Coming Home

by Jim Eldridge

A gripping first-hand account of life at home after World War One. When underage soldier, Joe Henry, returns from the war in 1918, the England that he comes home to is very different from the one he left behind. His father is injured and the Spanish flu is raging... Joe may have survived World War One, but the danger isn't over yet.

Genres: War

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Jim Eldridge is the author of many books for children, including titles in the My Story series, the Warpath books, and How to Handle Grown-Ups. He has had 250 TV scripts broadcast in the UK and internationally for children's and teen television, and is also the creator and writer of Radio 4's long-running comedy-drama series, King Street Junior.

Reviews

[Kash Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming, sad at times, story based on history. Yes it was short and I read it in two days. But still good. I wouldn't say it's my favourite (mainly for it's length) but I would still recommend.

[evangeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a short, well-written and informative insight to post-war Britain in 1918. From the perspective of Joe Henry, a thirteen-year-old boy who fought on the front after lying about his age, the story follows him as he returns home to an unforgiving father, the Spanish Flu and a changed world. What engaged me to this story was the idea that even once the war was over, it wasn't really over. Joe Henry is an example of many boys/men who returned from war and entered another one of different sorts. Joe has to try and mend his broken relationship with his father, whilst protecting his family from poverty and the deadly epidemic at the time.
The novella is well written, with simple language and a fast paced narrative. My only criticism is that I sort of wish it was longer! (some parts could have really benefitted from a little more description and depth)
I bought this book from a museum in London for about £5 and would highly recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested in wartime Britain.

[Gregory Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to gain a better understanding of life in Britain post WW1 and found it to be quite helpful. A lot has been written, both fiction and non-fiction about the Great War itself, but not so much about picking up the broken pieces to rebuild. This is especially pertinent in the context of surviving the war but not holding on to life for those who succumbed to the global Spanish Flu epidemic. A short but informative resource.

[19SueT · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was alright, it was quite short and was it was quite easy to read. The storyline was good and interesting. It is about an underage boy who goes to war, to get his father back, without telling his mum and he needs to get back home but the war was tougher than he imagined.

[Alice English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative insight into post war Britain in 1918, when the main character joe Henry returns home from the front; following the armistice.