David Fickling Books
As it says on the dust jacket, to reveal too much about this book would spoil the reading of it, so I’ll try and tantalize you instead.
The events are seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy, Bruno, who goes on a journey with his family. They reach a fence and we discover, through Bruno, that fences are for keeping things in as well as out, although the reasons for this are never satisfactorily explained. We also discover that the power of friendship is greater than any barrier constructed by human hands and that, in spite of their inexperience and naivety, children are often capable of seeing things more clearly than adults. Finally, and terrifyingly, we learn that we keep children in the dark concerning the reality of life, to their peril.
I have read a number of books on the subject matter dealt with in this book, and they’ve all made a huge impact on the way I view the world. However, none have moved me in quite the same way as this simply told fable. It should be required reading for all political leaders as well as anyone involved with children.
© Lynne Roberts 2006
