Another enjoyable read by master storyteller John Boyne, seems like I have said that many times while reading his books. The saying don’t judge a book by it’s cover is fitting for this one, not my type of subject at all and certainly the sort of book I would skip over very quickly. Had it not been a John Boyne novel it would have stayed on the shelf and the loss all mine. John Boyne is so good at taking subjects and making them interesting to the masses, this is an excellent story that I read very quickly given that it is nearly 500 pages and struggled to put it down.
The story revolves around a young pickpocket John Jacob Turnstile who when about to be convicted for his crimes is offered a lifeline that he feels worth taking. He is offered the job of personal valet to a departing naval captain who just to be captain William Bligh of the HMS Bounty. What to John Jacob Turnstile appears to be an easy choice is in fact an alternative that will threaten his life.
This is a really enjoyable read filled with many characters you perhaps you are already familiar with but with John Boyne giving it a completely different spin. Great characters, excellent storytelling and enjoyable from start to finish.
worcester source 