Stay Where You Are And Then Leave

Written by John Boyne

Narrated by Euan Morton

The next work of historical fiction from the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Boyne's Stay Where You Are and Then Leave is a touching look at the effects war has on a family.

The day the First World War broke out, Alfie Summerfield's father promised he wouldn't go away to fight—but he broke that promise the following day. Four years later, Alfie doesn't know where his father might be, other than that he's away on a special, secret mission.

Then, while shining shoes at King's Cross Station, Alfie unexpectedly sees his father's name on a sheaf of papers belonging to a military doctor. Bewildered and confused, Alfie realizes his father is in a hospital close by—a hospital treating soldiers with shell shock. Alfie isn't sure what shell shock is, but he is determined to rescue his father from this strange, unnerving place.

This title has Common Core connections.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Mar 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781427236388

John Boyne

John Boyne (Dublín, 1971) se formó en el Trinity College y en la Universidad de East Anglia (Norwich). El niño con el pijama de rayas (Salamandra, 2007), su novela más famosa, obtuvo dos Irish Book Awards y fue finalista del British Book Award, se ha traducido a cincuenta y siete idiomas y ha vendido once millones de ejemplares en todo el mundo. En España, fue galardonada con el Premio de los Lectores 2007 de la revista Qué Leer y permaneció más de un año en las listasde libros más vendidos. Entre la amplia obra narrativa de Boyne, publicada por Salamandra, destacan también Motín en la Bounty, La casa del propósito especial, La apuesta, El ladrón de tiempo, En el corazón del bosque, El pacifista, El secreto de Gaudlin Hall, Las huellas del silencio, Las furias invisibles del corazón y Todas las piezas rotas.

[salsabrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Narrated by Euan Morton. Morton leavens this story with a childlike touch, just right for young Alfie's voice and perspective. John Boyne has a way of zeroing in on the emotional state of a child like Alfie, all innocence and naivete but so sure and confident of where he stands. Nicely done all around.

[pdebolt_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I will read anything that John Boyne writes, even if it's a grocery list. He is one of those rare authors who is able to put just the right words to define his characters and the plot thoroughly. This wonderful little book is no exception.

Alfie Summerfield is an only child living in London with his loving parents when he turns 5 years old at the beginning of WWI. When his dad volunteers to enlist, his mother is frightened, and Alfie is lost without his dad. Four years later, the war is still raging when Alfie learns that his dad is not on a "secret mission" as his mother explained for the absence of letters from him. He is suffering from shell shock in a hospital not far from London.

Alfie is determined to rescue his dad with surprising results. This is a heartbreaking, heartwarming book about love told from the perspective of a child.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book on CD read by Euan Morton
3***

The Great War (WWI) began on Alfie Summerfield’s 5th birthday, with the result that few people attended his birthday party. That was okay … more cake for Alfie! At least his Dad, Georgie, was home from his job driving the milk delivery cart. But within a few weeks, Alfie’s father joined the fight, and although everyone said “It will be over by Christmas” they didn’t specify WHICH Christmas. Now, four years later, nine-year-old Alfie is doing all he can to help his Mum survive until his father can get home.

This is a book suitable for middle-school children, but deals with some serious issues, including poverty among the families of fighting men, conscientious objectors and “shell shock” (now called PTSD).

Alfie is a marvelous character. He’s curious, intelligent, a hard worker, resourceful and tenacious. Of course, although he’s been forced to take on more responsibility due to the war effort, he is only a child, and he doesn’t fully understand all that is happening. The fact that his mother tries to shield him from adult troubles leads him to draw his own conclusions, and, ultimately, to take action to fix the problem as he sees it.

Euan Morton does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. He gives us a believably young Alfie, and I loved the voices he used for Grannie Summerfield and Joe Patience.

[juana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has a special place in my heart. (Translated from Spanish)

[Carliu · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Simply a beautiful book, it made everything known about World War I seem even more painful from the perspective of a child only 5 years old. This book evokes different types of emotions, from sadness to anger; all of this can be seen in a story of just about 250 pages, it's quick and light reading. The only thing I feel the book fell short on was the ending; perhaps it wasn't so expected, but I feel it still had a very "rosy" quality that made me question all the pages I had read before. However, that doesn't take away from the excitement of the book. (Translated from Spanish)

[Rlsansiena · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The tranquility of a small neighborhood in London is disrupted when World War I breaks out. Georgie Summerfield was always a brave and committed man, so he did not hesitate to enlist voluntarily to fight in a war that, according to rumors, would not last more than a few months, but which extended for almost four years. Meanwhile, Margui and Alfie had to face the challenge of moving forward despite the distress, worry, and the economic and social conflicts inherent to such a large-scale conflict. Focusing on the life of a boy of only five years old, who turns nine waiting for his father's return; it is a story full of hope. Ideal for introducing, through fiction, children to historical contexts that changed the world. (Translated from Spanish)

