Bought from a church yard sale.

A better book than I expected, although still not a masterpiece in my opinion. I was intrigued by the story in the beginning. It was so poignant that the beginning of the war meant better days for Will; at least he wasn't continually beaten up! I also liked the very realistic way Will is described: not as a willowy victim, but a boy of flesh and blood, who will vomit when excited and urinate in bed until he feels safe enough in his new surroundings. The episode where Will goes back home is a harrowing one, and I was surprised that a book for children would include such descriptions. And at the same time I'm glad it did; violence is not romantic, nor should it be depicted as such.

However, it seems like Will's life in Little Weirwold is almost too perfect, even after the war really starts to take its toll on the village population. Will becomes such a talented artist and actor, and a brave child, that it just seems too good to be true. And Tom frolicking around with the children, like he was a child himself, is a bit unbelievable as well. All in all, the book tended towards the sentimental, and sometimes it was all a bit too syrupy for me.

Nevertheless, Goodnight Mister Tom was well worth a read, and I'm glad I picked it up! Now I will release the book to find new readers.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I'll bring this book to the local BC meet-up tonight!

I've always meant to read this so picked it up at the meetup this evening. Thanks Harmaja.

A lovely book which came very close to making me cry. I too agree that life in Little Weiwold was overly-perfect, but as this was a children's book I didn't mind. Children of Will's age are apt to think of life as either perfect or terrible. (I know I did!) The issue of violent abuse and child neglect was dealt with sensitively, and did not take over the novel as it had the potential to do. Instead, this was an uplifting story which had I read it at the right age, I'm sure would've been one of my favourites.

Rec'd in bookswop from LittleSuz to share with my son. Thank you

Loved this story, even if Little Weirworld was a bit too much of a rural idyll. This aspect of the story was balanced out by the horrors of child abuse and mental health issues, which are major topics to relate to children. I have seen the TV drama of this with the late great John Thaw and I have got to say that I found the book and drama of equal merit even if the latter was not an entire replication of the former.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

At the local BX meetup

Been wanting to read this for years. I'm sure this is a 1001 book too so will be great to tick it off that list aswell

Turned to this in a reading slump, knew it'd help pull me out. I loved the story and want to go live there, go blackberry picking, on a tandem and grow veg. I knew i.d cry but was fairly good until the last chapter. Definately one i.ll buy when i have kids, she didn't hold back though on the reality of life.

I loved this book, it's now going off travelling in the film bookbox and will hopefully find a new reader

Arrived in my Filmbox. I read this years ago, but will have to reread it, such a great book.

Donated to the bookshop.