New Releases by John Boyne

The life Oscar Wilde never had — reimagined by John Boyne in his most ambitious and emotionally powerful novel yet. ''John Boyne is one of our best authors writing today. The Weight of Angels is wise, imaginative, funny, and extremely moving'' Tan Twan Eng, Booker longlisted author of The House of Doors Can one rash decision prove the difference between a life well lived and a life destroyed? When the Marquis of Queensbury left his calling card at the Albemarle Club in February 1895, it bore only his name and five words: ‘For Oscar Wilde, posing Somdomite’. The famous playwright sued for libel, which led to his arrest, criminal prosecution and imprisonment. From then on, his gilded existence spiralled into public disgrace and an early death. But what if he had simply ignored the insult? Rather than dying impoverished in Paris at forty-six, what if he had lived to bear witness to the momentous events and cataclysmic changes at the start of the twentieth century, and even influence some of them? What if the second half of his life were as celebrated, dramatic and tumultuous as the first? Like Maggie O''Farrell''s Hamnet and Percival Everett''s James, John Boyne explores one of the great what-if stories of modern literature, giving the great Anglo-Irish playwright an opportunity to take an entirely different path. Readers are loving The Weight of Angels: ''A fantastic premise'' ''Remarkable, funny and very touching'' ''Enjoyed this book so much I bought The Picture of Dorian Grey'' ''I devoured it in just a few days. Completely transported!''

Het afsluitende, ook los te lezen deel van Boynes Elementen-cyclus: net als in Water, Aarde en Vuur stelt Boyne in Lucht intrigerende vragen over medeplichtigheid, moed, veerkracht en schuld Een lange vliegreis, ruim negen kilometer boven de grond, biedt tijd om te reflecteren en de balans op te maken. Aaron Umber vliegt met zijn veertienjarige zoon de halve wereld over om een vrouw te ontmoeten die hen niet verwacht. Rusteloos door zijn verleden en angstig voor zijn toekomst, staat Aaron op een keerpunt in zijn leven. De schade die hem is berokkend tijdens zijn jeugd heeft hem gemaakt tot de man die hij is, maar hierdoor dreigt de kloof tussen hem en zijn zoon zich nu te verbreden. Deze reis kan hen dichter bij elkaar brengen, of juist nog verder uit elkaar drijven. In dit indringende onderzoek naar oorzaak en gevolg, schuld en medeplichtigheid, acceptatie en oplossingen geeft John Boyne ons een verlossend verhaal over een vader en een zoon op een ontroerende reis. De pers over de Elementen-cyclus ''Willow heeft een prettige vertelstem, die net zo overtuigend is als haar omgang met de (soms) nieuwsgierige dorpelingen. Aardige, kleurrijke types zijn het, die voorkomen dat het geheel loodzwaar wordt.'' Het Parool over Water ''Boyne weet je als lezer, zoals in veel van zijn boeken, echt betrokken te laten raken bij de verwikkelingen. En hij zorgt ook nu weer voor verrassende wendingen.'' MAX Magazine over Aarde ''Voorlopig het meest duistere en tegelijk het meest intrigerende deel van deze ijzersterke reeks.'' Het Laatste Nieuws over Vuur

From bestselling author John Boyne, a gripping and profound exploration of guilt, blame, trauma, and the human capacity for redemption. In The Elements, acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne has created an epic saga that weaves together four interconnected narratives, each representing a different perspective on crime: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim. The narrative follows a mother on the run from her past, a young soccer star facing a trial, a successful surgeon grappling with childhood trauma, and a father on a transformative journey with his son. Each is somehow connected to the next, and as the story unfolds, their lives intersect in unimaginable ways. Boyne’s most ambitious work yet, The Elements is both an engrossing drama and a moving investigation of why and how we allow crime to occur. With masterful, spellbinding prose, he navigates this complex subject with extraordinary empathy and unflinching honesty. The story resonates on a deeply emotional level, challenging readers to confront their own conceptions of guilt and innocence at every step. Amid the wildly engrossing storytelling, the book ultimately asks: What would you do when faced with the unthinkable?

