The Boy from Nowhere

by Rosie Goodwin

A powerful and moving new novel from this well-loved writer

Alex never stood a chance. After one 'accident' too many, he's taken into care aged four. Although his mother promises to get him back, he's adopted by a childless couple and renamed Franky. It should be a fresh start, but his new dad has a twisted idea of fatherhood. Abused and alone, Franky escapes - but his freedom is short-lived, and after a series of foster homes no one can get through to him. He says he's 'the boy from nowhere', but deep down he's still waiting for his mum to take him home.

Franky slips into a dangerous world on the streets of London, earning a living the only way he can. One day he might find a way out, but can he ever trust again?

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Before becoming a writer, I was a Placement Support Worker and foster carer, and worked in the social services department after completing a teacher training course. Many children have joined my family over the years. I still live in Nuneaton, where many of my books are set, with my husband, Trevor, and our beloved dogs.

I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!

Reviews

[Tilly Thornton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just far too sad and really not in an enjoyable way. There was far too little lightness to balance out the sadness and trauma and so I found it really hard to get through. It dealt with incredibly difficult subject matter - child abuse, sexual abuse and suicide to name only a few - and it really needed some trigger warnings because this would definitely trigger some people.
Can see why people rate it highly, it is harrowing and definitely thought-provoking, but just a bit too much for me.

[Kerry Buckfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense and well written

[H LLOYD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Sammie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My main issue with this book, and the one which makes me stop at 2 stars, is the quantity of cliches it contains. I got sick of hearing phrases and similes that are worn out and tired.

My second problem with this book was that when the feelings and thoughts of a child were described, they were described in an adult tone, which I think spoils the emotion. To see through a child's eyes you need to hear a child's voice in your head, and when the words are clearly adult you can't do this.

The twist in the tale was presented in a weak manor for my liking. It wasn't the 'Oh My God' moment that it should have been.

For all its faults, I could not say that I didn't like this book. I cared so much about Franky, and so desperately wanted things to work out for him, that I kept on reading. The ending was sad, but concluded everything neatly. As you see Franky's world get worse and worse, and trip from disaster to disaster, you really care for him - and that is what makes this book worth reading.

One final note. I was not prepared for the graphic descriptions of abuse this book contains, though perhaps I should have been from the cover. Be warned - it is unsensored.

[Jade Hoyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down from the moment i started reading it. The tale of this troubled and unfortunate young boy is heartbreaking. After reading it i realized how many people you would pass in the street and not know a thing about their life, they can laughing with friends or just waiting for a bus and you can not tell if they have led a tortured life or a normal life. People hide their feelings and you cannot see through unless they let you.

The only problem i had with this book is the writer repeats herself quite alot, 'he rolled the word round in his head' and 'she fastened the belt on her dressing gown' are just to name a couple, 'The way she/he saw it' is repeated frequently too.

Overall i absolutely loved this book and was gripped until the very end....in fact i still am..

[Heba · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had to choose a word to describe the feelings I had while reading this book, heart-ache would be the only one that could come even remotely close to what I'm looking for. I have read sad books before, but this was way more than "just" sad. I couldn't even cry because of the intense feelings the story stirred up in me.

I do not really know what to say. It's an amazing book. So much so that I do not know if I can touch any of Goodwin's other books yet (this was my first), because I'm afraid of what they might do to my heart.

If you are looking for a light summer read, then this might not be your cup of tea. However, if you are looking for a book that'll leave an impact, then try this out - it might be just what you're looking for.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this genre of book is my guilty pleasure! every so often i'll dig into one of these books and love every minute, and this one was no exception. the story of Alex/Franky is really deep and powerful and something which struck a chord in myself. although parts of the book are quite graphic, i think that this adds to the plot and is necessary to show the progression of the characters. the relationships which develop in the story are complex and detailed, with emotion and thought. without spoiling anything, the ending was, although expected, very moving and nearly had me crying on the bus!!!

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally and utterly heartbreaking. Its an account of abuse, the social care system in the U.K and utter despair although with some hints at human kindness and warmth in places. There are some fairly descriptive abuse scenes but they are very tastefully done, if that is the way to word it.I love that the author didn't buckle into a happy ending as life isn't like that at times, but I was not expecting how it did end in a million years. The writing is brilliant and really pulls you in to Alex's/ Frankies world, with ever changing scenarios and settings. Loved it. x

[Mavis Hutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The boy from nowhere by Rosie Goodwin

I chose this rating because as with all of Rosie's books. It was brilliantly written a real page turner. It was very sad at times and brutal at times. As with Rosie I cried for Alex/ Franky he was real to me. I have read all of Rosie's books now and can't wait for the next one
Mavis Hutt.

[PAULINE HARRIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartrending story, it made me cry. Very believable, novel and characters.

[Jocelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought this would be excellent, if upsetting, but already am slightly disappointed with the writing skill level.

Having finished this, was disppointed in it and the writing level.

[Roslin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking book, but very well written loved it

[Mrs B Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different For rosie

Quite an upsettingbook. Different from other books I have read of Rosie,s. It is obvious to me th a t she has drawn on her previous work with social services.

[jan koutris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story

This story had me hooked from page 1, I couldn't wait for the opportunity to go to bed and read, I could imagine every character in my mind's eye and Alex's plight saddened me to the core, found myself tutting and grimacing throughout the story, the sadness I felt resulted in me crying towards the end of the book and really not wanting to read on to the last page, what a compelling story, I am a big fan of Rosie's books but this is my absolute favourite by far, totally gripped and have a heavy heart whilst writing this as I have just finished reading it, 5 stars and now will look for another of Rosie's books, but fear this one will stay with me for a long time

[Beverley Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a heartbreaking page turner for me. Not a book for the faint hearted as it describes scenes of abuse graphically. My heart went out to Alex/franky and the horrors he went through. He did this however with sheer grit and courage. There were moments of happiness in between.Sadly they were not to last. This will have you gripped right to the very end..

[debbie styler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderfully written

I enjoyed this book from the very first page. It gripped my heart,and Alex actually did come to be part of me,what a poor boy ,to go through such a rotten life,Rosie you are one amazing author, well done DoD

[Siobhán Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now read 3 of her books this year and I can not wait to find more. I have always found myself favoring abuse story books and this one was one of the books I could not put down. Such an amazing writer.

[maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Absolutely loved it, made me laugh cry and couldn't put it down, best book I have ever read. Highly recommended

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

This is a story about a little boy who was very badly treated as a child. It is sad when people treat children badly.

[michaela harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read

This book was brilliant contained a lot of heartache but some happiness too definately recommend reading!. Have tissues to hand though!

[Linda Darke · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is excellent, I enjoyed this, even given the difficult subject matter. What a super author she is.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed parts of this book very much, but some things just became too much, overstretching the bounds of coincidence and being just too, too sad.

[Susan Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

The boy from nowhere

Fantastic as are all her books I've read nearly all her books and they are all addicted can't wait for next release

[Brianna Parr · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tragic story, and written very well. I just wish that in the end he didn't have to kill himself because of accidental incest. It seemed a bit much to me considering all he's been through.

[Karen Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not from nowhere

I really enjoyed this book.Hoping for happiness to reach him through his young life but everything was smashed away from him powerful heart wrenching story

[Sue Hickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad story .😅

[Dawn Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of three children, twins Natasha and Lauren, and their older brother Alex, who were taken away from their mother after one too many accidents and put into care.
Although throughout the book you find out what became of the twins the main of the story is about Alex and the things life threw at him, the ups and downs of his life after being adopted.
This is a very powerful story and I must admit that I shed a tear at the end