The Oath

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

So for those of us not raised in the traditional British upper-class (therefore, uh, most of us) the idea of an all-male boarding school is caged in secrecy and brings up images of raucous boy behavior and hazing - and The Oath is like all of those nightmares brought to life in a suspenseful drama that makes readers wonder if they could survive the onslaught.

There’s three main characters who are “juniors” at a prestigious school in Northern England - Arthur, Ian and Jonathan. They soon find themselves the targets of a group of sadistic seniors, who put them through a series of torturous rituals. After one particularly gruesome event, the boys vow to avenge themselves, no matter what.

This particular school will give you chills as soon as you follow Jonathan and the others onto the train. It’s clear that they are at the bottom of the food chain and that those at the top are quite disturbed. I totally was cringing as they settled into the school and learned how things work. I was definitely sure I would have run for my life.

I found that I liked the trio and was really rooting for them. Especially after the episode that required them to make “the oath.” I was anxious to see if things were going to work out or if they would become victims of the school’s environment.

I have mixed emotions about the ending. I don’t want to say too much but I wish things had worked out a little more....judiciously. It seemed some people didn’t nessecarily get what they should have, so to speak.

But overall, this book was filled with suspense and really opened up a world that is pretty foreign to most of us. I enjoyed it very much and would read more from this author, definitely.

Great read about bullies and finding courage. This novel is graphic and frank in the torment boys receive in a British school. Excellent read to start conversations to take steps to end bullying.

This is the first book I have read from Michael L Lewis.

The book is set in an English all-boys boarding school during the mid 1950s. The focus is Trafalgar - a house within the school were reputations are important and history is upheld without question. Members of Trafalgar do not buck the system, they do not snitch, and the House Captains and prefects hand out the discipline the younger lads ("juniors") to keep them in line. Some are downright vicious in their relentless tormenting.

The characters are believable from the minute you are introduced as they board the train, destination school to start off the term. The pecking order is obvious - the Head Boys, prefects, older brothers calming younger brothers' nerves, the child leaving his parents for the first time. The nerves of some of the new starters are palpable and you wonder how some are going to make it through.

The book is chronologically told but divided into periods within the school term. Within the chapters a spotlight is on a different boy at time and examines that period through their lens. The characters Arthur Crown, Jonathan Simon, and Ian Gracey form a close bond and, following an incident with an older student establish The Oath which they swear in blood. They promise never to let anyone bully them again.

There are some darker themes within the book suicide, and loss and grief. There are some lighter moments as some of the boys find their way, and these are balanced by some attention to other hard hitting issues such as homosexuality, sex, and bullying. There is redemption and forgiveness of sorts and a little justice (without giving away too much of the plot)..

This book is suitable for teenagers, young adults and adults alike given the subject matter. It reminded me of a mature Harry Potter-esque story?

Thank you to Netgalley, Michael L Lewis, and Book Guild Publishing for providing me the opportunity to read this book. This book was published 28 February 2019.

I will be reviewing this on my instagram profile @aplace_inthesun in due course. I will also post to goodreads - the code is giving me an error.