An affectionately illustrated bedtime story with witty wordplay that will also make grown-up readers smile – The Times There once was a boy called Jeremy Grace Who had a remarkable interest in space. He was quiet and shy, very often alone, Just him and his dog, spending time on their own. Jeremy dreams of journeying through space, but nobody believes in him . . . Nobody, that is, but Maxwell, his incredible dancing dog who encourages him to reach for the stars. The pair embark on an out-of-this-world adventure - but when they are faced with an incoming comet catastrophe, it takes bravery, daring and a little bit of dancing to save the day. Heartwarming and inspirational with a touch of magic, this read-aloud rhyming picture-book story encourages children to follow their dreams. This is the picture book debut from John Boyne, the author of the globally bestselling, multi-million-copy classic, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The illustrations are by award-winning rising star Ashling Lindsay. John Boyne, The Bookseller bestseller, May 2024

From million-copy-bestselling author John Boyne, an inescapably gritty story about one young man whose direction in life takes a vastly different turn than what he expected. It''s the tabloid sensation of the year: two well-known footballers standing in the dock, charged with sexual assault, a series of vile text messages pointing towards their guilt. As the trial unfolds, Evan Keogh reflects on the events that have led him to this moment. Since leaving his island home, his life has been a lie on many levels. He''s a talented footballer who wanted to be an artist. A gay man in a sport that rejects diversity. A defendant whose knowledge of what took place on that fateful night threatens more than just his freedom or career. The jury will deliver a verdict but, before they do, Evan must judge for himself whether the man he has become is the man he wanted to be. ___________ Praise for John Boyne ''A master storyteller'' Daily Express ''One of the best novelists of Ireland'' Sunday Express ''Boyne offers writing of insight and beauty'' Observer ''One of the greatest craftsmen in contemporary literature'' Colum McCann

Una historia conmovedora sobre una anciana que debe enfrentarse a su terrible pasado. Una secuela magistral de El niño con el pijama de rayas . Cuando Bruno decidió acompañar a su amigo Shmuel a la cámara de gas, ¿qué ocurrió con su hermana, Gretel, y sus padres? ¿Sobrevivió su familia a la guerra y los estragos del nazismo? Gretel Fernsby es ahora una anciana de 91 años que vive cómodamente en un apartamento en una de las zonas más acomodadas de Londres. Cuando una joven familia se muda al piso de abajo, Gretel no puede evitar entablar amistad con Henry, el hijo pequeño de la pareja. Una noche, tras ser testigo de una violenta discusión entre la madre de Henry y su dominante padre, Gretel se enfrenta a la oportunidad de expiar la culpa, el dolor y el remordimiento y hacer algo por salvar a un niño, por segunda vez en su vida. Pero para ello se verá obligada a revelar su verdadera identidad... Elogios sobre el autor: «John Boyne posee una enfermiza obsesión por colarse en la historia con mayúsculas. [...] También se empeña en jugar con temas eternos, como la lucha del bien contra el mal y en otros asuntos polémicos como la redención literaria.» Jesús Ruiz Mantilla, El País «Un escritor que no para de crecer.» Xavi Ayén, La Vanguardia «Es lo bueno que tiene Boyne y su manera de contar los hechos, sean estos cuales sean: la sencillez al servicio de unas historias muy bien hiladas desde el arranque mismo de la trama. Vamos, que empiezas y no la sueltas.» Laura Revuelta, ABC

Sam Waver siempre ha llevado una vida muy tranquila. Es un chico solitario, al que le cuesta hacer amigos, y sus padres están siempre tan ajetreados que a veces se siente invisible. Por suerte, cuenta con su hermano mayor, Jason, quien parece tener una vida perfecta: no solo es amable y popular, también es la estrella del equipo de fútbol y todas las chicas están deseando salir con él. Sam lo idolatra. Sin embargo, un día Jason reúne a su familia para contarles un secreto que lleva guardando mucho tiempo: en realidad, se llama Jessica. Ante semejante afirmación, sus padres se cierran en banda y Sam se da cuenta de que no son las personas abiertas y tolerantes que creía. Y aunque sus vidas dan un vuelco y parece que nunca recuperarán la normalidad, Sam pronto descubre que no hay nada más fuerte que el amor. Con esta novela intensa y emotiva, escrita con grandes dosis de empatía, ligereza e ironía, Boyne retrata el viaje de una familia hacia la aceptación. Mi hermano se llama Jessica es una lectura imprescindible para todas las edades.

