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The Boy with No Shoes
Five-year-old Jimmy Rova is the unwanted child of a mother who rejects him, and whose other children bully him. The one thing he can call his own is a pair of shoes, a present from the only person he feels has ever loved him. When they are cruelly taken away, Jimmy spirals down into a state of loneliness and terrible loss from which there seems no recovery. This triumphant story of a boy's struggle with early trauma and his remarkable journey into adulthood is based on William Horwood's own remarkable childhood in south-east England after the Second World War. Using all the skills that went into the creation of his modern classics, Horwood has written an inspiring story of a journey from a past too painful to imagine to the future every child deserves.
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2004
15 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
William Horwood
43 books252 followersWilliam Horwood is an English novelist. His first novel, Duncton Wood, an allegorical tale about a community of moles, was published in 1980. It was followed by two sequels, forming The Duncton Chronicles, and also a second trilogy, The Book of Silence. William Horwood has also written two stand-alone novels intertwining the lives of humans and of eagles,
The Stonor Eagles and Callanish
, and The Wolves of Time duology. Skallagrigg, his 1987 novel about disability, love, and trust, was made into a BBC film in 1994. In addition, he has written a number of sequels to
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame.
In 2007, he collaborated with historian Helen Rappaport to produce Dark Hearts of Chicago, a historical mystery and thriller set in nineteenth-century Chicago. It was republished in 2008 as City of Dark Hearts with some significant revisions and cuts under the pen name James Conan.
In 2007, he collaborated with historian Helen Rappaport to produce Dark Hearts of Chicago, a historical mystery and thriller set in nineteenth-century Chicago. It was republished in 2008 as City of Dark Hearts with some significant revisions and cuts under the pen name James Conan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 15, 2016
Brilliantly narrated
Reading my way through this book was like walking through a hall of mirrors at a fairground. Every turn revealed a new reflection of an aspect of my own childhood. Some were distorted more than others, but the story of the life of Jimmy Rova, told in the first person singular, evoked many poignant memories.
Jimmy tells the story of his difficult early life, and the interactions with those around him. When he progresses, against the odds, into grammar school, life gets even tougher for him. The descriptions of the highs and lows in his life cannot fail to stir the readers' emotions. This is a gripping read and it is so obviously wrapped around the personal experiences of the author. Having been previously so deeply moved by "Skallagrigg," I should not have been at all surprised to be just as deeply moved by this book by William Horwood.
I am sure that there are many who, like me, will see reflections of their own lives as they read The Boy With No Shoes. However, there has got to be something here for everyone. I would not hesitate to recommend the read to anyone, and I am confident that my friends will thank me for doing so.
Footnote: If this sweeps you along on an emotional roller-coaster, you should definitely read SKALLAGRIGG by the same author.
Reading my way through this book was like walking through a hall of mirrors at a fairground. Every turn revealed a new reflection of an aspect of my own childhood. Some were distorted more than others, but the story of the life of Jimmy Rova, told in the first person singular, evoked many poignant memories.
Jimmy tells the story of his difficult early life, and the interactions with those around him. When he progresses, against the odds, into grammar school, life gets even tougher for him. The descriptions of the highs and lows in his life cannot fail to stir the readers' emotions. This is a gripping read and it is so obviously wrapped around the personal experiences of the author. Having been previously so deeply moved by "Skallagrigg," I should not have been at all surprised to be just as deeply moved by this book by William Horwood.
I am sure that there are many who, like me, will see reflections of their own lives as they read The Boy With No Shoes. However, there has got to be something here for everyone. I would not hesitate to recommend the read to anyone, and I am confident that my friends will thank me for doing so.
Footnote: If this sweeps you along on an emotional roller-coaster, you should definitely read SKALLAGRIGG by the same author.
July 12, 2018
First of all, I want to state, that I'm totally aware that this book is a personal memoir, about a man, his childhood, and the pain that he needlessly suffered during that time. I'm not sure I could say this read was "enjoyable" but it was certainly somewhat inspirational.
The general tone of this book was pretty grim, and at some points in the book, it made for difficult reading. What this person suffered at the hands of adults, the people who are supposed to love and protect him, was truly horrendous. It really does show us how amazingly resilient we are as humans, and how we can get through the other side, with love and support from others.
