Author:Garry Kilworth
Udolphus Beck - an otter - is an unraveller of mysteries. Summoned to the magnificent city of Vequince by the enigmatic Silver Claw, he must tread very carefully indeed as he begins his investigations. For behind the beauty and splendour of the city, lurking in the shadows, a small group is hatching a fiendishly clever plot to overthrow the ruling Council and seize power for themselves. And as the colourful Carnvival explodes onto the streets and canals of the city - with masked creatures everywhere - Udolphus discovers that the conspirators are not afraid to get blood on their paws...
A triumph, equally accessible to the ten year old and the adult reader
—— Leon GarfieldThe way a child sees the second world war through the small details of her life is movingly captured in a beautiful first-person story first published in the 70s
—— GuardianAn engaging tale with ordinary people made extraordinary by circumstances
—— School LibrarianA book of quite exceptional distinction...a haunting, convincing story which comes close to being a masterpiece of its kind
—— Growing PointThe novel is [...] a knockout
—— The Irish TimesJohn Boyne is clearly unafraid to tackle the big subjects in his fiction for children . . . A good, solid, engaging read
—— Tony Bradman , GuardianWonderful . . . One of the best books of the year. An instant classic
—— Eoin ColferLeaves the reader with a greater sense of how war changes people and their communities, and reminds us that sometimes, the ordinary acts of courage that get a child and his family through each day are as valuable, rare and life-changing as any along the front. Alfie inspires us to be more courageous than we’re used to and to do right by others even when the world is tense around us
—— Oprah MagazineA beautifully paced and touching tale
—— Mail on Sunday