From the bestselling author of A Ladder to the Sky—“a darkly funny novel that races like a beating heart” (People)—comes a new novel that plays out across all of human history: a story as precise as it is unlimited. This story starts with a family. For now, it is a father and a mother with two sons, one with his father’s violence in his blood, one with his mother’s artistry. One leaves. One stays. They will be joined by others whose deeds will determine their fate. It is a beginning. Their stories will intertwine and evolve over the course of two thousand years. They will meet again and again at different times and in different places. From Palestine at the dawn of the first millennium and journeying across fifty countries to a life among the stars in the third, the world will change around them, but their destinies remain the same. It must play out as foretold. From the award-winning author of The Heart’s Invisible Furies comes A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom, an epic tale of humanity. The story of all of us, stretching across two millennia. Imaginative, unique, heartbreaking, this is John Boyne at his most creative and compelling.

Reclam Lektüreschlüssel XL – hier findest du alle Informationen, um dich zielsicher und schnell vorzubereiten: auf Klausur, Referat, Abitur oder Matura! Differenziert, umfassend, übersichtlich! - Präzise Inhaltsangaben zum Einstieg in den Text - Klare Analysen von Figuren, Aufbau, Sprache und Stil - Zuverlässige Interpretationen mit prägnanten Textbelegen - Informationen zu Autor:innen und historischem Kontext - Hilfreiche Infografiken, Abbildungen und Tabellen - Aktuelle Literatur- und Medientipps - Prüfungsaufgaben mit Lösungshinweisen - Zentrale Begriffe und Definitionen als Lernglossar Der 2006 als Kinderbuch veröffentlichte Roman schildert den Schrecken des Holocausts aus der Sicht des neunjährigen Bruno, des Sohns eines Konzentrationslager-Kommandanten. Die Geschichte um den Protagonisten, der in kindlicher Unschuld die Bedeutung des Ortes nicht versteht und sich mit einem jüdischen Jungen anfreundet, war ein weltweiter Bestseller. 2008 erschien der Film in den Kinos.

Named Book of the Month Club''s Book of the Year, 2017 Selected one of New York Times Readers’ Favorite Books of 2017 Winner of the 2018 Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Boy In the Striped Pajamas, a sweeping, heartfelt saga about the course of one man''s life, beginning and ending in post-war Ireland Cyril Avery is not a real Avery -- or at least, that''s what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn''t a real Avery, then who is he? Born out of wedlock to a teenage girl cast out from her rural Irish community and adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple via the intervention of a hunchbacked Redemptorist nun, Cyril is adrift in the world, anchored only tenuously by his heartfelt friendship with the infinitely more glamourous and dangerous Julian Woodbead. At the mercy of fortune and coincidence, he will spend a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from - and over his many years, will struggle to discover an identity, a home, a country, and much more. In this, Boyne''s most transcendent work to date, we are shown the story of Ireland from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. The Heart''s Invisible Furies is a novel to make you laugh and cry while reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit.

Van de auteur van De jongen in de gestreepte pyjama en De grote stilte Voor de liefhebbers van De as van mijn moeder van Frank McCourt Ierland, 1945. Cyril wordt geboren als bastaardzoon van een verstoten tienermeisje. Het welgestelde echtpaar Avery adopteert hem, maar Cyril vraagt zich vaak af waarom, want zijn adoptieouders laten geen gelegenheid onbenut om hem op het hart te drukken dat hij geen echte Avery is. Hij voelt zich ook geen Avery, en hij voelt zich ook niet thuis in het katholieke naoorlogse Ierland. Pas als hij de flamboyante charmeur Julian Woodbead ontmoet, is de eerste stap naar de zoektocht van zijn identiteit gezet – een zoektocht die hem tot in Amsterdam en New York voert, in een poging het geluk en de liefde te vinden. John Boyne verbeeldt op fenomenale wijze de verlossende kracht van de menselijke geest, en laat de lezer en passant voelen hoe onwelkom de wereld kan zijn voor zoekende zielen. De pers over Wat het hart verwoest ''Afwisselend slim, geestig en hartverscheurend triest. Dit is een schrijver op de top van zijn kunnen.'' Mail on Sunday ''Groots en slim en vaak erg grappig.'' The Sunday Times ''Een picareske, ronddwalende odyssee voor de afzonderlijke karakters. Het boek brandt haast van woede over de levens die worden verwoest door sociale minachting en zelfhaat. Een aanzienlijke prestatie.'' The Guardian ''Een episch verhaal vol verve, humor en liefde. Dit zal een groot publiek aanspreken.'' The Irish Times ''Boyne creëert licht in de verdoemenis, en humor in de meest hartverscheurend trieste situaties. Een fantastische leeservaring.'' Press Association