My problem with this book is the writing style. It was terribly slow and kind of drawn out, so it made things rather tedious for me. That is one of the reasons this one took me so long to get through, the style was tiresome, and it has significantly effected the rating I'm giving for this memoir.
The general tone of this book was pretty grim, and at some points in the book, it made for difficult reading. What this person suffered at the hands of adults, the people who are supposed to love and protect him, was truly horrendous. It really does show us how amazingly resilient we are as humans, and how we can get through the other side, with love and support from others.
My problem with this book is the writing style. It was terribly slow and kind of drawn out, so it made things rather tedious for me. That is one of the reasons this one took me so long to get through, the style was tiresome, and it has significantly effected the rating I'm giving for this memoir.
September 20, 2022
English version below
*************
Es fällt mir schwer für diese Rezension die richtigen Worte zu finden.
William Horwood hat hier seine Lebensgeschichte aufgeschrieben. Er hat sich selbst jedoch in die Figur Jimmy Rova verpackt, mit der Begründung, dass er damals ein anderer Mensch war als er heute ist.
Die Geschichte seiner Kindheit war ein harter Brocken. Dennoch ist mir nicht klar, ob seine in erster Linie aufs Emotionale fokussierte Erzählung daran liegt, dass er rein aus der Sicht des kleinen Jungen erzählt, der er damals war. Andererseits bricht auch immer wieder ain auktorialer Erzähler durch.
Vielleicht ist der Text auch so wirr und bruchstückhaft, weil er die traumatischen Erlebnisse von damals immer noch nicht verarbeiten konnte. Oder aber er hat diese Erzählform mit Vorsatz gewählt, um zu unterstreichen wie grauenhaft seine Kindheit war.
Wie auch immer. Ich konnte mich in diese Geschichte nicht hineinfinden. Klar, er schreibt hier kein Wohlfühlbuch. Der Text war für mich aber leider nur anstrengend und nicht lohnenswert.
Daher habe ich das Buch nach meinen üblichen 100 Seiten abgebrochen und vergebe 1 Stern wegen Nichtgefallens.
Damit will ich weder die Geschichte noch das Buch in irgendeiner Form abwerten. Ich weise ausdrücklich darauf hin, dass es hier nur darum geht, dass mir persönlich das Buch nicht gefallen hat.
----------------------
I'm having a hard time finding the right words for this review.
William Horwood wrote his life story here. However, he wrapped himself in the character Jimmy Rova on the grounds that he was a different person then than he is now.
His childhood story was a tough one. However, it's not clear to me whether his primarily emotionally focused narrative is due to the fact that he tells it purely from the point of view of the little boy he was at the time. On the other hand, an authorial narrator breaks through again and again.
Maybe the text is so confused and fragmentary because he still couldn't process the traumatic experiences from back then. Or he chose this narrative form on purpose to underline how horrible his childhood was.
However. I couldn't get into this story. Clearly, he's not writing a feel-good book here. Unfortunately, the text was only exhausting and not worthwhile for me.
So I stopped the book after my usual 100 pages and gave it 1 star because I didn't like it.
I don't mean to devalue the story or the book in any way. I would like to point out that the only point here is that I personally didn't like the book.
*************
Es fällt mir schwer für diese Rezension die richtigen Worte zu finden.
William Horwood hat hier seine Lebensgeschichte aufgeschrieben. Er hat sich selbst jedoch in die Figur Jimmy Rova verpackt, mit der Begründung, dass er damals ein anderer Mensch war als er heute ist.
Die Geschichte seiner Kindheit war ein harter Brocken. Dennoch ist mir nicht klar, ob seine in erster Linie aufs Emotionale fokussierte Erzählung daran liegt, dass er rein aus der Sicht des kleinen Jungen erzählt, der er damals war. Andererseits bricht auch immer wieder ain auktorialer Erzähler durch.
Vielleicht ist der Text auch so wirr und bruchstückhaft, weil er die traumatischen Erlebnisse von damals immer noch nicht verarbeiten konnte. Oder aber er hat diese Erzählform mit Vorsatz gewählt, um zu unterstreichen wie grauenhaft seine Kindheit war.
Wie auch immer. Ich konnte mich in diese Geschichte nicht hineinfinden. Klar, er schreibt hier kein Wohlfühlbuch. Der Text war für mich aber leider nur anstrengend und nicht lohnenswert.
