The Outcast by Sadie Jones

I had never heard of this author before, but the story sounded promising, so I gave it a try. I wanted to save this book for reading on my trip to London next month, but it was tempting to read it now. I read the Dutch translation and I must say that I was happy with the translation. The book is about Lewis a boy with a "normal" life in war time. When his dad returns from the war his life changes. His free life with his mother is over and he has to adjust to the village life. During a picknick Lewis sees his mother drown before his eyes. He becomes estranged with everybody and sets the local church on fire. When he comes out of jail 3 years later the people in the village find him interesting, but also sees him as threat. The daughters of his boss try to helphim, but their help has fatal consequences.

When I started to read the book I felt like I was an outsider, but that soon changed. I was drawn into the story quickly and was hardly able to put the book down. It is very well written and is at some points funny. Not much though, as in my opinion, the book is more tragic. The further in the book the more tragic it becomes. I felt very sorry for Lewis, but also for the daughters of his boss. It seems that everybody in the book has something tragic in him or herself. You can't help but feeling sorry for these people.

Sadie Jones is a new author as this is her debut novel. It was nominated for the Galaxy bookawards Populair fiction awards. She didn't win, but this book won my heart and I hope to read more books by Sadie in the future. I found out about this book through the Richard and Judy book club. I can't get Watch, the channel that airs Richard and Judy in the UK, as I don't live there. But I do see some clips sometimes and this book was recommanded by them last year. This book is very well written and I can see a film being made of it. Another recommandation is Imperfect by Julian Fellowes, but that is for another time, as that is the book I try to save for my trip to London next month.