Perpassando a história da Irlanda desde os anos 1940 até os dias de hoje, o novo romance do autor de O menino do pijama listrado. Cyril Avery não é um Avery de verdade ou, pelo menos, é o que seus pais adotivos lhe dizem. E ele nunca será. Mas se não é um Avery, então quem é ele? Nascido nos anos 1940, filho de uma jovem solteira expulsa de sua comunidade e criado por uma família rica irlandesa, Cyril passará a vida inteira à mercê da sorte e da coincidência, tentando descobrir de onde veio — e, ao longo de muitos anos, lutará para encontrar uma identidade, uma casa, um país e muito mais. Além das incertezas de sua origem, ele tem de enfrentar outro dilema: é gay numa sociedade que não admite sua orientação sexual. Autor do best-seller O menino do pijama listrado, John Boyne nos apresenta à sua maior empreitada literária até então, construindo uma saga arrebatadora sobre aceitar-se e ser aceito num mundo que pode ser cruelmente hostil. Uma leitura necessária para os dias de hoje, que reitera o poder do amor, da esperança e da tolerância.

The international bestseller that has touched millions of readers around the world is now available in a deluxe illustrated edition, featuring powerful illustrations by acclaimed artist Oliver Jeffers. Berlin, 1942: When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move to a new house far, far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people in the distance. But Bruno decides there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different from his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences. Now available in a gorgeous deluxe edition featuring stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Oliver Jeffers, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas takes on dramatic new intensity.

New York Times–bestselling author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: In 1935, an orphan is taken in by his aunt—a servant in the home of Adolf Hitler . . . When seven-year-old Pierrot becomes an orphan, he must leave his home in Paris—and his best friend, a deaf Jewish boy named Anshel—for a new life with his aunt Beatrix, a servant in a wealthy Austrian household. But this is no ordinary time, for it is 1935 and the Second World War is fast approaching; and this is no ordinary house, for it is the Berghof, the home of Adolf Hitler. Pierrot is quickly taken under Hitler''s wing and, in the following years, thrown into an increasingly dangerous new world—a world of terror, secrets, and betrayal from which he may never be able to escape—in this powerful historical novel, a tale of innocence corrupted by evil and the difficult road to redemption. "[Pierrot''s] traumatic childhood, infatuation and interactions with Hitler, adolescent angst, and destructive choices will captivate teens and prompt thought-provoking discussion." — School Library Journal (starred review) "A small boy once bullied at school, Pierrot turns into a bully himself once he falls under the spell of Nazi pageantry and propaganda . . . As he did in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Boyne crafts an unexpected ending that packs a tremendous emotional wallop." — Publishers Weekly

Den dag 1. Verdenskrig brød ud lovede Alfies far, at han ikke ville tage af sted, men dagen efter brød han sit løfte. Fire år senere, har 9-årige Alfie ingen anelse om, hvor hans far befinder sig. Hans mor siger, han er på hemmelig mission, Alfie selv tror, han er død i krigen. En dag, da Alfie pudser sko på King’s Cross Station ser han pludselig sin fars navn på et stykke papir, der tilhører en militærlæge. Alfie indser, at hans far befinder sig på et hospital i nærheden – et hospital der behandler hjemvendte soldater for granatchok. Faren må væk fra hospitalet koste hvad det vil, men Alfie har forregnet sig lidt i forhold til, hvor slemt, det i virkeligheden står til med hans fars psykiske tilstand. En rørende og livsbekræftende roman om 1. Verdenskrig og om hvad sker der med mennesker på godt og ondt, når verden med et slag bliver forandret i sin inderste grundvold. Når børn må lades alene i en uforståelig verden. Romanen er skrevet af forfatteren til Drengen i den stribede pyjamas og bogen er short listet til Irish Book Award: Children’s Book of the Year. “Stay Where You Are and Then Leave is a work of tender beauty and real lives. It is an instant classic that once read will never be forgotten. I loved the voice and the people. John Boyne has recreated a world that deserves to be remembered forever. Children’s minds and lives will be richer for reading this wonderful story. The forgotten victims of the Great War finally have their stories told.” - Eoin Colfer, forfatter til Artemis Fowl serien.