Daher habe ich das Buch nach meinen üblichen 100 Seiten abgebrochen und vergebe 1 Stern wegen Nichtgefallens.
Damit will ich weder die Geschichte noch das Buch in irgendeiner Form abwerten. Ich weise ausdrücklich darauf hin, dass es hier nur darum geht, dass mir persönlich das Buch nicht gefallen hat.
----------------------
I'm having a hard time finding the right words for this review.
William Horwood wrote his life story here. However, he wrapped himself in the character Jimmy Rova on the grounds that he was a different person then than he is now.
His childhood story was a tough one. However, it's not clear to me whether his primarily emotionally focused narrative is due to the fact that he tells it purely from the point of view of the little boy he was at the time. On the other hand, an authorial narrator breaks through again and again.
Maybe the text is so confused and fragmentary because he still couldn't process the traumatic experiences from back then. Or he chose this narrative form on purpose to underline how horrible his childhood was.
However. I couldn't get into this story. Clearly, he's not writing a feel-good book here. Unfortunately, the text was only exhausting and not worthwhile for me.
So I stopped the book after my usual 100 pages and gave it 1 star because I didn't like it.
I don't mean to devalue the story or the book in any way. I would like to point out that the only point here is that I personally didn't like the book.
October 27, 2013
This is the most moving book I've read in years. I'm not someone who normally enjoys memoirs but one of my friends insisted on lending me her treasured copy of "The Boy with No Shoes" and I fell in love with it from page one. All the way through this story of William Horwood's childhood, written in the most breathtaking prose, I thought how can a boy with such a harrowing start in life, end up achieving so much in adulthood? It seems that despite his dysfunctional family and bumpy ride educationally, he met some key people who loved, encouraged, supported and, most importantly, believed in him. Having had a late start learning to read, he managed to pass the entry examinations for Grammar School and, later, to university where he obtained a first class honours degree. Those of you who have read his published works, including "Duncton Wood" and "Skallagrigg", will already know of him as an exceedingly gifted and lyrical writer.
If you want to take a ride on an emotional rollercoaster, then "The Boy with No Shoes" is just the book for you. A person who survives a childhood like that deserves a medal for bravery. You will laugh, cry, and rage with him, as well as applaud him for his triumphs and demands of justice for others.
A book for your "must buy" list.
If you want to take a ride on an emotional rollercoaster, then "The Boy with No Shoes" is just the book for you. A person who survives a childhood like that deserves a medal for bravery. You will laugh, cry, and rage with him, as well as applaud him for his triumphs and demands of justice for others.
A book for your "must buy" list.
September 17, 2012
One of the most poignant and moving books I have ever read for a while; one that has helped me put my own childhood into context and given me fresh hope that I might not have been quite as bad or stupid as I was made to feel I was all those years ago. But would I have tried so hard to prove them all wrong if I hadn't had those experiences, who knows?
January 25, 2016
I loved this memoir. It was written like a fairy story about a boy struggling to overcome some evil forces and find a place in the world. Each chapter was like a self contained vignette. The book was quite surreal but had a dark undertone - probably because it was derived from lived experience.
August 14, 2022
“Based on a true story” is a byline always makes me smile. I tend to add “Based on real fiction”, which, for me, seems more accurate. If it’s made up, it’s fiction. If it’s real, it’s documentary. Or perhaps, it ought to be labelled merely “personal”. No one usually accuses the autobiographer of accuracy. In personal memoir, opinion and reaction are what counts. Obvious disrespect for the experience or reality of others merely tells the reader more about the autobiographer.
But what if the writer of memoir deliberately fictionalises elements of the story, or indeed transfers the suggested reality to another person? They have been many - one notable example recently - of a well-known person writing an autobiography in the third person. One can understand this, since public attention can produce a persona that only exists in the media spotlight and that is the person that is publicly known. To create such an autobiography might just be a way of keeping the personal personal, to retain control of a private life which has been just that. But what might one make of an autobiography of a non-public figure who claims the story is only based on his own experience?
The Boy With No Shoes by William Horwood is apparently based on the author’s own life growing up on the Kent Coast near a Ramsgate. This very real town is mentioned freely throughout the text, as are many other locatable places, but the exact location of the boy’s home is fiction. As is the boy’s name, Jimmy Rova. Perhaps the mental illness that affected the family, especially Jimmy’s brother and mother, was also fiction, but I doubt it. Perhaps it, along with the social stigma that the age attached to it, was the prime motivation for wanting to create distance.
