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A review by mrstephenconnor
Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean
5.0
An absolutely stunning, absorbing and fulfilling read. I really can't recommend it enough.
Set in the early 18th century, a small group of boys, along with a couple of adults, go off to the Warrior Stac, lying just off the island of Hirta, in order to carry out the quest of fowling - collecting birds to eat. As time passes, the boys realise they have been forgotten, and are left marooned, starting to wonder whether the world has ended without their knowing.
We see all the guises, good and bad, of mankind here, from the pious Euan to the thoughtful Calum; Kenneth, an incessant bully, is bitter until the very end; Col Cane reveals himself not to be a man of God but something else entirely, while John's character development is fascinating (and has worrying connotations, should you be sharing this with primary aged children).
At the centre of this is Quill, a boy with his head screwed on and seemingly the only one who tries to keep the group (and their sanity) in tact. He tells stories to soothe, puts his life at risk to help, and is a confidant of others. His own spirit is kept alive by the thought of returning to Hirta to see the love his life, Murdina, who he believes is watching over him in the form of a particular sea-bird.
There is so much to admire here, so many twists and turns. There are hints of Lord of the Flies in parts, and the ending is just sublime.
Just brilliant.
Set in the early 18th century, a small group of boys, along with a couple of adults, go off to the Warrior Stac, lying just off the island of Hirta, in order to carry out the quest of fowling - collecting birds to eat. As time passes, the boys realise they have been forgotten, and are left marooned, starting to wonder whether the world has ended without their knowing.
We see all the guises, good and bad, of mankind here, from the pious Euan to the thoughtful Calum; Kenneth, an incessant bully, is bitter until the very end; Col Cane reveals himself not to be a man of God but something else entirely, while John's character development is fascinating (and has worrying connotations, should you be sharing this with primary aged children).
At the centre of this is Quill, a boy with his head screwed on and seemingly the only one who tries to keep the group (and their sanity) in tact. He tells stories to soothe, puts his life at risk to help, and is a confidant of others. His own spirit is kept alive by the thought of returning to Hirta to see the love his life, Murdina, who he believes is watching over him in the form of a particular sea-bird.
There is so much to admire here, so many twists and turns. There are hints of Lord of the Flies in parts, and the ending is just sublime.
Just brilliant.