El 28 de julio de 1914 Alfie Summerfield cumplía cinco años. Ese mismo día estallaba la Primera Guerra Mundial. Han pasado cuatro años, y Alfie conoce todos los sinsabores de esta guerra interminable: vecinos que desaparecen, la tristeza y el cansancio reflejados en el rostro de su madre, los periódicos dando cuenta diaria de los fallecidos en la contienda y, sobre todo, la angustia, la terrible angustia por no tener noticias de su padre. Al principio, llegaban animadas cartas desde el frente; con el tiempo, fueron volviéndose sombrías y torturadas. Desde hace un año y medio, ni una sola línea. Por eso el día que Alfie descubra de una forma absolutamente casual dónde está su padre, decidirá ir a buscarlo, cueste lo que cueste

Four years after Alfie Summerfield''s father left London to become a soldier in World War I he has not returned but Alfie, now nine, is shining shoes at King''s Cross Station when he happens to learn that his father is at a nearby hospital being treated for shell shock.

O prodigioso primeiro romance de John Boyne, autor dos best-sellers O menino do pijama listrado e O palácio de inverno, conta a história de um homem que há mais de dois séculos parou de envelhecer. John Boyne tornou-se um escritor célebre no mundo inteiro depois do estrondoso sucesso de seu romance O menino do pijama listrado, mas agora o leitor brasileiro tem o privilégio de conhecer O ladrão do tempo, livro que deu início à brilhante carreira do autor irlandês. O ano é 1758 e Matthieu Zela resolve abandonar Paris e fugir de barco para a Inglaterra, depois de ter testemunhado o assassinato brutal da mãe pelo padrasto. Apenas um garoto de quinze anos na época, ele leva consigo o meio-irmão caçula, Tomas, criança que se vê impelido a proteger. Começando com uma morte e sempre em busca de redenção, a vida de Zela é marcada por uma característica incomum: antes que o século XVIII acabe, ele irá descobrir que seu corpo parou de envelhecer. Sua aparência é de um homem de cinquenta anos, mas o tempo passa e seu físico continua imutável. Ele simplesmente não morre e não faz ideia de qual seja a razão para que isso ocorra. Ao final do século XX, ele resolve olhar para o passado e rememorar sua experiência de vida, incomparável à de qualquer outro ser humano. Da Revolução Francesa à Hollywood nos anos 1920, da época das Grandes Exposições à quebra da Bolsa de Nova York, Zela transitou por inúmeros lugares, exerceu diversas profissões e conheceu pessoas notáveis, além de ter se apaixonado por muitas mulheres. Mas, mesmo séculos depois, ele continua certo de que seu verdadeiro amor foi Dominique Sauvet, uma jovem que conheceu no barco que tomou com o irmão para escapar da França. O trio se uniu para começar a nova vida na Inglaterra e Matthieu se viu totalmente encantado por Dominique.

När nioårige Bruno kommer hem en dag upptäcker han att alla hans saker håller på att packas i lådor. Hans pappa, kommendanten, har blivit befordrad och hela familjen måste flytta till ett annat hus långt borta, där det inte finns någon att leka med och inget att göra. Det är dystert och tråkigt på det nya stället och Bruno och hans storasyster vantrivs. Utanför huset finns ett taggtrådsstängsel, som sträcker sig så långt ögat kan nå och på andra sidan stängslet bor märkliga människor i randiga kläder. Det verkar inte vara särskilt trevligt på andra sidan, men Bruno, som drömmer om att bli upptäckare, bestämmer sig för att ta reda på mer om de underliga människorna bakom stängslet. Det är så han lär känna den jämnåriga pojken Schmuel, och äntligen får en vän att leka med. En vänskap som får katastrofala följder. Gripande om förintelsen i Auschwitz, sedd genom en nioårig pojkes ögon. "Genom att steg för steg leda oss till alltmer skakande upptäckter lyckas Boyne suggerera fram en stämning av hopplöshet och skräck, väl så stark som de överlevandes historier." SvD

A Dickensian ghost story from the bestselling author of The Heart’s Invisible Furies and A Ladder to the Sky “A wonderfully creepy novel…magnificently eerie.” —The Observer This House Is Haunted is a striking homage to the classic nineteenth-century ghost story. Set in Norfolk in 1867, Eliza Caine responds to an ad for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall. When she arrives at the hall, shaken by an unsettling disturbance that occurred during her travels, she is greeted by the two children now in her care, Isabella and Eustace. There is no adult present to represent her mysterious employer, and the children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room, another terrifying experience further reinforces the sense that something is very wrong. From the moment Eliza rises the following morning, her every step seems dogged by a malign presence that lives within Gaudlin’s walls. Eliza realizes that if she and the children are to survive its violent attentions, she must first uncover the hall’s long-buried secrets and confront the demons of its past. Clever, captivating, and witty, This House Is Haunted is pure entertainment with a catch.