[RigoOrtega · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked it more, I didn't love it, it's a pretty light read. It doesn't come close to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, but it has its own merits. (Translated from Spanish)

[Tina Glez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a fan of John Boyne; his books have never disappointed me, and this one is no exception. When a boy turns five, the news breaks that World War I has erupted; his father, who is the village milkman, enlists and goes off to fight for his country. Several years pass, Alfie has turned nine and has not heard from his father, so first he helps his mother cope with the painful adversity they live in, and then he moves heaven and earth to find his father. It is a work with a harsh but tender theme, easy to read, and with very beautiful prose for all ages, leaving a message of humanity. (Translated from Spanish)

[Lizamhm · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

All the innocence of children reflected in this story. An example of hope and positivity that we adults so desperately need. (Translated from Spanish)

[Tina 8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a fan of John Boyne; his books have never disappointed me, and this one is no exception. When a boy turns five, the news arrives that World War I has broken out. His father, who is the town's milkman, enlists and goes off to fight for his country. Several years pass, Alfie has turned nine and has no news of his father, so first he helps his mother cope with the painful adversity they live in, and then he moves heaven and earth to find his father. It is a work with a tough yet tender theme, easy to read and with very beautiful prose for all ages, leaving a message of humanity. (Translated from Spanish)

[Tina Lectora · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a fan of John Boyne, his books have never disappointed me, and this one is no exception. When a boy turns five years old, news arrives that World War I has broken out, his father, who is the town's milkman, enlists and goes to fight for his country. Several years pass, Alfie has turned nine and has not heard from his father, so first he helps his mother cope with the painful adversity in which they live, and then he moves heaven and earth to find his father. It is a work with a tough yet tender theme, easy to read and with very beautiful prose for all ages, leaving a message of humanity. (Translated from Spanish)

[Lune · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was shocked. More than once I felt a lump in my throat reading about everything that happened, what a 9-year-old child had to go through at that time, what families had to endure, the innocent people who had to fight "for their country," and the consequences of being against going to war.
More than once, tears escaped me out of helplessness.
Excellent story.

"-How big is the world -he said- Do you think that on other planets they all hate each other too?-" (Translated from Spanish)

[rubcc86 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A new story about World War I explained by a child. A new story that will leave you breathless and speechless. A heart-wrenching tale about the pain of those who had to fight without being aware of the consequences their actions would have. Pain, pain from which to learn so as not to fall into the same mistake again. Another story by Mr. Boyne that continues to be recommended. (Translated from Spanish)

[margaretpemberton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is John Boyne at the top of his form. A really heartbreaking yet hopefully story of the consequence of world war 1 for one family. When his father is believed dead, young Alfie decides to help the family finances by shining shoes at King's Cross station, but then he sees evidence that his father might be alive and in hospital. The story deals with the mental health consequences of war and how medicine was just coming to terms with helping rather than condemning. This will tug at the heart strings but also make you think about what people actually suffer during war.

[susan.macura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of 5-year-old Alfie and what happened to his father Georgie when he fought in WW I. While he was not physically hurt on the battlefield, he ended up suffering from “shock syndrome,” today known better as PTSD. Alfie describes how difficult life was back home in England while his dad was gone for those four years, as well as how he found his father and tried to help him. It is a great view of an important historical event, those involved in it from families back home to conscientious objectors, that helps everyone understand the other’s point of view while being historically accurate. This would be a great fictional accompaniment to studying WW I in schools.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A powerful affecting story about the impact of war on a young boy and his parents.

[debbiemccauley-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

On his fifth birthday Alfie Summerfield discovers that his father is going off to war and will return when the war is over, before Christmas - but which Christmas? Four years pass and the letters have stopped. His mother explains that his father is on a secret mission, but Alfie believes he is dead. Alfie has been wagging school and working as shoeshine boy at King's Cross Station to help the family make ends meet, whilst his mother works hard as a nurse and takes in other people's washing. Whilst shining the shoes of a doctor, Alfie discovers that his father might just be in a nearby hospital and determines to find him and bring him home.

Alfie is an endearing character and the war has provided many new challenges and issues for him to think about. The book deals with the issue of shell shock, war wounds, conscientious objectors and how foreigners (and women) in England were treated at the time. Really well done, a great story from the home front.

[susiesharp_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is such a powerful story, set in WWI before we had a name for PTSD or Shell Shock this book takes you to a hospital with one doctor who is trying to get people to realize this is an actual condition not men just being cowardly. But how we get to that hospital is a heartbreaking yet uplifting story told through the eyes of 9 year old Alfie who is in search of his father Georgie.

Alfie is a precocious 9 year old who misses his father it has been 4 years since he went off to war and Alfie’s mother won’t let him see the letters he is writing but Alfie finds a way but notices there hasn’t been a letter in a long time, his mother tells him his dad is on a secret mission but Alfie is not sure he believes that. Alfie has been helping out by shining shoes at Kings Cross Station ( unbeknownst to his mother) and one day a man drops some papers and as Alfie helps him pick them up he sees his dads name and the name of a hospital so he sets off to find his dad.

