Synopsis

I’m seven years old and I’ve never had a best mate. Trouble is, no one gets my jokes. And Breaks-it isn’t helping. Ha! You get it, don’t you? Brexit means everyone’s falling out and breaking up.

Huxley is growing up in the suburbs of London at a time of community tensions. To make matters worse, a gang of youths is targeting isolated residents. When Leonard, an elderly newcomer chats with Huxley, his parents are suspicious. But Huxley is lonely and thinks Leonard is too. Can they become friends?

Funny and compassionate, this contemporary novel for adults explores issues of belonging, friendship, and what it means to trust.

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Review

Huxley is a typical seven year old boy. He gets into mischief, has a big heart, and isn’t afraid to say what he thinks or what he wants. His parents, on the other hand, want to make sure he stays safe from harm.

I loved Huxley’s outlook on life. He liked to make different words for common words to be funny. Sometimes, adults got it and sometimes they didn’t. He also saw the desire in others to have a friend when others might pass them by such as Leonard. I have to admit, I thought he might be up to no good, but when we learn the truth, our heart goes out to him and his situation. He also tends to get into a little bit of trouble when trying to stand up to bullies either for himself or others.

While the main character is a young boy, I don’t think this book is meant for younger readers. It covers more serious topics such as bullying, infidelity, pedophilia, and marital infidelity. But at the same time, it brings light to some more serious topics through Huxley’s eyes and his parents. Plus, it covers topics such as friendship and how to get over a disagreement with your friends.

This book will make you smile, especially at Huxley’s new words for more commonplace ones, and will give you insight into an average family. We give this book 4 paws up.

Read an excerpt here

About the Author

Novelist, poet and scriptwriter, Gail Aldwin’s debut coming-of-age novel The String Games was a finalist in The People’s Book Prize and the DLF Writing Prize 2020. Following a stint as a university lecturer, Gail’s children’s picture book Pandemonium was published. Gail loves to appear at national and international literary and fringe festivals. Prior to Covid-19, she volunteered at Bidibidi in Uganda, the second largest refugee settlement in the world. When she’s not gallivanting around, Gail writes at her home overlooking water meadows in Dorset.

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