Jimmy Rova’s mother features like eminence gris throughout the book. She never really develops as a character. She rarely speaks on her own behalf, is usually antagonistic to the rest of the household and is portrayed as one-dimensionally selfish. Granny, on the other hand, it’s always a source of peace and reconciliation.
The Boy With No Shoes is a book which is hard to begin. Perhaps having no shoes makes it harder to find your feet. Too often in the early pages, the text seems to drift towards the self-pity of recalled abuse, and one is prepared for an endless outpouring of guilt-ridden, unexpressed anger. But the book does veer away from this pitfall and becomes more interested in Jimmy Rova’s experience of childhood. And so The Boy With No Shoes becomes a memoir of childhood and the coming-of-age maturation. And, as such, it becomes worth reading.
William Horwood makes much of the relative poverty of Jimmy Rova’s family. It has to be said, however, that his brother was a boarder in what seems to have been a grammar school of the “direct grant” type, a fee-payer, in other words. And attitudinally, the family was hardly working class. Try this for attitudes to education and peers. Me and the Law said that I had to sit the Eleven Plus examination whatever happened. If I passed I would follow Michael and my future might yet be as golden as his looks set to be, despite my poor start. But if I failed I would go to the second modern school in Upper Stoning and my fate in my future would be worse than death. I would sit in classes with the sons of minors and the daughters of butchers and be taught metalwork instead of mathematics, woodwork instead of English literature. …. Ma wasn’t generally much interested in my education, not in a practical way, but that was one lesson she gave me. The children who came out well like a horde of vandals from Mr. Mee’s encyclopedia. They shouted, they fought, they wore rough clothes and the boys had black boots and dirty hair. Worst of all, they were big and they started me and Ma and what lay behind the eyes was frightening.
And it must be remembered that at the tine about seventy-five per cent of the population were thus branded by this low status education. Not exactly an advertisement for “one nation Conservatism”, was it?
Overall, Jimmy Rova does come through the experience of childhood, despite the fact that his life might just have been ruined by his mother. Whether this is the “no shoes” of the title, and indeed whether Jimmy Rova is real fiction rather than a true story remains open to debate. The Boy With No Shoes is worth reading to find out what you might think.
But what if the writer of memoir deliberately fictionalises elements of the story, or indeed transfers the suggested reality to another person? They have been many - one notable example recently - of a well-known person writing an autobiography in the third person. One can understand this, since public attention can produce a persona that only exists in the media spotlight and that is the person that is publicly known. To create such an autobiography might just be a way of keeping the personal personal, to retain control of a private life which has been just that. But what might one make of an autobiography of a non-public figure who claims the story is only based on his own experience?
The Boy With No Shoes by William Horwood is apparently based on the author’s own life growing up on the Kent Coast near a Ramsgate. This very real town is mentioned freely throughout the text, as are many other locatable places, but the exact location of the boy’s home is fiction. As is the boy’s name, Jimmy Rova. Perhaps the mental illness that affected the family, especially Jimmy’s brother and mother, was also fiction, but I doubt it. Perhaps it, along with the social stigma that the age attached to it, was the prime motivation for wanting to create distance.
Jimmy Rova’s mother features like eminence gris throughout the book. She never really develops as a character. She rarely speaks on her own behalf, is usually antagonistic to the rest of the household and is portrayed as one-dimensionally selfish. Granny, on the other hand, it’s always a source of peace and reconciliation.
The Boy With No Shoes is a book which is hard to begin. Perhaps having no shoes makes it harder to find your feet. Too often in the early pages, the text seems to drift towards the self-pity of recalled abuse, and one is prepared for an endless outpouring of guilt-ridden, unexpressed anger. But the book does veer away from this pitfall and becomes more interested in Jimmy Rova’s experience of childhood. And so The Boy With No Shoes becomes a memoir of childhood and the coming-of-age maturation. And, as such, it becomes worth reading.
