a promise he made to his dead commanding officer in the trenches – to search out the captain’s family and return the picture of them. By doing this he hopes that he can not only bring peace to the captain’s family but to his own troubled mind as well.
April 8, 2018
This is one of the Quick Reads books that were released to get people reading.
It was a good story about an ex soldier who had a horrendous injury from World War I. How he coped and what happened to him on his return to normal life is the basis of the tale. A fast interesting read.
It was a good story about an ex soldier who had a horrendous injury from World War I. How he coped and what happened to him on his return to normal life is the basis of the tale. A fast interesting read.
November 28, 2019
Out of the Dark can be read in one sitting. Although short, it's long enough to convey an interesting story. It's about piecing together a life after a horrendous war injury.
June 25, 2023
I spent an hour in the library reading this and it was a nice story about the depths of love
April 1, 2015
Before going to the trenches in 1914, Rob Stone was a handsome shop assistant with a job he enjoyed and a sweetheart who he thought he would be with forever.
Coming home from World War I with half his face missing and haunted by not only by the ghost of his commanding officer but of the terrible things that he has seen and heard, Rob just wants his life to return to how it was before. However, this is not possible as is he shunned – because of his face – by the very people he was fighting for.
Lonely and distraught, Rob sets out to try and fulfil a promise he made to his dead commanding officer in the trenches – to search out the captain’s family and return to the a picture of them. By doing this he hopes that he can not only bring peace to the captain’s family but to his on troubled mind as well.
A moving and tragic story but extremely enjoyable – such a shame it was only a short story.
Coming home from World War I with half his face missing and haunted by not only by the ghost of his commanding officer but of the terrible things that he has seen and heard, Rob just wants his life to return to how it was before. However, this is not possible as is he shunned – because of his face – by the very people he was fighting for.
Lonely and distraught, Rob sets out to try and fulfil a promise he made to his dead commanding officer in the trenches – to search out the captain’s family and return to the a picture of them. By doing this he hopes that he can not only bring peace to the captain’s family but to his on troubled mind as well.
A moving and tragic story but extremely enjoyable – such a shame it was only a short story.
October 16, 2015
One thing I love about Quickreads is you never know what kind of short story you'll get and so far the other one I've read this year was really good and with this one it was something I wouldn't normally read as the main character has had his face burnt during the war and his mask scares people.
I wanted to take my time with this book but I wish there was more honestly I deserved to be a full blown book instead.
I will however look into other books by this author.
I wanted to take my time with this book but I wish there was more honestly I deserved to be a full blown book instead.
I will however look into other books by this author.
September 20, 2020
3.5
I have never read Adele Geras before. I actually stay clear from books set in WW1 or WW2 or have any characters that were soldiers. No idea why?
This book has changed that. Rob is facing a new life, that comes with loss, struggles and a mission to accomplish. A well written short story. Shame the book ended so quickly.
I will be on the look out for more Adele Geras books.
I have never read Adele Geras before. I actually stay clear from books set in WW1 or WW2 or have any characters that were soldiers. No idea why?
This book has changed that. Rob is facing a new life, that comes with loss, struggles and a mission to accomplish. A well written short story. Shame the book ended so quickly.
I will be on the look out for more Adele Geras books.
March 1, 2016
The first 'quick read' I've read. And what a worthwhile series, aimed I think at 'reluctant' adult readers. Uplifting story about Rob, facially injured in the trenches. Clear style, strong storyline, some 'difficult' issues, and well developed, in places complex and flawed characters. In only 78 pages, Geras also uses some lovely images eg of London fog and Rob's mask, to develop her themes of identity and self-discovery.
April 25, 2016
Loved the happy ending
February 13, 2018
As I am a service child and I am extremely interested in the war; this short story intrigued me to read further.
The first chapter jumped straight in to the thick of it, which shocked me. However, it then began to tease me further to keep reading.
The main character, Rob Stone, has a job that he thoroughly enjoyed and in a relationship he thought would last forever; how wrong he was. He was drafted to War in 1914, where the platoon he was in began to dwindle fast. As my opening statement suggested, I was shocked as I begun to read but I needed to know more. Gera’s has done the unthinkable in a short story, it is rare that I want to continue reading....this is one of them.
With the teasing of wanting to know how Stone will cope with the life changing disability, being shunned by the people he was fighting for, the loss of his sweetheart and how to full fill his promise to his commanding officer because all he wants is his life to return back to normal.
By trying to full fill his promise to the Captain he is hoping to bring peace to the captains’ family and to his troubled mind. Will this be achieved? Will he find love again? Will he get a job? Who knows!
A very enjoyable short story where Gera has made me believe that I am Stone and accomplishment his journey. I would recommend this read to readers who would enjoy a tragedy; your heart strings being pulled in all directions too, and the pace of the story is perfect.
The first chapter jumped straight in to the thick of it, which shocked me. However, it then began to tease me further to keep reading.
The main character, Rob Stone, has a job that he thoroughly enjoyed and in a relationship he thought would last forever; how wrong he was. He was drafted to War in 1914, where the platoon he was in began to dwindle fast. As my opening statement suggested, I was shocked as I begun to read but I needed to know more. Gera’s has done the unthinkable in a short story, it is rare that I want to continue reading....this is one of them.
With the teasing of wanting to know how Stone will cope with the life changing disability, being shunned by the people he was fighting for, the loss of his sweetheart and how to full fill his promise to his commanding officer because all he wants is his life to return back to normal.
