The Lost Boy

by John Little, Claire Ball (Illustrator)

In 1907 a nine year old boy went missing, with no food or equipment, on the Lake District fells. His disappearance made national headlines. He came of age in time to serve during the First World War, and it is a reasonable leap of imagination to think that he might have got lost again, but this time in the deserts of Iraq. This is the story of a boy who kept turning left, and for good reason, when he really should have turned right, which would have changed his fate entirely. Life hinges on such choices. Based on real evidence, a true story, and actual events, this tale weaves Tom Martindale's life into plausible history; it also retells more closely, the story of The Hero of the Fells, a boy once so famous that he featured on picture postcards.A story of Westmorland, of Penrith and Cumberland and of Mesopotamia, in telling of Tom's ordeal, it picks out the grit, the directness, the honour and honesty, as well as the doggedness, determination and courage embedded in the local character.It does have plenty of lessons for a wider audience as well, mostly of an ordinary lad thrown, as so many were, into extraordinary circumstances.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2020

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Reviews

[David Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Boy, by John Little, is an entertaining novel of historical fiction, based on a legendary story of the Fells in 1907 and written with meticulous research and personal experience. The author captures, the at times, harsh climate of the Fells, and the beautiful scenery of the Dales, and gives an insight into dialect and the day to day lives of the Lakeland villagers and their families.
I like the way the author goes back and forth in time, increasing the tension until the dramatic climax, and the way he has captured the atmosphere is memorable.
The sketches are delightful, a map of the area would have been a bonus.
I enjoyed reading The Lost Boy and could imagine the novel being part of the local school’s curriculum. Highly recommended.
David Thomas Kay: Author

[dorothy cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read.

This book tells the story of Tommy Martingdale who aged 9 was lost on the fells for 5 days.
A blend of fact and fiction finds Tommy lost in the desert of Mesopatania in WW1.
This is very well written and is a good story.
Well done John marra.