Julie Hearn's latest gripping novel opens on the day World War Two begins.
Rowan is thirteen and loves reading the American Superman comics. He has a somewhat bohemian family, but even in this context Rowan's behaviour seems odd. He is anxious, he worries about things and at times his thoughts get beyond his control. At worst a voice in his head causes him to lash out, to stop whatever it is that seems so wrong. Sadly these episodes are happening more frequently and the family are worried that there will be a time when Rowan is a danger to himself or to someone else.
So whilst other children are sent to the country Rowan goes to a hospital where the Doctors are sure they can 'cure' him of what they quickly diagnose as schizophrenia. Rowan is considered an ideal candidate for their trials of electric shock therapy, and the attitude of the doctors towards the patients and their treatment is startling.
As Rowan spends the months recovering from his treatment we follow the experiences of the other patients in his ward - Dorothea is Rowan's age, outspoken and talented and she sees angels, whilst John is suffering the after effects of his experiences of the First World War. We also learn more about Von Metzer, the German doctor who is trialling this new treatment. His intentions are good but as he realises that the Director of the hospital is mainly concerned with image and future funding, he begins to question the procedures and his role there.
Julie Hearn cleverly twists the various threads in this story of Rowan and his fellow inmates with the Christmas Play the nurses insist the patients enact, and the wider picture of the war. Our attitudes and assumptions are challenged as we come to care about Rowan and friends and we question the treatment of the mentally ill in our not too distant past and our present. This is a book for discussion; it has dark threads and issues that need confronting, but all has been handled in Julie Hearn's skilful and sensitive way and she ensures there is a balance of light and hope too.
An exceptional, not-to-be-missed novel for all young people and adults alike.