Farren has lost his Mother, then his father goes missing at sea. His brother is at war. Some well written scenes describing a fishing village. Fares house set at a river mouth surrounded with water birds. hunting, fishing, boat races, ship wrecks, lost treasure. After the loss of his Mother and Father warren finds his new place in the world through new friendships and relating to his brother in a new way. I like that the gap that was left by this parents is filled for a while by little Souki a child surviver of a ship wreck. A great way of stepping into the shoes of those that were left behind during WWI. ( )

Set during WW1. Farren lives on the coast. His mother is dead and father, a fisherman, is suddenly lost at sea. His brother is fighting at Gallipoli and returns wounded both mentally and physically. Farren struggles to remain positive. Their lives are changed when Souki, a young child, is washed up in a sea wreck.
Interesting and well written. ( )

evocative of place
interesting portrayal of the home front during war and the shattered lives of returned service men

Beautifully written novel set during the First World War. Farren's father is a fisherman who has gone missing at sea and Farren wants his brother Danny to come home from Gallipoli to take care of him. But when Danny does return, he is not the same Danny that went away and it seems that Farren is the one looking after him. Then one night, a ship is wrecked on the nearby headland, and the only survivor is a child called Souki who Danny rescues and who comes to live with them and change their lives. Brilliant touching and unique novel that is unpredictable but not disquietening in it's sudden plot changes. F-word throughout unfortunately. {Chapter 4 The night of the wreck] ( )