This story is at times heartbreaking, uplifting and powerful, seeing it through Alfie’s eyes really brings home the separation of war, the not knowing if your parent is alive or well and how the parent left behind wants to protect their child from knowing the gory details of war but that leaves Alfie to think his father is dead. When Alfie does find his father it will break your heart and Alfie’s innocence in thinking if he just comes home he will be okay leads to circumstances that make Alfie have to confront just what shell shock is and how the war affected his father.

Euan Morton narrates this book with skill, his narration of Alfie is spot on and you feel every emotion he feels. Every character has a voice and the parts with the banging how Morton brings Georgie’s emotion to the forefront are amazing. Highly recommend this on audio!

The author does a great job at making you feel everything Alfie feels the fear, the trepidation, the confusion all written so beautifully.

4 ½ Stars

I received this book from netgally but ended up listening to the audio version and am so glad I did!

[readerbynight · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book touched a chord with me. Although it takes place in World War I, I felt memories return to me at the same age as Alfie; mine from World War II. John Boyne is spot on with this story and has a fantastic ability to recreate this time period and the horrors that went with it, without losing sight of his youthful audience. This book is suggested for the 9 to 12 year range, but I believe it would be interesting to a wider range.

Alfie is an only child and has just had his fifth birthday as the story begins. This is his story, but also the story of all London where suddenly all the Dads are off to war, Mothers off to work and/or taking in work and children left alone. Alfie's best friend Kalena Janacek and her father have been sent away to the Isle of Wight to an internment camp, his Dad Georgie is at war and his Dad's best friend Joe as a conscientious objector, a conchie as they call him, is dragged off to jail and badly beaten. All life as he knew it is changed, and changed him with it.

Alfie decides he should do his part, too, so he takes Mr. Janacek's shoeshine kit and starts working at the train station, skipping school three days a week. This is a tale of survival, constant fear and worry, death, innovation and love of family. When letters no longer come from Georgie, Alfie's father, he believes the worst. His mother tries to ease his fears by telling him he can't write because he is on a secret mission but Alfie doesn't believe her.

Chance is a strange thing. While Alfie, now nine, is shining the shoes of a well-dressed man at the station, a wind happens to gust through the station and catch all the papers the man is holding. Alfie rushes to collect them all and chances to see his father listed as a patient at a hospital in England. From this point on the story veers as Alfie plots to see his father. This story is very well-written, compelling and compassionate, as much as a coming of age story. Alfie's complicated plans are admirable if ill-conceived. In a four year period, many things can change, and especially with children, who always seem to grow up too soon, but during war often become grown up through necessity as Alfie did. With love, though, anything is possible.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John Boyne also wrote The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which has been very popular over the last few years. I find this novel more up-lifting. It would be considered historical fiction.

Alfie Summerfield remembers his fifth birthday because that’s when the fighting began: July 28, 1914. World War I breaks out and no one is able to come to his birthday party. Everyone believes the war will be over by Christmas. Alfie’s mother is against joining, but his father, Georgie, immediately signs up. He leaves and the war rages on for over four more years.

In the four and one-half years of the war, life is difficult. Alfie’s mom works constantly just to barely pay the rent and food is very scarce. Alfie chooses to attend school less than half the time in order to make money shining shoes at the train station. His best friend, Kalena Janacek, and her father are detained by the government because the government believes them to be “German” even though they are from Prague. They are sent to an internment camp for the entire war. Alfie is very much on his own with his dad gone, his mom working, and his best friend away.

Alfie believes his father has died and then discovers the truth. Because no one tells him the truth, he must take matters into his own hands, which could offer disastrous or healing results.

I liked this book and think many of you will as well. It’s a realistic look at people who had no power during the war yet have to live with the consequences of others’ biases and political choices. The characters are “stock,” but Alfie’s innocence in the midst of war makes him an engaging character whom you hope finds family and happy birthdays again.

[librarian1204 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reviewed from a NetGalley edition.
Excellent World War I fiction book for middle school and young adult readers. The book chronicles the life of Alfie, 5 when the story begins and 13 at the conclusion. Primarily the reader witnesses through Alfie, the way life was for families when fathers enlisted in the Army after the outbreak of WW1. Alfie's mother becomes a nurse and Alfie begins a shoe shine business to help her out. Alfie's dad keeps the family posted on the war and his increasing horror at what is going on around him in the trenches. Until the letters cease to arrive, and Alfie wants to find out why.
Included in the book are stories of other people on the street where Alfie lives; the 'conchie' , and the family with roots in Prague. In vivid detail, the reader experiences what happened to those people and to the men who came home from the war damaged not in body but in mind, those with the diagnosis, shell shocked.