In 1943 verhuist Bruno (9), een Duitse jongen, met zijn vader naar een vreemde plek waar joodse mensen in gestreepte pyjama's achter een hek leven. Bruno sluit vriendschap met Shmuel, die aan de andere kant van het hek woont. Vanaf ca. 15 jaar.

From the author of The Absolutist, a propulsive novel of the Russian Revolution and the fate of the Romanovs. Part love story, part historical epic, part tragedy, The House of Special Purpose illuminates an empire at the end of its reign. Eighty-year-old Georgy Jachmenev is haunted by his past—a past of death, suffering, and scandal that will stay with him until the end of his days. Living in England with his beloved wife, Zoya, Georgy prepares to make one final journey back to the Russia he once knew and loved, the Russia that both destroyed and defined him. As Georgy remembers days gone by, we are transported to St. Petersburg, to the Winter Palace of the czar, in the early twentieth century—a time of change, threat, and bloody revolution. As Georgy overturns the most painful stone of all, we uncover the story of the house of special purpose.

Fábula de guerra poderosa e encantadora, O menino do pijama listrado foi publicado em mais de vinte países e teve mais de 6 milhões de cópias vendidas em todo o mundo. Bruno tem nove anos e não sabe nada sobre o Holocausto e a Solução Final contra os judeus. Também não faz idéia que seu país está em guerra com boa parte da Europa, e muito menos que sua família está envolvida no conflito. Na verdade, Bruno sabe apenas que foi obrigado a abandonar a espaçosa casa em que vivia em Berlim e a mudar-se para uma região desolada, onde ele não tem ninguém para brincar nem nada para fazer. Da janela do quarto, Bruno pode ver uma cerca, e para além dela centenas de pessoas de pijama, que sempre o deixam com frio na barriga. Em uma de suas andanças Bruno conhece Shmuel, um garoto do outro lado da cerca que curiosamente nasceu no mesmo dia que ele. Conforme a amizade dos dois se intensifica, Bruno vai aos poucos tentando elucidar o mistério que ronda as atividades de seu pai. O menino do pijama listrado é uma fábula sobre amizade em tempos de guerra, e sobre o que acontece quando a inocência é colocada diante de um monstro terrível e inimaginável. * Leitura obrigatória do vestibular da UERJ. "Um livro maravilhoso." - The Guardian "Intenso e perturbador [...] pode-se tornar uma introdução tão memorável ao tema como O diário de Anne Frank foi em sua época." - USA Today "Um livro tão simples e tão bem escrito que beira a perfeição." - The Irish Independent

Inglaterra, setembro de 1919. Tristan Sadler, vinte e um anos, toma o trem de Londres a Norwich para entregar algumas cartas à irmã mais velha de William Bancroft, soldado com quem combateu na Grande Guerra. As cartas, porém, não são o verdadeiro motivo da viagem de Tristan. Ele já não suporta o peso de um segredo que carrega no fundo de sua alma, e está desesperado para se livrar desse fardo, revelando tudo a Marian Bancroft. Resta saber se o antigo combatente terá coragem para tanto. Enquanto reconta os detalhes sombrios de uma guerra que para ele perdeu o sentido, Tristan fala também de sua amizade com Will, desde o campo de treinamento em Aldershot, onde se encontraram pela primeira vez, até o período que passaram juntos nas trincheiras do norte da França. O leitor testemunha o relato de uma relação intensa e complicada, que proporcionou alegrias e descobertas, mas também foi motivo de muita dor e desespero. O pacifista é uma história de amor e de guerra que se insere na tradição do romance Reparação, de Ian McEwan. Nada é o que parece nesta trama envolvente e vigorosa, que revela as consequências de uma vida tragicamente marcada pelo silêncio. Com uma abordagem original e relevante para o nosso tempo, o autor do best-seller internacional O menino do pijama listrado revisita neste romance o universo da guerra, tendo dessa vez como pano de fundo a Primeira Guerra Mundial. Sensível e engenhoso, John Boyne esmiúça um dos capítulos mais traumáticos da história da humanidade pela perspectiva de dois jovens soldados que lutam, acima de tudo, contra a complexidade de suas emoções.