Janet
28th January 2007, 22:12
Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/Bagpuss/Bagpuss_Books%202007/003-2007-27-January-CoramBoy.jpg
Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coram-Boy-Jamila-Gavin/dp/1405212829/sr=8-1/qid=1170010523/ref=pd_ka_1/202-2992764-5030225?ie=UTF8&s=books)
A tale of two cities, Gloucester and London.
A tale of two boys, Toby, saved from an African slave ship; Aaron, the illegitimate son of the heir to a great estate.
A tale of fathers and sons, Otis, dealing in the vilest trade of all, and his son Meshak, not quite of this world; Sir William Ashbrook, landowner, and Alexander, the son he disinherits.
An epic journey fraught with every danger and excitement, until love triumphs over hatred and corruption.
I read about this book in the paper before Christmas, because it has been made into a theatre production. I read the premise, and thought it sounded really good. I researched a little about the Coram hospital and then ordered the book. I didn’t actually realise that it was a children’s book until it arrived, and printed on the front cover was the fact that it had won the Smarties aware for Children’s fiction!
Undeterred, I decided to read it, and I’m glad I did.
It tells the story of Otis, a peddler, and his son Mishak, who has learning difficulties. They travel the countryside taking on babies born out of wedlock and promising to deliver them to the Coram Hospital, where they will be looked after and taught a trade. Some of the babies make it, but most die and are buried in woodland. For those babies born to well-to-do families, it means that Otis can bribe them to keep their shameful secret.
At the same time, we learn about, Alexander Ashbrook, lover of music and heir to a vast estate. Alex sings in a choir at a cathedral school and singing is his first love. However, his father wants him to take over the running of the estate. As a compromise, he tells Alex that he may stay at the school until his voice breaks… and then he must return and learn how to run the estate.
I don’t want to say much more about it, as I don’t want to give too much away!
The story is very simple, which is understandable as it’s aimed at children, but it was well written and a good story, if a little fanciful at times. An easy read, and a bit of light relief!
The paperback is 384 pages long and is published by Egmont Books Ltd. The ISBN number is 978-1405212823.
6½/10
(Read January 2007)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/Bagpuss/Bagpuss_Books%202007/003-2007-27-January-CoramBoy.jpg
Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coram-Boy-Jamila-Gavin/dp/1405212829/sr=8-1/qid=1170010523/ref=pd_ka_1/202-2992764-5030225?ie=UTF8&s=books)
A tale of two cities, Gloucester and London.
A tale of two boys, Toby, saved from an African slave ship; Aaron, the illegitimate son of the heir to a great estate.
A tale of fathers and sons, Otis, dealing in the vilest trade of all, and his son Meshak, not quite of this world; Sir William Ashbrook, landowner, and Alexander, the son he disinherits.
An epic journey fraught with every danger and excitement, until love triumphs over hatred and corruption.
I read about this book in the paper before Christmas, because it has been made into a theatre production. I read the premise, and thought it sounded really good. I researched a little about the Coram hospital and then ordered the book. I didn’t actually realise that it was a children’s book until it arrived, and printed on the front cover was the fact that it had won the Smarties aware for Children’s fiction!
Undeterred, I decided to read it, and I’m glad I did.
It tells the story of Otis, a peddler, and his son Mishak, who has learning difficulties. They travel the countryside taking on babies born out of wedlock and promising to deliver them to the Coram Hospital, where they will be looked after and taught a trade. Some of the babies make it, but most die and are buried in woodland. For those babies born to well-to-do families, it means that Otis can bribe them to keep their shameful secret.
At the same time, we learn about, Alexander Ashbrook, lover of music and heir to a vast estate. Alex sings in a choir at a cathedral school and singing is his first love. However, his father wants him to take over the running of the estate. As a compromise, he tells Alex that he may stay at the school until his voice breaks… and then he must return and learn how to run the estate.
I don’t want to say much more about it, as I don’t want to give too much away!
The story is very simple, which is understandable as it’s aimed at children, but it was well written and a good story, if a little fanciful at times. An easy read, and a bit of light relief!
The paperback is 384 pages long and is published by Egmont Books Ltd. The ISBN number is 978-1405212823.
6½/10
(Read January 2007)