The Boy I Love

By Author / Illustrator

William Hussey

Genre

LBGTQ+

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Andersen Press

ISBN

9781839134821

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

23-01-2025

Synopsis

At just 19, Stephen has already survived a year at the front, and lost his first love. Now he is returning to the trenches to lead a platoon, despite his wounds.

Broken-hearted from the loss of his first love, Stephen wonders what he's fighting for. Then he meets Private Danny McCormick, a smart, talented young recruit. From their first meeting, there's something undeniable between them - something forbidden by both society and the army.

Determined to protect Danny, Stephen must face down the prejudices and ignorance of his superiors as well as the onslaught of German shells and sniper fire. As the summer of 1916 ticks down to one big push on the Somme, can Stephen and Danny stay together - and will their love save them - or condemn them?

Praise for The Boy I Love: Lyrical, tender, and incredibly moving. William Hussey masterfully balances brutal realism with pockets of sincere hope and joy - Becky Albertalli. It's a tale from the past, with a message for today. A stunningly poignant, devastating, and ultimately beautiful tour-de-force - Simon James Green.

Reviews

Stephen

Can anything good come out of war? Set during a month of World War One, The Boy I Love is a powerful and emotional story following Second Lieutenant Stephen Wraxall. He is returning to the front line in France after recuperating from previous injuries sustained during the war, and is still haunted by the ghosts of his previous campaign. On the journey back to the frontline, he encounters Private Danny and, as they continue to the front, he realises that there is something indescribable between them - a something not acceptable in the army or society. But as the two work together and the big push of 1916 in the Somme gets closer, Stephen is determined to keep Danny safe for a long as he can. Yet some battles may be too big to keep people safe in, and some dangers are found closer to home in their own trenches.

The Boy I Love is an incredibly moving and powerful novel. Knowing the horror that awaited solders in WW1, I started reading this book full of foreboding and wondered if I would get through it. Yet the more I read, the more I was pulled into the story and wanted to know what would happen next. My heart went out to Stephen who, after already being injured back to the UK and losing most of his platoon, had to head back out to the front knowing what was waiting for him. Yet the light in the darkness for him is Danny, full of banter, kindness and determination. Watching their friendship and love develop in the trenches with the constant fear of death and discovery was beautiful and also breathtaking at times. Discovery would mean prison.

William Hussey carefully demonstrates the horrors of war - the human cost, life in the trenches, the terrible conditions, against the camaraderie of the soldiers together in that situation and the very human side of those involved. It gives a real insight into soldiers' lives during the war. I found the characters well written; Stephen piecing himself back together and preparing for another war effort; Danny, a kind, happy-go-lucky man thinking of others; through to Captain Beddows who is so creepy I couldn't help but dislike him!

There are hold-your-breath moments in this novel, too, none more so than when Stephen gets buried in a collapsed look out point, and when Stephen and Danny are caught up in a possible German tunnelling situation - the tension reading this was palpable! Yet there are also moments of great tenderness and kindness throughout - soldiers helping and looking out for each other, Danny singing a song to comfort a soldier.

There is also a glossary in the book which I found useful for checking various military and World War One terms.

The Boy I Love is a touching and poignant story, giving voice to soldiers of war and reminding us that even in the darkest of times, love can still win through. Recommended.

304 pages / Reviewed by Stephen Leitch, school librarian