Goodnight, Mr Tom

Michelle Magorian (author)

Puffin Books, UK: 1981; 304pp

ISBN: 0140315411

Genres: classics, historical fiction, realistic fiction

Issues: abuse, aging, communication, family, grief/loss, religion

Winner of the Guardian children's fiction prize.

This wonderful story of young Willie Beech, evacuated from London during World War Two, has been much-loved by children everywhere since its release.

As if moving to the countryside isn't bad enough, Willie is boarded with the intimidating Mr Tom. But it soon becomes apparent to that dour old gentleman that William, as he calls him, has had a badly deprived childhood, even before the war, and he sets out to give the boy some confidence. Teaching him to read is a good start, as well as feeding him properly. William slowly begins to flourish under the reassurance of Tom Oakley but his new happiness is destroyed when his mother summons him back to London, where nothing has changed, or will be allowed to change, as long as his mother continues in her sick delusions. Tom is determined not to abandon the boy and searches London until he can reassure himself that young William is all right.

It is impossible not to become involved with such appealing characters or such emotive events as a village airman missing in action, a young evacuee returning to London in the heat of the bombing, and Tom Oakley's own private grief.

A delightful film of the same name has been made starring the late great John Thaw. While some events vary to the novel, which contains more detail, the characterisations and essence of the book are there.

Same Author: Back Home