An Observer, Guardian, Financial Times, Irish Times, Irish Independent, Big Issue and Strong Words Pick of the Year

'This is a book that tilts the world' STYLIST

'A gripping, heartbreaking tale of uncomfortable histories and the resilience of love' GRAHAM NORTON

'I want you to read this ... I enjoy a lot of books but few stay with me like this has' PHILIPPA PERRY

'Completely gripping and profoundly moving' MAGGIE O'FARRELL

'Very beautiful. Only a truly wise and kind person could write such a book' MAX PORTER

'Heart-wrenching ... redemptive and full of love' JOJO MOYES

A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK AT BEDTIME

The book that will change the way you see the world.

2010. Sixteen-year-old outsider Willem just wants to be left alone with his books and his dog. Worried he's not turning out right, his ma and her boyfriend send him to New Dawn Safari Training Camp. Here they 'make men out of boys'. Guaranteed.

1901. The height of the second Boer War in South Africa. Sarah van der Watt and her son are taken from their farm by force to Bloemfontein Concentration Camp where, the English promise: they will be safe.