William Horwood makes much of the relative poverty of Jimmy Rova’s family. It has to be said, however, that his brother was a boarder in what seems to have been a grammar school of the “direct grant” type, a fee-payer, in other words. And attitudinally, the family was hardly working class. Try this for attitudes to education and peers. Me and the Law said that I had to sit the Eleven Plus examination whatever happened. If I passed I would follow Michael and my future might yet be as golden as his looks set to be, despite my poor start. But if I failed I would go to the second modern school in Upper Stoning and my fate in my future would be worse than death. I would sit in classes with the sons of minors and the daughters of butchers and be taught metalwork instead of mathematics, woodwork instead of English literature. …. Ma wasn’t generally much interested in my education, not in a practical way, but that was one lesson she gave me. The children who came out well like a horde of vandals from Mr. Mee’s encyclopedia. They shouted, they fought, they wore rough clothes and the boys had black boots and dirty hair. Worst of all, they were big and they started me and Ma and what lay behind the eyes was frightening.
And it must be remembered that at the tine about seventy-five per cent of the population were thus branded by this low status education. Not exactly an advertisement for “one nation Conservatism”, was it?
Overall, Jimmy Rova does come through the experience of childhood, despite the fact that his life might just have been ruined by his mother. Whether this is the “no shoes” of the title, and indeed whether Jimmy Rova is real fiction rather than a true story remains open to debate. The Boy With No Shoes is worth reading to find out what you might think.
June 5, 2020
Though a Jimmy is sadly unloved by his family, he did inspire love in others and that is to his credit, he rose above his circumstances and became self reliant and that’s no mean feat..a lesson we could all learn from him.
One of the best books I’ve read in ages.
One of the best books I’ve read in ages.
January 12, 2009
A childhood memoir by English author William Horwood. A touching, beautifully sad story. Very well told. The book seems more like a novel than like a memoir. Wonderful.
June 5, 2024
It is hard to describe this memoir. The author not only tells the story from the perspective of a boy, but his thoughts, emotions, and responses were portrayed with great clarity. It is sad, yet hopeful. It was dreadful, yet moving. Pretty good find in a freebie pile on the sidewalk!
April 26, 2012
An excellent read. Based in a town where my family used to live, it adds to the interest. This author is incredible.
December 24, 2013
Fantastic. This memoir highlights the fragility of the human mind, while demonstrating how strength of spirit can win through. A very moving book. Should be on the national curriculum.
January 31, 2025
William Horwood’s The Boy with No Shoes is not just a memoir; it is an emotional odyssey through the rawest corners of childhood—pain, loss, and the yearning for love. This story is a heartfelt journey through pain and resilience. From the very first pages, Horwood transports us into the fragile world of a boy who is both invisible and deeply wounded, struggling to find his place in a world that seems determined to break him. Rejected by his mother who struggles with her own demons and tormented by his older brother, Jimmy Rova suffers severe childhood trauma as he battles innocently on his way through a despairing time in England after World War 2. The intervention of his Grandmother is key as someone who enters the household with a fresh perspective and sets Jimmy on the right track giving him the necessary hand up, to overcome some of his difficulties.
The book is a beautifully written, haunting recollection of Horwood’s early years, spent in the stifling confines of poverty and emotional neglect. His prose is so vivid and evocative that you don’t just read about his suffering—you feel it. The ache of loneliness, the sting of rejection, and the desperate search for kindness bleed through every page. Yet, despite the heartbreak, there is an underlying pulse of resilience, a stubborn will to survive and carve out meaning in a life that offers little mercy.
What makes The Boy with No Shoes so deeply affecting is its honesty. Horwood does not sugarcoat his past, nor does he drown it in self-pity. Instead, he presents it as it was—harsh, painful, and, at times, almost unbearable. But through the darkness, there are glimmers of hope: small moments of kindness, fleeting instances of joy, and an unbreakable spirit that refuses to be crushed.
By the time you reach the final pages, you realize you have not just read a story—you have lived it alongside him. It is impossible not to be moved, not to feel that deep, lingering ache that only the most powerful books leave behind. The Boy with No Shoes is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a reminder that even in the bleakest of circumstances, there is always the possibility of light.
This is not just a book—it is an experience. And one that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
The book is a beautifully written, haunting recollection of Horwood’s early years, spent in the stifling confines of poverty and emotional neglect. His prose is so vivid and evocative that you don’t just read about his suffering—you feel it. The ache of loneliness, the sting of rejection, and the desperate search for kindness bleed through every page. Yet, despite the heartbreak, there is an underlying pulse of resilience, a stubborn will to survive and carve out meaning in a life that offers little mercy.
