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Stay Where You Are And Then Leave

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Stay Where You Are And Then Leave

By: John Boyne
Narrated by: Adrian Rawlins
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The day the First World War broke out, Alfie Summerfield's father promised he wouldn't go away to fight - but he broke that promise the following day. Four years later, Alfie doesn't know where his father might be, other than that he's away on a special, secret mission.

Then, while shining shoes at King's Cross Station, Alfie unexpectedly sees his father's name - on a sheaf of papers belonging to a military doctor. Bewildered and confused, Alfie realises his father is in a hospital close by - a hospital treating soldiers with an unusual condition. Alfie is determined to rescue his father from this strange, unnerving place . . .

©John Boyne 2013 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Fiction Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Military War

Critic reviews

Pat Barker meets Michelle Magorian . . . Comic as well as poignantly enlightening
John Boyne’s children’s novels tackle difficult subjects . . . and this latest book looks at the horrors of trench warfare in World War 1. With the anniversary of that war next year, this is a timely examination of moral, physical and mental bravery and pain
Beautifully paced and affecting
Stay Where You Are and Then Leave is beautifully written, as are all John Boyne's books for children. Although it's a book aimed primarily at younger readers, it's equally as satisfying for adults, and should be widely read by everyone
A beautifully paced and affecting tale
John Boyne is clearly unafraid to tackle the big subjects in his fiction for children . . . A good, solid, engaging read (Tony Bradman)
Wonderful . . . One of the best books of the year. An instant classic (Eoin Colfer)
Leaves 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
A beautifully paced and touching tale
Stay Where You Are and Then Leave is a work of tender beauty and real lives. It is an instant classic that, once read, will never be forgotten. I loved the voice and the people. John Boyne has recreated a world that deserves to be remembered for ever. Children's minds and lives will be richer for reading this wonderful story. The forgotten victims of the Great War finally have their stories told (Eoin Colfer)
All stars
Most relevant
If you’re new to John Boyne, please add this to your library. If you read any of his books already, you know what to do
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Oh John, thank you

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It’s very hard to write convincingly from a child’s perspective. This narrative ends up with over-simplistic observations on one hand, and ridiculously sophisticated observations on the other. Either way, it’s not convincing and a true child’s voice is not conveyed. More importantly, the way shell shock is depicted is insulting and inaccurate.

Shallow and disappointing

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