Tin Man by Sarah Winman- book review!

Sarah Winman Tin Man- Book Review

A short but emotional read following the narrative journey of Ellis, a shy, young boy discovering his own body, sexuality and identity in this heart warming tale of love and romance.

Sarah Winman
Tin Man
2017
Publisher Tinder Press
ISBN 978-0735218727
226 Pages
Not quite the book I thought it was going to be. After reading Sarah Winman's 'When God was A Rabbit,' I was looking forward to another nostalgic tale. This one I didn't see coming. Exploring the difficulties of accepting homosexuality and the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s in London, my heart went out to the poor, trapped, character of Micheal on his journey for acceptance. 

 This is not a straightforward love story.

 It's hard and it's real. 

 Combined with Winman's talent for creating realistic characters, Ellis and Micheal were two I came to really care about and wanted to meet in real life! The haunting description of the AIDs ward in a London Hospital stayed with me for a while afterwards. At the end of the text she explains her choices in the novel. Her relentless pursuit for an honest narrative had her interviewing nurses on the frontline caring for young boys caught out by this pervasive and destructive disease. 

 Despite its difficult subject matter, it is still an enjoyable read that genuinely leaves you caring for the future of its characters, as retrospective narratives collide at the end of the novel.

 A short and easy read that got my Summer reading off with a bang this year! Perfect size to pop in your bag for the plane journey...now...where did I put my sunglasses?


Overall Verdict?

 4 BookBugs out of 5

 Tissues on standby!

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