What makes The Boy with No Shoes so deeply affecting is its honesty. Horwood does not sugarcoat his past, nor does he drown it in self-pity. Instead, he presents it as it was—harsh, painful, and, at times, almost unbearable. But through the darkness, there are glimmers of hope: small moments of kindness, fleeting instances of joy, and an unbreakable spirit that refuses to be crushed.
By the time you reach the final pages, you realize you have not just read a story—you have lived it alongside him. It is impossible not to be moved, not to feel that deep, lingering ache that only the most powerful books leave behind. The Boy with No Shoes is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a reminder that even in the bleakest of circumstances, there is always the possibility of light.
This is not just a book—it is an experience. And one that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
February 26, 2023
I never give a book 5 stars, but anything less felt mean. I don't remember actually crying whilst reading any book, but even I read the last 20 pages in tears. It was beautiful & touching, disturbing & poignant, had a true sense of place & rich characters seen through the eyes of a small boy trying to make sense of it all.
Terrible things happen to the boy with no shoes, but throughout, he finds adults who show him the way. It made me remember very old people from my childhood that took me in & told me tales & let me learn.
Abuse & treatment of children is awful. Depressingly, though, it reflects the truth. The way he writes from a child's perspective was so vivid it sent me back to my own emotions & feelings in childhood. Things not explained, this not understood, inexplicable, unspoken, whispered.
It has given me a new sense of place. I walked the same shoreline & cliffs through lockdown & continue to do so early mornings before work. Whilst the fishermen and people in the book are gone, their ghosts have been brought to life for me & made me feel connected to the landscape & buildings.
Not always a comfortable read but an engaging & connecting one. It's a great book with spirit & humanity, love & kindness beating off misery & cruelty. Just like the sea, humans can be harsh and threatening, but they can also be beautiful, comforting, familiar & inspiring.
Terrible things happen to the boy with no shoes, but throughout, he finds adults who show him the way. It made me remember very old people from my childhood that took me in & told me tales & let me learn.
Abuse & treatment of children is awful. Depressingly, though, it reflects the truth. The way he writes from a child's perspective was so vivid it sent me back to my own emotions & feelings in childhood. Things not explained, this not understood, inexplicable, unspoken, whispered.
It has given me a new sense of place. I walked the same shoreline & cliffs through lockdown & continue to do so early mornings before work. Whilst the fishermen and people in the book are gone, their ghosts have been brought to life for me & made me feel connected to the landscape & buildings.
Not always a comfortable read but an engaging & connecting one. It's a great book with spirit & humanity, love & kindness beating off misery & cruelty. Just like the sea, humans can be harsh and threatening, but they can also be beautiful, comforting, familiar & inspiring.
October 16, 2018
I recognized a lot of instances from this memoir by William Horwood in his other works, particularly THE STONER EAGLES. But the real substance of this memoir is the sheer honesty and fortitude of the portions of his life he has chosen to dwell on.
The beginning of THE BOY WITH NO SHOES shocked me. This is not the tale of a lovely upbringing by the seashore in the mid-1900s. Horwood pulls no punches, and a lot of what happens in his life simply bothered me on a visceral level. What kept me reading initially was that I knew he had survived, because I'm reading the evidence, and the mystery of how he got from there to being one of the best authors I know. By the middle of the book, I simply could not put it down.
For those of you who are men, I would recommend this highly, and for we women--it matters how we treat our sons for good or for ill.
For those who wonder that it takes me so long to read a book..., I don't have much time these days, about 15-30 minutes if I'm lucky.
The beginning of THE BOY WITH NO SHOES shocked me. This is not the tale of a lovely upbringing by the seashore in the mid-1900s. Horwood pulls no punches, and a lot of what happens in his life simply bothered me on a visceral level. What kept me reading initially was that I knew he had survived, because I'm reading the evidence, and the mystery of how he got from there to being one of the best authors I know. By the middle of the book, I simply could not put it down.
For those of you who are men, I would recommend this highly, and for we women--it matters how we treat our sons for good or for ill.
For those who wonder that it takes me so long to read a book..., I don't have much time these days, about 15-30 minutes if I'm lucky.
