Michelle Magorian

I read this book for the first time when I was in Form 3 at school. It was part of our curriculum, and the book stayed with me for a very long time after reading it for the first time. I think it was the first book I read that depicted child abuse in writing, that didn’t shy away from difficult topics. It probably introduced me to a world of more adult fiction, even though it was essentially a book written for children. The fact that the book plays with reality so well really has helped it leave a special place in my heart, not least because it was also probably the first book I ever enjoyed studying while reading.
Goodnight Mister Tom is about the unlikely friendship, bond and love that forms between a wizened, bitter old man who lives in the country, and the little boy from London who is evacuated and brought to live with him. Tom, a man who has become embittered with age, especially after the death of his wife and baby boy, reluctantly takes upon the responsibility of looking after Willie, but very quickly realizes that the boy has never known a loving relationship from a parent, and soon starts to open up and become warmer to people in general while showing Willie what true paternal love is.
The book deals with so many different themes – war, death, the love between family members, chosen family, loss, change, child abuse, puberty, education. The list goes on and on. The book manages to fit so many different topics in without feeling like it’s trying to be preachy or trying to make a statement. It is a book that is, quite simply, explaining the reality of a situation in a small village during World War Two, with the addition of a wonderful cast of characters that really lend themselves to the story.
I don’t want to spoil how the story plays out, or how it tears at your heartstrings in ways that you didn’t think possible. I will say that it is a happy ending, and it is a wonderful book for people of all ages to read. It is, actually, a wonderful book for children aged twelve and up, children who can identify with the main characters and who are probably learning about the world wars in their history classes at school. If anybody is curious about war fiction and doesn’t know where to start, this book is probably a very safe bet.
Final rating: 5/5 stars. A wonderful read and a nice quick one too (I recall finishing it in about two days).… (mer)