Noah Barleywater runs away by John Boyne

Having not read ‘The boy in striped pyjamas’, it didn’t know what to expect from John Boyne’s latest book, and indeed, first impressions were that the book was very surreal. We first join Noah Barleywater, an eight year-old boy, on the moment he walks out his front door, having decided to run away from home. It becomes clear very quickly that this is no ordinary story – John Boyne has written Noah into a beautiful, magical and surreal world where landscapes change at a moment's notice, animals and furniture talk and the passage of time is fluid.

The reasons for Noah’s departure are initially unclear, but later in the story, when Noah befriends an Old Man we gradually learn a little more. The Old Man shares his life story with Noah, who begins to confide his secrets in return, in what reveals itself to be a very touching story. What started as something very weird and simple has unveiled itself as a lovely, touching and complex story that, I think, will appeal to readers of all ages.

Caitlin @ Balwyn

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