January 5, 2020
It's been a while since I cried whilst reading a book. The hurts the boy Jimmy endures are not mine; the confusion around adult events and talks and choices were not like mine. But at the same time I felt his hurt and confusion. We've all, I'm sure been bullied by a Michael. We've all, I'm sure felt better when leaving our family and wondering around the world with no guidance.
Jimmy's so lucky to have his Grandmother return in time to save him, his meeting of local characters brings cautious joy to our hearts as we read. His appreciation of the way the sea moves and tides come and go makes one stop and pause and look. His grief is overwhelming; his love all-consuming.
But the ending was something I feared. Would he find happiness and then I'd be so disappointed after the misery and confusion? Well... yes....and no! It's a good ending
I loved Skallagrig; Duncton Wood; The Stonor Eagles and now I love this book too.
Jimmy's so lucky to have his Grandmother return in time to save him, his meeting of local characters brings cautious joy to our hearts as we read. His appreciation of the way the sea moves and tides come and go makes one stop and pause and look. His grief is overwhelming; his love all-consuming.
But the ending was something I feared. Would he find happiness and then I'd be so disappointed after the misery and confusion? Well... yes....and no! It's a good ending
I loved Skallagrig; Duncton Wood; The Stonor Eagles and now I love this book too.
December 20, 2020
William Horwood revisits his childhood through the eyes of a little boy called "Jimmy" and finds closure to some of the haunting memories that he carries with him. His memoir is beautifully written and heart wrenching. Depraved of love and a sense of family, he struggles through early childhood and an equally harsh school-life. Fortunately there are adult influences in his life that liberate his mind and from time to time, see to his very basic needs. He commends these people in the most beautiful and sensitive way. This book is a tribute to all who help the weak and helpless without expecting anything in return.
April 27, 2024
Would give this book 5* if possible. It was a brilliant read. The reader always sees events through the eyes of Jimmy at the age he is so experiencing his confusion and raw emotion first hand. An awful childhood but an easier read than ‘Shuggie Bain’ or ‘Educated’ because of the loving and enriching relationships he finds largely outside of his family unit. The descriptions and increasing importance of the sea, shore and dunes of the Kent coast to Jimmy beautifully enhance the story. A very satisfying ending too!
January 10, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though very detailed, i found it difficult to put down. And it provided such a profound insight into how the mind of a child would work in the 'names' assigned to various persons for example and how it allowed you to experience his maturing as a boy. Really worth the read, but I didn't get to the end so I need to locate this book again.
November 22, 2021
Omgoodness, what a moving book. A book I will keep forever, how a boy survives such a hard and unloving life and takes until his adult life to try and come to terms with his nightmares and memories. And the lovely ending for the lady who should have been his mother.......one of those books you don't want to finish reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2019
Have I read page 306 properly. Mum born in 1908 but met husband in 1893?
Don't think I will bother to read any more of his books. I have not overly enjoyed the book. Quite heavy at times. Did get a bit better and story went on?
Don't think I will bother to read any more of his books. I have not overly enjoyed the book. Quite heavy at times. Did get a bit better and story went on?
March 4, 2021
Stirring tale of a young boys' childhood dealing with trauma, depression and lack of belonging. How Jimmy found his way in the arms of the sea and the kindness of strangers who saw themselves in him. A wonderful story of resilience, listening and love in its different forms.
February 14, 2023
This was a really hard read. It took me a month and a half to read because I kept needing to leave it alone and take a break. There is so much suffering in the world and it's really hard to watch someone, particularly a child, go through it, even if you know things turn out all right in the end.
April 14, 2023
What a memoir, with pathos and drama, tales of deprivation and, sadly, abuse...I sobbed through the early pages. My initial and deepest response was gratitude. My childhood held some parallels but nothing like unto that of this author's. His bravery and determination are an inspiration.
October 26, 2018
Amazing memoir. Poignant.
January 4, 2022
A heartbreaking tale. So much pain and heartache and yet filled with the love that only found families can bring.
Read
March 6, 2022Hard work only got halfway.
November 14, 2022
I read this book years ago and don’t recall much of the detail. I remember how it made me feel tough: desperately sad for this little boy. I still think of him trying to find his shoes!
September 11, 2023
It would appear it’s like marmite you either love it or hate it, I loved it.
July 11, 2025
William Horwood is a legend, obviously. But this book. My God, what to say? What a book. What a book. If you haven't read it, I urge you to do so.
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