Goodnight Mister Tom - Michelle Magorian

Goodnight Mister Tom
Michelle Magorian
Puffin


It soon became apparent at our first bookclub meeting that I was the only one who had not read Goodnight Mister Tom, so it was quickly decided that it should be our first bookclub book. I bought it the very next day and immediately fell in love with timid Willie Beech and the reclusive Tom Oakley.


On the brink of declaring war on Hitler's Germany, and in anticipation of the bombings, the British children are evacuated from the major cities into the countryside. The sleepy village is soon crowded with an influx of children from London. Amongst them is Willie Beech, shy, undernourished and afraid. It does not take long for Tom to discover that Willie has left behind a horrific family life and Tom finds himself in the position of not only tending to Willie's physical needs but also his emotional ones. Under Mister Tom's guardianship, Willie grows and blossoms, discovering talents that had been dwarfed by his upbringing. His ability to love and trust swells and together they rediscover love and enter a relationship rich and rewarding.


It is impossible not to love this book. At times Willie's suffering was so sad it was difficult to continue reading. I feel however the novel would have had a stronger finish had it ended soon after Tom goes to London in search of Willie and discovers the shocking truth of Willie's home life. The last couple of chapters were a tad unnecessary and in my opinion detracted from the climax of the book.