Otis takes babies and money off desperate mothers, promising to deliver them to the Coram Foundling Hospital in London. Instead, he murders them and buries them by the roadside, to the helpless horror of his mentally ill son, Mish. When Melissa, beloved of Alexander Ashbrook and daughter of his governess becomes pregnant by him, her mother arranges for the Otis to take the child, telling Melissa it was stillborn. Alexander, not knowing Melissa's condition, has fled his home for a career in music. But Mish manages to save Melissa's baby, Aaron, and he grows up with Toby, the son of an African slave, inseparable friends. Toby is a plaything at the house of rich Mr Gaddarn, who is, in fact, Otis. When Mish sees Aaron and Alexander together, and realises the family link, he takes Aaron and Toby to Otis, who rejects them. A way must be found to rescue them, but a great friend must die before the family can be reunited.
Coram Boy
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Amazon Review
Eighteenth-century England is the setting for Jamilla Gavin's sweeping saga of growing-up, struggle, tradition and corruption. From an acorn of an idea about a real-life good Samaritan of yesteryear, the author has crafted a satisfying, if occasionally painful, novel that spans the lives of several fortunate and unfortunate young people of the day.
The author has researched her backdrop very well, and the atmospheric sights and sounds of the time are both vivid and captivating. Readers will smell the dirty streets and close-living of urban London, revel in the summer splendour of the finest country houses and then flinch when the harshness of life for the poorest souls is revealed in uncomfortable detail.
For in the late 1700s your circumstance of birth meant everything. Toby and Aaron may both find themselves living at Captain Thomas Coram's Hospital for parentless children, but their histories are as far apart as they could possibly be. Toby has been rescued from a life of slave labour in a faraway country; Aaron is the illegitimate son of the heir to a large country estate. They are watched over by Mish--a simple soul who has been with them since their arrival. His devotion to them is absolute, but his motives are not altogether straightforward. Could this curious man really be Meshak, the son of a wicked child-killer who was hanged at the gallows for his crimes?
Coram Boy is a glorious web of changing fortunes and subtle intrigues. There is tragedy and corruption, hope and evil. Sometimes brutal and sometimes unceasingly bleak, the genre of historical fiction has rarely been this good. It's undoubtedly the kind of book that wins awards. (Age 12 and over) --John McLay --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Brilliant, moving and ultimately compelling' - Whitbread Children's Book of the Year Judging Panel
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I was amazed top see that someone had posted a review claiming this book wasn't suitable for children. I am 12, I loved this book, and I have a nine year old sister who, although some of it went over her head, also thought it was brilliant! The parts that included dying babies were dealt with with sympathy, compassion and great care, although, yes, they were moving. The first half is about Meshak Gardiner, a 'simpleton' and son of a baby trader and peddlar; Alexander Ashbrook, a musical genius who leaves home because his father won't comtinue to allow him to train as a musician; Thomas Ledbury, Alexander's companion at Gloucester cathedral; and Melissa Milcote, who Alexander falls in love with.
The second part is about Meshak, now a man known as Mish, Alexander's son Aaron, and Toby, Aaron's friend at the Coram hospital. When Mr Gaddarn (who has another name- that person presumed dead) puts Toby to work in his house as 'a little black puppy' for the nobles to play with, Toby finds out he is shipping Coram children away as slaves and hareem girls. Aaron was apprenticed out to Mr Burney, a musician, because he shares his father's amazing musical talent, and he and Toby try to stop this. I was choked at the end... The only thing about this book I wasn't sure of was the coincidences, and the way everyone connected up. It was a very small world indeed! But Jamila Gavin made them make sense, at least. Read it, whatever your other tastes are- and if you are a parent, don't worry because any sensible, intelligent child of nine or above, or even eight, will be moved but certainly not disturbed.
The second part is about Meshak, now a man known as Mish, Alexander's son Aaron, and Toby, Aaron's friend at the Coram hospital. When Mr Gaddarn (who has another name- that person presumed dead) puts Toby to work in his house as 'a little black puppy' for the nobles to play with, Toby finds out he is shipping Coram children away as slaves and hareem girls. Aaron was apprenticed out to Mr Burney, a musician, because he shares his father's amazing musical talent, and he and Toby try to stop this. I was choked at the end... The only thing about this book I wasn't sure of was the coincidences, and the way everyone connected up. It was a very small world indeed! But Jamila Gavin made them make sense, at least. Read it, whatever your other tastes are- and if you are a parent, don't worry because any sensible, intelligent child of nine or above, or even eight, will be moved but certainly not disturbed.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Catfish
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is a moving tale of slavery, friendship and oppression that will surely appeal to adults even though the teenager is the primary target audience. It is written in simple language, but this takes nothing away from the horror of slavery, and is sure to touch the heart of every sensitive child (or adult!)It is pretty grim and sombre at times, and evil is constantly in danger of overthrowing everything that is good and humane, but hope and joy never cease to shine, however dimly, in this heart-warming story. If you get it for your kids, make sure you read it too!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought this book was great. It started slowly and took a while to get into the main story but once it got going I couldn’t put it down. It won the Whitbread Children’s Book Award and I am not surprised, it definitely deserved it.
The tale is expertly told to keep the readers interest and to make ‘The Coram Boy’ a real page turner. I would say that readers of all ages would enjoy this moving and eventful book. It is a unique story set in the 1700’s, beautifully crafted by Jamila Gavin to maintain your interest and create a vivid image of life in those times.
I would recommend this book to anyone, for an entertaining and amazingly well written novel. I loved the way the book takes two strands that tie up as you go through the book. ‘The Coram Boy’ takes you on a journey through the struggles of young people in the 1700’s and really sucks you into their world. It makes for a great read, I know you’ll enjoy it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read
I got this book as it is on the reading list for my university Childhood Literature course. As soon as I started reading it, I was hooked. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Exhausted
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
I recommended this to my mother. I love the way it is a gripping story set in a very historically plausible setting.
Published 1 month ago by L. Best-Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Coram Boy
An outstanding book. Often deeply shocking. It links themes of slavery, abandonment, the power of love and music into a saga spanning three generations. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Diana Riddick
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended read
A good read if slightly predictable; Gavin draws you in through gruesome description and tender relationships between friends and lovers.
Published 2 months ago by Emma Poll
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review
Starts a bit slow, but is a good read. My daughter is twelve and loved this book. Little bit scary, but a good read.
Published 3 months ago by kirsty
5.0 out of 5 stars
A VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING READ
A WONDERFUL TELLING OF A VERY DARK PERIOD IN OUR SOCIAL HISTORY, WHEN THERE WAS VERY LITTLE PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN
Published 4 months ago by JUDE
4.0 out of 5 stars
Coram Boy
This is a very touching story about how hard it was to be a child in 18th century London. It is a story about the Foundling Hospital and its benefactors and also of course... Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. Chandler
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good
I bought this book in 2006, as I find the subject matter very interesting, and I have just read it. It is a very sad and moving story, some of which I found shocking, but it is... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Eartha Josephine
4.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling, sad and thought provoking
Bought this book as I am going too see The Coram Boy at The Colston Hall in Bristol. I have really enjoyed it and found myself going to bed early so I could enjoy it is peace! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Jangle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read it otherwise you'll miss out !!!!
This is all together a FANTASTIC read, i loved it and wish to read more of her books.I like the way how the plot twists and turns and I love the fact that the first part is all... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Esther
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