Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Goodnight Mister Tom

I remember watching this as a child and it always stuck with me, but I had never sat down and read the whole book.

This story is such a beautiful and heartwarming story which tackles some really dark topics. It’s about found family, growing up and how the war affected everyone. It is emotional and sad but leaves you feeling hopeful and warmed. It also is a great reminder on how the simpler things in life are so much more valuable.

For those who don’t know, the story tells of a young boy from London, will, who is sent to the country as an Evacuee during WW2. There he is taken in by an old man and his dog. Whilst there he learns what love and true friendship means and starts to put the last behind him… for a while.

This book has been out for 40 years and I believe is a children's classic. This new edition has some extra bits which celebrate the book and the author.

Content Warnings

books_r_cool's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I read this for school, but I really liked it. The characters were great and the storyline melted my heart. I also really loved the writing.
I think the only thing I didn’t like was how they dealt with mental health.

Like William had extreme ptsd and Mr Tom was just like ‘country air good, mental health professional bad’

Content Warnings

cupofbooksreviews's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House who are publishing a special 40th anniversary edition. I have given Goodnight Mister Tom by Michele Magorian five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have to admit I was surprised that I had never read this book before; this would’ve definitely been a book I would’ve loved when I enjoyed reading Michael Morpurgo. However, I’m so glad I finally picked it up because this book absolutely ruined me and is a new found favourite!

This is an incredibly emotional, touching and hopeful story based around WWII and evacuees. One evacuee in particular, Willie Beech. When we first meet Willie, he’s a frightened and traumatised boy who has been abused and neglected by his mother. That is until he moves to Little Weirwold and meets Tom Oakley, a grumpy man who keeps to himself. As they become acquainted with one another, the friendship, love and happiness that starts to blossom between the two is unmatched. I found myself smiling, tearing up and in awe at this book.

We’re introduced to more evacuated children in the town who also become a special part of Willie’s life and my life too. This book is beautifully written; from the atmospheric descriptions to the accented language in which they speak in Little Weirwold. The best way I can describe Goodnight Mister Tom is with an oxymoron: an uplifting tearjerker.

I definitely want to watch the movie adaptation to Goodnight Mister Tom in the near future as I’ve heard lots of wonderful things about it although I expect I’ll bawl my eyes out more at an adaptation. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone.

Content Warnings

betweenthelinesbookclub's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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