Reviews

London Lies Beneath by Stella Duffy

onlysomewhat's review

4.0

Lovely and vivid with such a broad and comforting sense of place. The author writes childhood beautifully. Some odd points, but moving and devastating.

hevleary's review

4.0

Wow. This was a truly beautiful book and I enjoyed every word.

The story is set in 1912 and tells of three young boys living in the slums in South London. They join a local Scout troop and beg their parents to allow them to go on a Scout camp which leads to tragedy. The book is based on a true story which makes it all the more powerful.

A brilliant read which tells of adventure, friendship, maternal love and loss with a historical background of London just before the First World War. I would highly recommend

kali's review

5.0

Sobbed silently on a crowded plane. This is a stunning, multi-layered novel based on the true story of a Boy Scout sailing tragedy in 1912. I loved the complex web of neighbours, generations, faiths and hopes that bind this community.

orbitingpluto's review

5.0

I was expecting a great book, but why did no one warn me how incredible sad this is? So? Sad? Beautiful, but I was crying my eyes out by the end (would absolutely read it again, though)

balancinghistorybooks's review

2.0

I read around a third of this, but it simply failed to grip me. I felt as though Duffy was trying to do too much with too many characters, rather than focusing upon the three boys who should be the pivotal point of this true story. Not for me.

zefrog's review

4.0

A lovely poetic and evocative novel bringing to life a forgotten tragedy, with the added charm of being mostly set very near where I live.