Home Boys

by Alex Wheatle

'Alex Wheatle writes from a place of honesty and passion with the full knowledge and understanding that change can only happen through words and actions' - Steve McQueen

Four schoolchildren decide to run away from the the horrors of their everyday lives in a children's home. Seeking asylum in the woods, they enjoy the exhilaration of freedom and the first flush of adolescence. Yet the forest slowly asserts its own power and what happens out in the wild will affect the four boys' lives forever.

With his compelling narrative directness, rhythmic prose, and trademark humour, Alex Wheatle shows himself to be an author of real calibre, exposing the social stigma associated with children's homes, and the horrifying psychological consequences of their impact on children at the most sensitive stage.

Never losing pace or failing to engage the reader at every moment, Home Boys is an unflinchingly honest depiction of disrupted childhoods.

240 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2023

About the author

Alex Alphonso Wheatle was a British novelist, who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment after the 1981 Brixton riot in London.

Reviews

[Carol Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing tale of young boys who are all living in the care home system and nothing seems to faze them although there is an undercurrent of disturbing happenings in the background. These boys however are typical of the era and loved playing out and making their own adventures albeit sometimes being a little bit naughty. They decide that the Childrens Home isn't for them and make a break for freedom which when it comes is a lot scarier than they thought. I loved the bit where they stole golfers balls and couldn't stop giggling when watching them look for them but it wasn't all laughs and the way Alex Wheatle has written this book with all the funny and endearing things about the children there was a sad and brutal undercurrent.
I think I went through every emotion possible whilst reading this book and was bereft when I got to the end.
Thank you to Nudge for my copy of the book.

[David Peat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

Story of deep friendship cultivated in the children homes of the 70s where abuse and stereotyping ripped lives apart. A redemption story of survival and the impact of suffering. Also funny and brilliant.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful book with an ending to get you thinking. Personally, not as powerful as his other books I've read. Still an awesome author.
Read it!

[Rhona Hurley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Likeable characters who are easy to root for, with heartbreaking themes. But, I was expecting more of a “lord of the flies” type novel, and felt this lacked the adventurous and gripping middle chapters that it needed

[Thomas Sundal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book.
Tom Sawyer meets the Lord of the Flies. But also so much more.

[Anna Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. It engaged so many feelings: shock, anger, sadness, dark humor ...
a strong and poignant story of comradeship, loyalty, friendship and the struggle to navigate through painful shared childhood experience.

[Jess Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well the start was shocking and the rest of the story didn't disappoint at all. A story about friendship, trauma, society.