Having previously enjoyed his Maureen novellas, mostly light and gentle, perhaps a little caustic, but certainly humorous, I wasn't convinced that his frivolous style would successfully convert to the seriously dark and harrowing themes tackled in this new book, his first full-length novel. Well, I'm delighted to report that it does. And some. This is by far the most accomplished offering from this writer.
Set in a grim private boys' school on the eve of the second world war, the novel explores both the endemic bullying and the intolerance of difference in such institutions, and in society as a whole, and the idea that fear and brutality are essential for turning boys into men, The story is totally compelling from the outset, the key characters are well drawn with enough back story to explain their actions, thoughts and fears. Starting out with tragedy, there is a certain inevitability as the story races towards the final conclusions. Having said that, the end was touching and certainly not quite what I was expecting, although the message was clear.
A thoroughly grown-up novel from a writer who has firmly arrived.
More details can be found on the book's website
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