By trying to full fill his promise to the Captain he is hoping to bring peace to the captains’ family and to his troubled mind. Will this be achieved? Will he find love again? Will he get a job? Who knows!
A very enjoyable short story where Gera has made me believe that I am Stone and accomplishment his journey. I would recommend this read to readers who would enjoy a tragedy; your heart strings being pulled in all directions too, and the pace of the story is perfect.
March 14, 2023
*Borrowed from the RVC free library*
⭐️2 stars⭐️
A good, quick read.
It must have been so hard for men returning from the war with facial injuries. Losing people through no fault of their own and feeling they had to hide behind masks so as not to frighten other people. It was nice to have some insight into what they would’ve dealt with.
I was not expecting the topic of prostitution to come up but I think it was handled quite tastefully with more thought to why he went and why she was doing it. The war was hard on many people and both had their reasons.
It was nice to see him being accepted by Eliza near the end. A tea and biscuits and borrowing a book. Relationships definitely seemed simpler back then.
I rated it 2 stars because it was a good read and although I think it could’ve been longer the subject matter was eye opening. The tone of the book could’ve been better but it is accessible for all readers and ages as a quick read which, I believe, is what they were published for.
⭐️2 stars⭐️
A good, quick read.
It must have been so hard for men returning from the war with facial injuries. Losing people through no fault of their own and feeling they had to hide behind masks so as not to frighten other people. It was nice to have some insight into what they would’ve dealt with.
I was not expecting the topic of prostitution to come up but I think it was handled quite tastefully with more thought to why he went and why she was doing it. The war was hard on many people and both had their reasons.
It was nice to see him being accepted by Eliza near the end. A tea and biscuits and borrowing a book. Relationships definitely seemed simpler back then.
I rated it 2 stars because it was a good read and although I think it could’ve been longer the subject matter was eye opening. The tone of the book could’ve been better but it is accessible for all readers and ages as a quick read which, I believe, is what they were published for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2018
Picked this book up yesterday afternoon at my library. Got it as it’s a WW1 fuction, I can’t seem to find that many WW1fictions,. Loved this book read 9 chapters yesterday. Finished it today. Rob Stone, is in the WW1 Trenches , after he finishes his training. He has seen his Captain be killed, then his continues to see the ghost of his dead captain, Rob has the picture from the captains bible., and wants to trace the family in the photo, so he steals the bible as well to keep the picture in to keep it from getting creased. And so continues to try and find the family after WW1 to inform them the captain has died and to give the picture back. I have reaspd a few quick read books many years ago. ,but this little book is wonderfully written and though out by the author. Will be reading more of her books. I can only give 5 stars, but feel in my opinion it is worth a ten star rating.
March 26, 2020
The book is about the healing power of love.. A short story about the a British war survivor Rob Stone who returns from the war front witha ruined face and a broken heart. He is still sees the images of his dead captain whom he had grown close to. He has a picture of the captain's family which he must give to the family, which he believes will give him closure on the war and attain peace with himself.
January 30, 2018
A pleasing book about recovering from the horrors of the First World War. A rather hesitant style which is inevitable due to the careful use of vocabulary and form to ensure the book is a suitable easy read.
December 31, 2022
Honestly, I didn’t expect much from this, and I’m glad to say I was pleasantly surprised. Moving and characterful for such a short read. I would like to see it developed into a full-length novel really!
October 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this short story, I read it in one sitting and would thoroughly recommend it as a quick read.
My reason for 4 stars and not 5 is that it would be a brilliant longer book with more character and plot development.
My reason for 4 stars and not 5 is that it would be a brilliant longer book with more character and plot development.
August 12, 2017
*2.75 wasn't horrible. It was a nice cute short story but I think since this one was so short your missing the depth of the book. It's over before you can connect with the characters.
April 13, 2018
Although a little sentimental for my liking, and featuring an underwhelming ending, this is an atmospheric ghost story and a well-written piece of human drama.
May 6, 2019
I understand this book is written for a special series of short books for reluctant adult reader...too short to carry any depth
June 16, 2019
A good, quick read but a disappointing end.
March 5, 2020
A Quick Read for (UK) World Book Day. Well-written short story.
April 5, 2021
This was a really lovely and uplifting story set after the first world war. For a short story, I really loved the main character and was very much satisfied with how the story ended!
December 25, 2022
A moving story
September 9, 2023
I Really Enjoyed This
Yes U Could Read It Very Quick
But I Savoured It Over A Week
Highly Recommended
Yes U Could Read It Very Quick
But I Savoured It Over A Week
Highly Recommended
November 3, 2023
Short simple book
June 4, 2025
Such an engaging story but very short. I also felt that there was not enough closure at the end of the story.
May 12, 2016
Out of the dark by Adele Geras is such a charming little book although a little grim at times it made me want to continue looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. Rob Stone is such a believable character he could be someone we have all met in passing as he feels so familiar. I would definitely check out more Adele Geras books perhaps a longer book as I wish her short short was a little bit longer than short story.
February 6, 2017
Thiswas a lovely read, I'm really glad I picked this up in the library this afternoon. Set during and after the Great War it reminded me of Louisa Young's My Dear I Wanted to Tell You. At only 78 pages it's perfect as a coffee/tea break read and definitely makes me want to try more by the author.
February 6, 2016
This was a short story from my library book group book one of two given this month. Bit too short for me but a nice story about a young man returning from the war having to wear a mask has his face was blown. He has quite a few knock backs but was then offered a job and things seem to turn it's quite moving in places but would have liked it to go further .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews