About this ebook
Nevil Shute’s classic Second World War novel is an uplifting, satisfying and moving story.
John Howard is determined to brighten up his old age by taking a fishing trip to France. However, during his stay the Nazis invade and he is forced to try to escape back to England with the two small children of some friends who must stay behind to help the Allied war effort. As the conflict grows closer, the roads become impassable and Howard also comes across five more children who need his help. He ends up leading this motley group of youngsters through the French countryside, constantly beset by danger yet heroically protecting his charges.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JOHN BOYNE
'A very good writer...simple, elegant and readable...a fantastic story' Jonathan Coe
Nevil Shute’s classic Second World War novel is an uplifting, satisfying and moving story.
John Howard is determined to brighten up his old age by taking a fishing trip to France. However, during his stay the Nazis invade and he is forced to try to escape back to England with the two small childr...
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Ratings and reviews
9 reviews
Ben Hudson
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May 11, 2013
Very well written. Being a bit of a war history enthusiast, I loved the background context of war torn France. Neville Shute writes in a pleasantly old-fashioned manner too. Easy to read and a fascinating context / view of Nazi Germany.
Chris Jefferies
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October 7, 2026
A most interesting read as always with this author. time well spent!
Jill Barron
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May 21, 2018
Great story..loved itself
About the author
Nevil Shute Norway was born on 17 January 1899 in Ealing, London. After attending the Dragon School and Shrewsbury School, he studied Engineering Science at Balliol College, Oxford. He worked as an aeronautical engineer and published his first novel, Marazan, in 1926. In 1931 he married Frances Mary Heaton and they went on to have two daughters. During the Second World War he joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve where he worked on developing secret weapons. After the war he continued to write and settled in Australia where he lived until his death on 12 January 1960. His most celebrated novels include Pied Piper (1942), No Highway (1948), A Town Like Alice (1950) and On the Beach (1957).
Nevil Shute Norway was born on 17 January 1899 in Ealing, London. After attending the Dragon School and Shrewsbury School, he studied Engineering Science at Balliol College, Oxford. He worked as an aeronautical engineer and published his first novel, Marazan, in 1926. In 1931 he married Frances M...
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